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Amy Jackson, vice president for marketing and insurance services at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in Louisville, has been named president and chief executive officer of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce effective June 4.

Jackson, who grew up on a farm near Manhattan, Kan., has lived in Hancock County since 2004.

She worked in the Farm Credit Services office in Owensboro from 2004 to 2006.

"She commands a room when she's in it," Michael F. Beckwith, the chamber's board chairman, said Friday. "Of the 40-plus candidates who applied, she, by far, stood out as a leader."

"I couldn't be more excited," Jackson said in a telephone interview. "I've missed being part of the Owensboro community. We want to be more involved with the business community."

She replaces Jody Wassmer, who resigned in October after nearly six years in the post.

Debbie Benedek has served as interim president and CEO.

"Debbie will work with Amy to ensure a smooth transition," Beckwith said. "The entire board is extremely grateful for the leadership Debbie has provided the chamber."

Beckwith's work gave the search committee time to ensure that it found the right leader for the future, he said.

Jackson, Beckwith said, has had success rising through the ranks in a 13-year career with Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, "an $18 billion agriculture-lending cooperative that serves more than 95,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee," according to its website.

The local chamber has nearly 1,000 members.

"We are excited about the energy and visionary leadership skills Amy will bring to the role," Beckwith said. "She has a proven track record of business leadership and will provide an innovative and relationship-building perspective to the chamber, which is what we were looking for in our new leader."

Jackson earned her bachelor's degree in agriculture at Kansas State University.

"I still own a farm back home with my father," she said. "I do love my (current) job, but this is an exciting opportunity."

Jackson and her husband, Chris, have one daughter. He's a plumber/pipefitter working on the Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant near Hawesville.

"There's a lot of excitement now in Owensboro, and I want to be a part of it," Jackson said.

The local chamber celebrates its 100th anniversary next year. That will be one of the first projects Jackson tackles.

She will be welcomed officially at the June 7 Rooster Booster Breakfast at the Hines Center in Philpot.

Keith Lawrence, 691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com