Kentucky Chamber Elects Kim Halbauer as New Chair

The regional president of Fifth Third Bank will lead the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2026-2027 term.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People

Kentucky Chamber Elects Kim Halbauer as New Chair

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Kim Halbauer has been elected to serve as the chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2026-2027 term. She succeeds outgoing chair Condrad Daniels.

Why it matters

The appointment places a seasoned financial executive at the helm of the organization representing businesses across the state. Her leadership is expected to guide the group throughout the upcoming cycle.

Kim Halbauer brings three decades of experience at Fifth Third Bank to the role, having previously managed $12 billion in assets for more than 3,000 clients.

The players

Kim Halbauer

She is the regional president of Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky and a graduate of Thomas More University.

Les Fugate

He has been appointed as the chair-elect of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for 2027.

Condrad Daniels

He served as the chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2025-2026 term.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

This is a business organization that serves as the collective voice for companies throughout Kentucky.

The details

Halbauer, who has served as regional president of Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky since 2020, was selected alongside a new executive committee and board of directors. Les Fugate has also been named chair-elect for 2027 to continue the leadership transition.

2020: Kim Halbauer became regional president of Fifth Third Bank.
2025-2026: Condrad Daniels served as the chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
2026-2027: Kim Halbauer will serve her term as the chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Market Landscape

This election follows the established leadership rotation of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce board governance structure. The transition ensures continuity for the statewide business advocacy group as it navigates the current economic environment.

For business owners and members across the state, this leadership change signals a shift in the primary advocacy voice for regional corporate interests. Members can expect a new focus on strategic initiatives led by the incoming executive team.

The takeaway

Effective organizational leadership is vital for navigating the complex interests of statewide business communities. Professionals looking to advance in their own careers can look to Halbauer’s three-decade tenure at a single institution as a model for sustained industry expertise.