BY MIKE BOYER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Covington's newest corporate citizen, officially moves into its new digs in RiverCenter I on Jan. 4.
"I've already called a meeting there for 9 a.m. that morning," said Paul W. Chellgren, Ashland chairman and chief executive, during an interview Thursday.
The specialty chemical and automotive products company that has called the Ashland, Ky., area home for 74 years will bring 110 top executives and other managers who will occupy the 15th, 16th and 17th floors and part of the eighth floor of the 19-story office tower.
Mr. Chellgren said Ashland officials are looking forward to the move to the Greater Cincinnati area, which because of its location and international
airport beat out Lexington and Columbus as the corporation's new headquarters.
"I think our people are looking forward to (the move)," he said. "Cincinnati has a reservoir of good feeling with our people. They follow its sports teams, they visit the zoo and its museums. The town's been very welcoming to me."
He said a handful of executives have already moved to Northern Kentucky and are commuting to Ashland, about 2 1/2 hours to the east, until the new headquarters are ready.
Ashland, which will maintain a headquarters support organization employing about 200 in Ashland, will also bring an active corporate culture to Cincinnati.
"Ashland since its founding in 1924 has been an engaged, involved company. That's our style," he said. "We'll be a participant and a player. We want to be involved in the public process."
Mr. Chellgren made headlines earlier this week when he said Kentucky officials should promote the bustling triangle between Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville for economic development.
"We should try to sell things we have that are easy sells, like Northern Kentucky," he said.
Mr. Chellgren will be the keynote speaker for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce's annual luncheon on Nov. 13. He said he has also agreed to join the board of the Taft Museum.
"The Taft is a little gem of a facility," he said.
