The Northern Kentucky Young Professionals (NKYP) will honor Chad Bilz, Vice President at Houchens Insurance Group, with its Legend Award at the 2024 Next Generation Leader Awards (NGLAs).
Taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11 at the Madison Event Center (700 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011), the NGLAs recognize and honor young professionals under the age of 40 in eight categories based on two criteria: (1) For their commitment and significant contributions to the community, and (2) Earning noteworthy accomplishments within their professional field. Bilz will be honored at the event with the Legend Award, given to a community leader in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region “who has continued to inspire leadership and career success among young professionals” throughout their career.
A Villa Hills native, Bilz earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Finance from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and currently leads the Commercial Property and Casualty Sales team at Houchens Insurance Group. He began his insurance sales career in 1994 and has continued to work in the field on both a local and national level. From 2015 to 2020, Bilz operated his own agency, which merged with Houchens Insurance Group in October 2020. Bilz also works as an instructor of insurance at the National Alliance and previously worked as an adjunct professor at NKU.
Bilz served as the president of LEGACY (now known as NKYP) in 2007 and was a key figure in fostering the merger with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that has resulted in the long-term success of the NKYP program.
“Through his commitment to serving various local organizations and starting his own business right here in Northern Kentucky, Chad Bilz has made a tremendous impact in our region,” said Jimmy Beatrice, Benefits Advisor at Business Benefits, Inc. and NKYP Chair. “By helping transform NKYP into what it is today, Chad has played a vital role in giving young professionals opportunities to grow as leaders both in business and the community. We are honored to celebrate him with this year’s Legend Award.”
A member of the NKU College of Business Advisory Board, Bilz also serves on the boards of multiple local organizations, including Professional Insurance Agents of Kentucky and Girl Scouts of Kentucky Wilderness Road, with previous board experience with the Northern Kentucky University Foundation, Lloyd Memorial High School Alumni Association, and The Parish Kitchen. Bilz is a member of the Business Courier’s 2006 40 Under Forty class and Leadership Northern Kentucky’s Class of 1999.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the Northern Kentucky Young Professionals,” said Bilz. “I look back at my time serving our region through LEGACY with fondness and cherish the rewarding experiences that the program gave me. It is incredible to see how the organization has continued to grow and thrive, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to play a part in fostering that growth.”
Cost to attend the event is $50; a discounted rate of $40 is available for NKYP members. More information and registration details are available at NKYChamber.com/events.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about NKYP, contact Kyle Frizzell at kfrizzell@nkychamber.com.
Sponsors include:
NKYP Presenting Sponsor: St. Elizabeth Healthcare
NKYP Networking Sponsor: Dean Dorton
NKYP Event Sponsors: CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting, Scooter Media, and YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
NGLA Media Partner: Cincinnati Business Courier
