Louisville's Economic Outlook: Seizing Opportunities and Overcoming Obstacles
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Join us for an in-depth look at Louisville's economic landscape. This panel discussion will feature local business leaders sharing their insights on how our city measures up to peer markets. They will examine opportunities for development, as well as barriers to growth.
This discussion is part of the Menard Family Lecture Series and is presented by the Center for Free Enterprise in the College of Business. It is free and open to all university students, faculty and staff, as well as the public. It is Cardinal Flight approved for Colleg of Business students.
Panelists:
Lance Mann, CPA, CGMA, CFE, Assurance Director & Louisville Market Leader, Dean Dorton
Lance Mann has more than 20 years' experience delivering assurance, risk management, internal audit and business advisory services across a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, construction and real estate. In addition to leading traditional audit and compliance engagements, he serves as a strategic advisor to middle-market companies, helping them navigate budgeting, financial management and long-term planning. His expertise also spans governance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, due diligence, fraud investigations and the design and assessment of internal controls.
Trevor Pawl, CEO, One Louisville
In Trevor Pawl's first year as CEO of One Louisville (2025), the official economic development organization and regional chamber of commerce, Louisville announced more than 2,700 new jobs and more than $3 billion in capital investment, a record for the city. Before coming to Louisville, Pawl was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as the state's first Chief Mobility Officer, where he led more than 80 public-private partnerships that secured more than $480 million for next-generation transportation projects. He also authored Michigan's first statewide mobility strategy, setting a course for the state's leadership in the global auto industry through 2030.
Matt Thornton, Principal, Thornton Capital
Matt Thornton served as President and CEO of Thornton's, a 200-unit convenience store chain in the Midwest and Southeast from 2001-2019. The company had revenues of $3 billion and was twice named Convenience Chain of the Year by industry trade publications. In 2019, Matt and his team negotiated the sale of the business to a newly formed joint venture between BP and ArcLight Capital partners. Retaining the entire Thornton's team and brand, it continues to be headquartered in Louisville. Following the sale, Matt established Thornton Capital, also headquartered in Louisville. The firm has a broad investment mandate with concentrations in real estate, public securities, private equity and venture capital.