Four honored as first inductees into Regional Technology Hall of Fame
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Henry “Buddy” Steen, Ron Bunch, Jeremy Jacobs, and Shawn Rubel were officially inducted as the first members of the Regional Technology Council’s Technology Hall of Fame, honoring decades of innovation in South Central Kentucky.
At the summit attended by supporters from across the region, the four were celebrated not just for their successes but for the persistence and sacrifices that defined their journeys.
“Inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover it,” said Sam Ford, founder of Innovengine. “Each of these entrepreneurs spent 20 or more years building companies through failures and lessons learned.”
Jeremey Jacobs, CEO of Undesked, recalled a difficult period when he found himself on food stamps, calling it “the most motivating moment” of his life after his wife urged him to persevere.
For Steen, the sacrifices were personal. “My daughter asked if I was coming to dinner. I told her I’d kiss her in her sleep—she already knew,” he shared. Shawn Rubel, founder and CEO of Eezy, emphasized the role of community: “You can’t do it alone—you need help, you need resources.”
The Hall of Fame is part of a broader initiative by the WKU Innovation Campus to foster a thriving startup culture in the region. Organizers say the honor won’t be a one-time event, as the council plans to induct future classes and highlight growing tech ventures across South Central Kentucky.
