Berea, Kentucky
Chad Hembree
Writer. Director. Performer. Community Leader.
A storyteller and community leader rooted in Berea, Kentucky — writing, directing, performing, and bringing people together on stage and throughout the community.
The Story
Rooted in Berea, at home on every stage
Chad Hembree is a minister, playwright, theater executive, and storyteller rooted in Berea, Kentucky. His life’s work moves between ministry, the stage, the radio mic, and civic life — always centered on people, meaningful work, and the stories that bring communities together.
An ordained minister, Chad performs weddings, offers pastoral counseling, and leads Spotlight on Faith. He is the Executive Director of both Spotlight Acting School and The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea, as well as the founder and Executive Director of the Bluegrass Players community theater troupe.
He is the founder, editor, and lead writer of BereaOnline.com, an active playwright with dozens of performed plays, and a media veteran — an 18-year radio host of the coast-to-coast syndicated Tech Talk with Chad Hembree broadcast from WEKY, and a technology columnist since 1995.
Before the stage, Chad built a career in technology: CEO of CH Business Systems, Inc. (with notable clients including NASA and MIT) and DataStar Computer Services, Inc., Vice President of Micro Computer Analysts in Lexington, and IT Manager for Hospice Care Plus. A certified network engineer, he serves his own companies today.
Civic life runs deep. Chad is a member and officer of the Berea Lions Club (a former president and zone chair), a member of the Berea Chamber of Commerce (a former board member), and currently serves on the Madison County Board of Ethics. He has served as Chair of the Berea Human Rights Commission and as a Berea City Council member.
Above all, Chad is a husband and a father.
At a Glance
- Minister — Weddings, pastoral counseling & Spotlight on Faith
- Playwright — Writing stories for the stage
- Theater — Leads Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse & Bluegrass Players
- Media — Former radio host, technology columnist & BereaOnline founder
- Civic — Community leadership and public service
- Tech — A career in technology, business & network engineering
- Family — Husband & father
- Home — Berea, Kentucky
On Stage
The man behind the roles
ActingSanta in Elf, the musical
DirectingChristmas show with Jeremy Grant
Radio HostTech Talk with Chad Hembree
PlaywrightWriting for the stage
A Lifelong Look
The Chad Shirt
At some point, bold patterned shirts stopped being just something Chad wore and became part of the brand. Around Spotlight, they’re known as Chad shirts — and people have even been known to dress up like him in their own bold shirts. The funny part is that this isn’t new. Chad has been committed to the look for most of his life.
Chad at the Cincinnati Museum CenterA Chad shirt, stage-ready.
Young, wild shirtThe tradition was already underway.
Style shirtStill committed to the look.
What I Do
Many roles, one life of service
The many ways Chad creates, leads, and serves.
✝️ Faith & Ministry
Weddings, pastoral counseling & faith
- Weddings & Pastoral Counseling
Offers wedding ministry and pastoral counseling - Spotlight on Faith
Founder & leader
🎭 Theater & the Arts
Directing, performing & theater leadership
- Executive Director — Spotlight Acting School
Training the next generation of performers - Executive Director — The Spotlight Playhouse
Berea, KY community stage - Founder & Executive Director — Bluegrass Players
Community theater troupe - Playwright
Dozens of performed plays
🎙️ Media & Storytelling
On air & on the page
- Radio Host — Tech Talk with Chad Hembree
18 years, coast-to-coast syndication, broadcast from WEKY - Technology Columnist
Covering tech news since 1995 - Founder, Editor & Lead Writer — BereaOnline.com
Berea’s community news
🏛️ Community & Civic
Serving the bluegrass
- Berea Lions Club
Member & officer — former president (multiple terms), zone chair - Berea Chamber of Commerce
Member — former board member (multiple terms) - Madison County Board of Ethics
Current member - Berea Human Rights Commission
Former Chair - Berea City Council
Former member
💻 Technology
Builder & engineer
- CEO — CH Business Systems, Inc.
Computer manufacturing & support; clients incl. NASA & MIT - CEO — DataStar Computer Services, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH to Titusville, FL — serving the Southeast - Vice President — Micro Computer Analysts
Lexington, KY - IT Manager — Hospice Care Plus
Chair, KAHPC Information Technology Committee - Certified Network Engineer
Serving his own companies
🏡 Family
The foundation
- Husband
- Father
Family
The people at the center
Behind the stages, stories, businesses, and community work is Chad’s family. He is a husband to Letha and a father, and family remains the foundation beneath everything else he does.
The Hembree familyThe people at the center of it all.
Chad and LethaWorking on our fourth decade together.
My World
Where the work lives
The organizations and stages Chad is part of — step into each one.
SAS
Spotlight Acting School
Where young performers find their voice — training rooted in craft and community.
SP
The Spotlight Playhouse
A community stage in the heart of Berea, KY — the home of local theater.
BGP
The Bluegrass Players
Adult community theater bringing the classics to the bluegrass stage.
BOL
BereaOnline.com
Berea’s community news and stories, told by and for the people who live here.
CH
Chad Hembree, Bluegrass Storyteller
Home to Chad’s plays — the bluegrass storyteller’s writing and productions.
SoF
Spotlight on Faith
Faith-focused stories and ministry from the heart of the bluegrass.
Music
Music has always been part of the story
Chad is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist who has performed in eight countries. While performing in Nashville in his youth, he was offered a job by the late, great Roy Acuff. Instead, Chad chose to follow his family into the technology field — a decision that shaped another major chapter of his career.
Guitar and vocalsMusic has carried Chad around the world.
Berea Arena TheaterThe stage was always part of the journey.
The Journey
The road so far
Milestones from a life in technology, ministry, and the arts.
Education
A lifelong pursuit of learning
Chad has spent much of his life pursuing education, and that pursuit continues today. His studies have included college, seminary, the performing arts, and divinity, along with extensive professional training and technology certifications. Learning remains one of his enduring interests, both personally and professionally.
Technology
Early technology career
Chad began his technology career with his family’s company, Micro Computer Analysts of Lexington, commonly known as MCA. He started as a support specialist and worked his way up to Vice President before leaving the family business to become CEO of CH Business Systems.
Technology
Building companies
Chad became CEO of CH Business Systems, Inc., a computer manufacturing and support company whose clients included NASA and MIT. He later founded and led DataStar Computer Services, Inc., serving clients across much of the Southeast.
Technology
Choosing a slower pace
After years of constant travel and growing responsibilities through DataStar, Chad chose to step away from the pace of running a regional technology company. Hospice Care Plus was initially one of his technology clients, but the relationship eventually led him to join the organization as its IT Manager. He later took on leadership in statewide healthcare technology initiatives, turning a search for a slower pace into another meaningful chapter of work.
On Air
Tech Talk with Chad Hembree
Radio host for 18 years — coast-to-coast in syndication, broadcast from WEKY.
Ministry
Youth & the stage
Youth Minister of Berea United Methodist Church under Pastor Val Johnson and Pastor Gary Rowan; Children’s Choir Director and Theatrical Director at Berea Baptist Church under Pastor John Chapman.
Spotlight Acting School
Spotlight Acting School
In 2004, Chad’s dear friend Kathie J.R. Bettler started Spotlight Acting School. Although Chad was not involved in rehearsals or directly involved with the students, he and Kathie stayed in constant communication. During their weekly lunches, they discussed every aspect of the business, and Chad offered advice and support from the business side. He even joined Kathie in looking for theater space and places for the school to perform.
Later, Letha became the school’s pianist, giving Chad an even closer connection to the work. He enjoyed watching his dear friend and his wife build something meaningful together while he experienced theater from the outside.
When Kathie died suddenly from an aneurysm in 2013, her family asked Chad to take over the business. With Letha’s help, he did. Taking on Spotlight Acting School drew him back into the performing arts and changed the direction of his life. He would rather have his friend back, but the opportunity Kathie left behind became a blessing that brought greater happiness and purpose to every part of his life.
Today
Director, minister, playwright & community leader
Today, Chad serves as a director, minister, playwright, and community leader, continuing his work through the Spotlight family of theater, BereaOnline, Bluegrass Players, and Spotlight on Faith.
Recognition
Awards & honors
A selection of the recognition Chad has received.
🎭 Performing Arts & Music
- AACT Spotlight Award
- Music City Classic — 2nd Place
Nashville, TN - Kentucky All-State Choir
- Kentucky All-Collegiate Choir
- Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts
Accepted 1992
🏛️ Civic & Business
- President’s Award
Berea Chamber of Commerce - Business of the Year
The Spotlight Playhouse · Berea Chamber of Commerce - KLEF Life Patron
💻 Technology & Web
Professional Technology Credentials
- Webby Award — Writing & Web Design
Before theater and ministry became the center of his work, Chad built his career as a certified technology professional. His credentials included Microsoft, Novell, IBM, Lotus, and CompTIA certifications, along with specialized expertise in OS/2 Warp systems and server administration.
- MCSE — Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
- Certified Novell Engineer (CNE)
- OS/2 Warp System Engineer / Specialist
- OS/2 Warp Server Administration & Engineering
- IBM Certified Systems Expert — OS/2 Warp Server for e-business
- CompTIA A+
- CLP — Certified Lotus Professional
- IBM Certified System Administrator / Application Developer
Let’s connect
Chad welcomes inquiries about weddings, theater, collaboration, community projects, or simply saying hello.
Direct contact
chad@SpotlightActingSchool.com
859-756-0011