Skip to content
The Campaign
Small Business Health Insurance
Conference Room
Email
919-967-7075

Get Connected & Stay Informed

Access networks, knowledge, and a team of professionals dedicated to helping you thrive.

Lower Your Business Expenses

Save money on small business health and dental services, credit card processing fees, workers’ comp coverage and more.

Increase Your Community Impact

Successful businesses create successful communities and we are passionate about both. Get informed, get engaged, and make your voice heard.

View the 2026 Member Engagement Guide

Government Affairs Committee

Member Promise: The Chamber is committed to advocating for the business interests of Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

Committee Governance: The Government Affairs Committee helps shape and guide The Chamber's policy positions and advocacy efforts. The Committee is a voluntary group of diverse Chamber members with interests and experience in economic, workforce, community, and business development at the local, regional, state, and/or federal level.

Committee Charge: The Chamber Board of Directors appoints Government Affairs Committee members to one-year terms. Committee members convene monthly to track issues, recommend policy positions, and advocate for the business interests of Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. The Committee also coordinates the Critical Issues Series, "Our Voice" blogs, and monthly e-newsletter updates to members.

Committee Members (2026): 

  1. Committee Chair: James Kilbourne, Allen Stahl + Kilbourne
  2. Immediate Past Chair: Jim McNeely, Restoration 1
  3. Mark Anna, RESOLUTE Building Company
  4. Lee Bowman, Legion Land & Development
  5. Brett Bushnell, Compass
  6. Matt Demson, Allen Tate Companies
  7. Holly Fraccaro, HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
  8. Betsy Harris, Armacell
  9. Daniel Jewell, Thomas & Hutton
  10. Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Park
  11. John Morris, Morris Commercial
  12. Aaron Nelson, The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
  13. John Perry, Fidelity Bank
  14. Jennifer Player, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
  15. Philip Post, Philip Post Engineering, Inc.
  16. Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
  17. Bob Saunders, Brooks Pierce Law Firm
  18. Chris Simmons, Duke University
  19. Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
  20. Sara Stephens, Duke Energy
  21. Ivy Taylor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  22. Ray Trapp, Families and Communities Rising
  23. Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties
  24. Julia Wright, Enbridge Gas North Carolina
  25. Emily Ziegler, UNC Health

*Staffed by Ian Scott, Government Affairs and Advocacy, and Luke Jackson, Member and Community Advancement Coordinator, The Chamber

Values: Four values guide the Chamber's approach to public policy, advocacy, and government affairs. We believe:

  1. Diversity builds a more resilient economy. We oppose discrimination in all forms.
  2. The progressive reputation of our community is an asset and part of our competitive advantage.
  3. Our individual communities benefit from the success of each other and the region.
  4. Cooperation and collaboration between and among business, government, academia, and residents is civics at its best

Pillars: The Chamber's Policy Platform has four priority areas known as pillars. We advocate for:

  1. Economic Development
  2. Community Development
  3. Workforce Development
  4. Business Development

Questions: For questions about The Chamber's public policy, advocacy, and government affairs, contact Ian Scott, Vice President for Advocacy.