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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 (2025): 

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

*Staffed by Ian Scott, Vice President for Advocacy, 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.