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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 (2024): 

  1. Chair, Jim McNeely, CertaPro Painters
  2. Immediate Past Chair, Betsy Brucker Harris, Armacell
  3. Lee Bowman, The Legion Company, LLC
  4. Brett Bushnell, Compass
  5. Rick Canavan, Duke Energy
  6. Matt Demson, Allen Tate Companies
  7. Alan Dickinson, Clarity Legal Group
  8. Kelly Dockham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  9. Daniel Eller, Eller Capital Partners
  10. Greg Fitch, Fearrington Village
  11. Holly Fraccaro, Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
  12. Vakesia Graves, Duke Energy
  13. Dan Jewell, Thomas & Hutton
  14. Roxana Keesler, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  15. James Kilbourne, Allen Stahl + Kilbourne
  16. Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation
  17. Earl Lewellyn, Kimley-Horn
  18. John B. Morris III, Morris Commercial
  19. Aaron Nelson, The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
  20. John Perry, Fidelity Bank
  21. Philip Post, PPE, Philip Post Engineering Inc.
  22. Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
  23. Robert (Bob) Saunders, Brooks Pierce
  24. Christopher Simmons, Duke University
  25. Mauricio Solano, El Centro Hispano
  26. Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
  27. Ryan Stewart, Trinsic Residential
  28. Terri Turner, Weaver Street Realty
  29. Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties (Past Chair)
  30. Julia Wright, Dominion Energy
  31. Emily Ziegler, UNC Health and UNC REX Healthcare

*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.