Government Affairs Committee
Member Promise: The Chamber is committed to advocating for the business interests of Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.
Governance: The Government Affairs Committee helps shape and guide the Chamber's policy positions and advocacy. The Committee is a voluntary group of diverse Chamber members with interests and experience in public policy, economic and workforce development, the economy, and/or elections at the local, regional, state, and 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 and "Our Voice" weekly blogs and monthly updates to members.
Committee Members (2022):
- Chair, Betsy Brucker Harris, Armacell
- Lee Bowman, The Legion Company, LLC
- Brett Bushnell, Tri Local Realty LLC (Past Chair)
- Rick Canavan, Duke Energy
- Gloria De Los Santos, El Centro Hispano
- Kelly Mixon Dockham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Daniel Eller, Eller Capital Partners
- Greg Fitch, Fitch Creations, Inc., dba Fearrington Village
- Holly Fraccaro, Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
- Dan Jewell, Coulter Jewell Thames, PA
- Dan Lehman, UNC Health Care
- Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation
- Earl Lewellyn, Kimley-Horn
- Jim McNeely, ServPro of Orange and South Durham Counties
- John B. Morris III, Morris Commercial
- Matt Nash, Chapel Hill Country Club
- Aaron Nelson, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
- John Perry, Fidelity Bank
- Philip Post, Philip Post, PPE Engineering
- Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
- Robert (Bob) Saunders, Brooks Pierce
- Christopher Simmons, Duke University
- Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
- Terri Turner, Weaver Street Realty
- Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties (Past Chair)
- Julia Wright, Dominion Energy
- Emily Ziegler, UNC Rex Healthcare
*Staffed by Katie Loovis, Vice President for External Affairs, The Chamber
Values: Four values guide the Chamber's approach to public policy, advocacy, and government affairs. We believe:
- Diversity builds a more resilient economy. We oppose discrimination in all forms.
- The progressive reputation of our community is an asset and part of our competitive advantage.
- Our individual communities benefit from the success of each other and the region.
- 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 are determined to:
- Retain, recruit, and grow employers
- Develop a talented workforce
- Improve business climate and regulatory environment
- Build and maintain infrastructure
Questions: For questions about The Chamber's public policy, advocacy, and government affairs, contact The Chamber Vice President for External Affairs, Katie Loovis, at (919) 696-0781 (cell).