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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 (2023): 

  1. Chair, Betsy Brucker Harris, Armacell
  2. Vice Chair, Jim McNeely, SERVPRO of Orange and South Durham Counties
  3. Lee Bowman, The Legion Company, LLC
  4. Brett Bushnell, Compass
  5. Rick Canavan, Duke Energy
  6. Kelly Mixon Dockham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  7. Daniel Eller, Eller Capital Partners
  8. Greg Fitch, Fitch Creations, Inc., dba Fearrington Village
  9. Holly Fraccaro, Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
  10. Dan Jewell, Coulter Jewell Thames - now an affiliate of Thomas & Hutton
  11. Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation
  12. Earl Lewellyn, Kimley-Horn
  13. John B. Morris III, Morris Commercial
  14. Aaron Nelson, The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
  15. John Perry, Fidelity Bank
  16. Philip Post, Philip Post, PPE Engineering
  17. Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
  18. Robert (Bob) Saunders, Brooks Pierce
  19. Christopher Simmons, Duke University
  20. Mauricio Solano, El Centro Hispano
  21. Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
  22. Terri Turner, Weaver Street Realty
  23. Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties (Past Chair)
  24. Julia Wright, Dominion Energy
  25. Emily Ziegler, UNC Health and 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:

  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 Vice President for External Affairs, Katie Loovis, at (919) 696-0781 (cell).