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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 (2021): 

  1. Chair, Betsy Brucker Harris, Armacell
  2. Immediate Past Chair, Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties
  3. Manish Atma, Atma Hotel Group
  4. Chad Beck, Kimley-Horn
  5. Brett Bushnell, Tri Local Realty LLC
  6. Kelly Mixon Dockham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  7. Daniel Eller, Eller Capital Partners
  8. Holly Fraccaro, HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
  9. Rick Canavan, Duke Energy
  10. Dan Jewell, Coulter Jewell Thames, PA
  11. Dan Lehman, UNC Health Care
  12. Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation
  13. Scott Maitland, TOPO Spirits, LLC
  14. Nathan Milian, Carr Mill Mall
  15. John B. Morris III, Morris Commercial
  16. Matt Nash, Chapel Hill Country Club
  17. Aaron Nelson, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
  18. John Perry, Fidelity Bank
  19. Roger Perry, East West Partners Management Co.
  20. Philip Post, Philip Post, PPE Engineering
  21. Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
  22. Robert (Bob) Saunders, Brooks Pierce
  23. Christopher Simmons, Duke University
  24. Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
  25. Terri Turner, Weaver Street Realty
  26. 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:

  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 are determined to:

  1. Retain, recruit, and grow employers
  2. Develop a talented workforce
  3. Improve business climate and regulatory environment
  4. 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).