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This text originally appeared as an OpEd in the News & Observer on Sept. 28, 2016. ​

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By Jill Wells Heath
2015/16 Chair, Chamber Board of Directors
President and CEO, CALYX Engineers + Consultants





Over the last few years, we’ve seen Wake County become a national hotspot for growth. New businesses and families continue to move here to the tune of a net increase of 64 people per day. I couldn’t be happier with the growth of talent and opportunity in Wake County and the Triangle.

As we look ahead, we have to ask: How do we keep this growth continuing for another 10 years, without compromising the quality of life that drew people here in the first place?

The answer is public transportation.

This election, voters have an opportunity to fund a world-class, modern and effective public transportation system for Wake County.

Our approved transit plan will make a real and lasting difference by increasing access to jobs, health care, education and more. Once transit is fully implemented, 70 percent of all jobs will be located within a half mile of a transit stop and bus service will expand to 19 hours a day.

The multimodal, network-based transit plan emphasizes frequent bus service, bus rapid transit and commuter rail. Bus rapid transit in high-traffic areas will incorporate dedicated bus lanes, level boarding platforms and other enhanced features that improve the speed and quality of service. Commuter rail service will provide welcome relief for commuters on I-40 by providing a peak hour alternative to freeway congestion.

A more connected transit system will help Wake County residents spend less time commuting and more time with their families. Even if you don’t ride a bus or train, many of your neighbors will. The quality of life we enjoy in Wake County is one of our strongest assets. Passing this transit plan will help maintain and improve it.

The bottom line is that this is the right time to act and the right plan to act on. Over 50 community organizations and businesses have already endorsed the plan, and the transit referendum to fund it: chambers of commerce, environmental and community groups, disability and affordable housing advocates, homebuilders and realtors, colleges and many more.
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I hope you’ll join me in voting for the transit referendum – located at the end of the ballot – this fall.

Learn more about the transit referendum and how you can help move Wake County forward here.

​Thanks to members of the Chamber’s 2015/16 Board of Directors and Executive Committee! These leaders were honored today at a joint meeting of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Board of Advisors.
 
Elected Members of the Board of Directors, Completing Three-year Terms:

• Sheila Ahler, Cherry Bekaert
• Karen Albritton, Capstrat
• Amy Baker, Ernst & Young LLP
• Jennifer Dunleavy, Accuro
• Jake Fehling, KFA Search
• Martha Frye, Nationwide Insurance
• Gary Greene, Greene Resources – will serve as 2016/17 vice chair of Communications
• Ravila Gupta, Umicore USA, Inc.
• Terrence Holt, Holt Brothers Construction, LLC
• David Liberatore, BSA LifeStructures, Inc
• Jason Smith, 18 Seaboard Restaurant
• Marirose Steigerwald, NC Community Foundation
• Greg Winkler, Wells Fargo – will serve as 2016/17 chair of the Board of Directors
• Terry Yeargan, DPR Construction, Inc. – will serve as 2016/17 vice chair of Government Affairs

 
Appointed Members of the Board of Directors, Completing One-year Terms:

• Melanie Dubis, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
• Virginia Parker, Bank of America
• Brian Reid, Paragon Bank
• Will Salmon, Marsh & McLennan Agency

 
Also Serving on the Board of Directors this Year:

• Chair of Leadership Raleigh, Jon Mize, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
• Chair of the Regional Transportation Alliance, Steve Brechbiel, Quintiles
• Chair of the Young Professionals Network, Blair Reynolds, WakeMed Foundation

 
2015/16 Executive Committee:

• Sheila Ahler, Cherry Bekaert  – vice chair of Government Affairs for two years; concludes service on Executive Committee
• Karen Albritton, Capstrat – vice chair of Small Business and Member Services; concludes service on Executive Committee
• Ginny Allen, Adept Digital – immediate past chair of the Young Professionals Network; concludes service on Executive Committee
• Jim Captain, Credit Suisse – past chair of the Board of Directors and this year’s Nominating Committee chair; concludes service on Executive Committee
• Leon Cox, Sheraton Raleigh Hotel – served at large and will continue to do so in 2016/17
• Bo Dempster, Poyner Spruill – served as general counsel and will continue to do so in 2016/17
• Martha Frye, Nationwide Insurance – served at large/concludes service on Executive Committee
• Jimmy Goodmon, Capitol Broadcasting Co. – served as treasurer and will continue as chair-elect in 2016/17
• Jim Hansen, PNC – served at large and will continue as treasurer in 2016/17
• Terrence Holt, Holt Brothers Construction, LLC – served at large; concludes service on Executive Committee
• Mike Hughes, Duke Energy – vice chair of Communications for two years; concludes service on Executive Committee
• O’Hara Macken, Ipreo – vice chair of Economic Development and will continue that role in 2016/17
• Steven McCarthy, Fidelity Investments - vice chair of Education and will continue that role in 2016/17
• Doug Riddle, Fifth Third Bank – vice chair of Membership Development; concludes service on executive committee
• Richard Urquhart, Investors Management Corporation – past chair and will continue that role in 2016/17
• Caroline Welch, ABC-11 Eyewitness News (WTVD) – served at large; concludes service on executive committee
• Ed Willingham, First Citizens Bank – past chair; will continue that role in 2016/17
• Greg Winkler, Wells Fargo – this year’s chair-elect and 2016/17 chair of the Board of Directors

 
Board Chair:

• Chair of the Board, Jill Heath of CALYX Engineers + Consultants

 

Leadership Raleigh participants get a behind-the-scenes view into all aspects of our community—from the education system and the role of the media to law enforcement and economic development.
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Last week, the two newest Leadership Raleigh classes got their years started at retreats at the Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston-Salem. 

Allen Wooten, Personify
Allison Crabtree, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC
Ashley Whittington, The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Awamary Khan, Support Center
Brian Wallace, York Properties
Cara Phillips, Phillips Architecture, PA
Cara Williams, Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP
Carlton Midyette, CBRE | Raleigh
Chris Turner, CMS Controls
Christina Leliever, Duke Energy
David Ferrell, Vandeventer Black LLP
Devon D. Williams,  Ward and Smith, P.A.
Emily Hodges, Hodges Insurance Agency
Felicia Woodard, Bank of America
Jack Magee, Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
Jackie Wilson, Wells Fargo
Jeff Cooke, North State Bank Mortgage
Jennifer Ammirati, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
Jennifer Champion, First Citizens Bank
Jennifer Holland, IBM Corporation
John Gabbard, Ernst & Young LLP
Joseph Watson, Raymond James & Associates
Josh Swindell, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston
Joshua Horne, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Kelly Harvell, Wake County Public School System
Laurent de Comarmond, JDavis Architects, PLLC
Liane Barber, Capital Area Soccer League
Lisa Youngquist, Campbell University School of Business
Mike Ferguson, Barnhill Contracting Co., Inc.
Molly Stuart, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Morgan High, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Morgan Southerland, Fidelity Bank
Nadine Kapitaniak, KPMG LLP
Nate McGaha, Carolina Ballet
Nicholas Hofer, Alfred Williams & Company
Noushi Haeussler, Excellase, Laser Skin Care
Paul A. Kane, Home Builders Association of Raleigh - Wake County
Paul Fogleman, Poyner Spruill LLP
Peter Jones, MetLife
Susan Pettengill, YMCA of the Triangle Area, Inc.
Tarik Dalton, State of North Carolina
Theresa Garrett, Carroll's Kitchen
Tia N. Jones, Delta Dental of North Carolina
Todd Benner, Little
Uel Whitsett, Williams Mullen
Warner Kuppin, Kane Realty Corporation
Zack Anderton, Summit Hospitality Group, LTD
Zack Medford, Isaac Hunter's Hospitality
Zareen Beck, LORD Corporation

Adam Cato, SunTrust Bank
Alicia Barfield, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Alyssa Gutierrez, Better Business Bureau/BBB
Amanda Sherin, Poyner Spruill LLP
Angie Thomas, Accountants One
Anna Short, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
Aolani Donegan, The News & Observer Publishing Co.
Armand Perry, Smith Anderson
Blake Hall, Timmons Group
Brandon Yopp, Campbell Law School
C. Brian O'Haver, Stewart
Cameron Henley, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC
Caroline Baillargeon, Red Hat, Inc.
Caroline Williams, Centerline Digital
Collier Marsh, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
David Booth, Wells Fargo
Dr. Shelby Palmer, Shaw University
Emily Fausch, Empire Properties
Eric Dunlap, Local Government Federal Credit Union
Hilary Allen, Meredith College
Jarvis Jones, Passage Home
Jason Brodmerkel, Elliott Davis Decosimo
Jeff Moncrief, JPMorgan Chase
Jennifer Miller, Summit Hospitality Group, LTD
Jesse Green, RATIO
Jim Herriott, K&L Gates LLP
John Johnston, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Kathryn West, Junior League of Raleigh, Inc.
Katye Jobe, Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
Kelly Huffstetler, Realty World Signature Properties
Kevin White, NNE Pharmaplan, Inc.
Kirk Mader, PNC
Lindsay Schuster, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
Martha Browning, WakeMed Foundation
Melody Henderson, Wake Technical Community College
Michael Neumann, American Cancer Society
Modolu Fatukasi, Deloitte
Leigh Bleecker, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Paul Forster, Capital Area Soccer League
Pierre Marcella, WingSwept
Randy Allen, Danis Construction Company
Rhonda Lowe, UNC REX Healthcare
Sarah Willis, First Citizens Bank
Seth Crawford, Angel Oak Creative
Steve Meyer, Rockridge Realty, Inc.
Sunil Yerkola, MetLife
Todd Rowe, RSM US LLP
Tom Planishek, Balfour Beatty Construction

​From natural disasters to auto crashes, emergency personnel who arrive first on the scene often put their own lives at risk. 
   
On Sept. 22, our business, community, and elected leaders will gather at the annual Greater Raleigh Chamber/CPI Security First Responders Appreciation Breakfast to express gratitude for the first responders who keep our communities and residents safe every day. 

We'll recognize North Carolina Highway Patrol Troop C, District III, Wake County Emergency Medical Services, Wake County Sheriff's Office, Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center, City of Raleigh Fire Department, and City of Raleigh Police Department. 

But with more than 2,000 first responders serving our community, it is impossible to recognize them all—that’s why we count on local businesses that step in to help as Friends of First Responders. 

In an effort to thank these men and women for the dedication, bravery, and commitment to our community, participating businesses are offering special discounts to first responders in uniform or with identification. A list of participating businesses can be found here. 

The 200 Club of Wake County is an organization of concerned citizens dedicated to providing immediate financial help for the spouse and children of police officers, sheriff deputies, firemen, EMS squad members, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers serving in Wake County who lose their lives in the line of duty. Read more about the club and find out how to help  here.

There are simple ways you can help recognize these brave men and women who often go unnoticed. 

• Say "thank you." Thursday, Sept. 22, is officially known as First Responders Appreciation Day in the city of Raleigh and throughout Wake County. If you see a first responder, let them know they are appreciated.
• Spread the word about the Friends of First Responders program. Let emergency personal know that local businesses are offering special discounts.
• Make a donation to The 200 Club of Wake County.

​What does this really mean in the practical sense? Well, here goes my attempt:

• It means LISTENING twice as much as SPEAKING, so as, to hear what the other person is really saying.    
• It means, QUIETLY, doing things in the community, UNOTICED, like buying a meal for a stranger, or befriending someone at the Healing Place, the Soup Kitchen, or Salvation Army.    
• It means SCHEDULING TIME in your day for the UNEXPECTED. Seeing a homeless person on the street can be construed as “I do not have time.” Yet, let us all try, hard, to learn to stop, to get to know the other person and see him or her AS A GIFT.  
• It means treating the custodian in your building with the same respect as you would the CEO.  
• It means tipping, APPROPRIATELY, all the time – no questions asked, no thanks needed.    
• It means putting FAMILY FIRST. Life is too short to be concerned with accomplishments. It is much richer in the moments where love is extended, people are blessed, and community is shared. That is what I have tried to be for Mary Ann, my children, Gregory Poole employees, my friends, and this community. I have not always succeeded, but I keep trying to be a man who reflects the love that has been bestowed on me.  

Thank you for this honor. And I want to thank all of you in this room, who have played important roles in my life. You have allowed me to share this special evening with all of you. Thank you.

Video by Thomas Babb Photography

By Joe Milazzo II, PE
Executive Director
Regional Transportation Alliance



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​Thursday, the campaign to pass the fall Wake transit referendum held its kickoff event at Shaw University.

The approved transit plan for Wake County envisions a dedicated, locally-controlled half-cent sales tax as its primary local funding source. The voters of Wake County will decide on the sales tax in a November 2016 referendum.

The four co-chairs for the campaign, listed below (pictured above), spoke this morning about the benefits of enhanced transit in our market:

• Tashni-Ann Dubroy, President, Shaw University
• John Kane, CEO, Kane Realty
• James Roberson, Mayor of Knightdale
• Mark Stohlman, Mayor of Morrisville

However, if they were to summarize the primary goal and benefit of the approved Wake Transit Plan, it would simply be this:  the plan provides more transit—that is, more travel options—for more people, more quickly.

Many groups, businesses, and educational institutions—including the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition—have endorsed both the plan and referendum. Join us in endorsing the referendum if you have not already done so.

We urge you to vote for the referendum, for enhanced public transportation, and for your community and region’s future this fall.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners, the Go Triangle Board of Trustees, and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization all unanimously approved the new Wake County Transit Plan in spring 2016.

The approved, bipartisan plan calls for the creation of an enhanced and improved regional transit system serving all of Wake County in a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

We can likely identify a number of goals for enhancing transit in this market, or any growing region for that matter. They might include:

• Create alternative to driving, congestion, parking
• Increase travel options as we continue to grow
• Expand access to jobs, healthcare, education, civic life
• Focus land use, support sustainable/walkable development
• Attract/retain talent in our growing community

Here is a simple chart that compares our current situation in Wake County, and the corresponding element of the plan:

Our situation                                       Approved plan

High growth market                             Rapid expansion

Growing traffic congestion                  Peak relief

Dispersed county, region                     Network approach

Inconvenient travel options                Frequent service

Limited funding                                    Scalable system

Rapid technology change                   Short-term completion

Each element in the approved plan is a strong benefit for our region. Taken together, they comprise a strong response to the challenge of growth and congestion in our market.

More information about the benefits  of the plan and referendum is available at letsgetmoving.org/waketransit. Thank you for your support of regional mobility, and thank you for supporting the referendum this fall.

This blog originally appeared here on Sept. 8.

The Moving Wake County Forward Campaign kickoff event will take place Thursday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. at Shaw University. All Chamber members and transit supporters are invited to attend.

This event will formally launch the Moving Wake County Forward campaign, which will encourage residents to vote for a dedicated, locally-controlled funding source to implement the approved, bipartisan Wake Transit plan.

The campaign will be led by four distinguished co-chairs who represent different pillars of our community:

• Dr. Tashni Dubroy, Shaw University
• John Kane, Kane Realty
• Mayor James Roberson, Town of Knightdale
• Mayor Mark Stohlman, Town of Morrisville 

Additionally, the endorsement list is growing every day. If you or your organization would like to add your endorsement, please download the form.

If you have questions about the referendum campaign, the approved transit plan, or would like to become more involved, please contact Joe Milazzo II, PE, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance.