 This text originally appeared as an OpEd in the News & Observer on Sept. 28, 2016. 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. I hope you’ll join me in voting for the transit referendum – located at the end of the ballot – this fall. Vote for Transit on Nov. 8Learn more about the transit referendum and how you can help move Wake County forward here.
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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:
Appointed Members of the Board of Directors, Completing One-year Terms:
Also Serving on the Board of Directors this Year:
2015/16 Executive Committee:
Board Chair:
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. Last week, the two newest Leadership Raleigh classes got their years started at retreats at the Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston-Salem. Leadership Raleigh 33 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 Leadership Raleigh 34 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 More about Leadership RaleighLeadership Raleigh is a nine-month program consisting of eight one-day sessions held in the greater Raleigh area with an opening weekend retreat. The program emphasizes three overall components: team projects, community orientation, and enhancing leadership skills/styles.
Due to overwhelming interest in the program from business leaders across the community, the Chamber launched two classes of the program in 2015. This format will remain going forward. Interested in learning more about the program? VIist www.leadershipraleigh.org or email [email protected]!  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. Friends of First RespondersBut 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. Portion of Proceeds Benefits The 200 Club of Wake CountyThe 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. How You Can HelpThere are simple ways you can help recognize these brave men and women who often go unnoticed.
Gregory Poole Jr. received the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award at the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting on Sept. 7. In a moving acceptance speech, he issued a challenge to all attendees. Read the text of his remarks below or watch the presentation here.  Harvey Schmitt (right), Chamber president emeritus and 2015 A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award recipient, presents Greg Poole Jr. with the 2016 Award. (photo by Jordan Esteem Photography) In standing before you tonight, I am reminded how quickly life passes! My 81 years have moved so rapidly and many of us have seen and experienced a explosive change in our city, communities, and our great state. Whether from pastures, to dirt roads, to highways or airways, we continue to be a thriving and robust city – certainly much is happening for which we all can be proud. I wish, however, to talk to you tonight, not about the past or even the present, but the future. A future that hopefully, will be shaped by many of you in this room. My plea to each of you is the following: Be people who represent leadership that is kind, ethical, disciplined, determined, competent, humble, and most importantly, full of integrity. What does this really mean in the practical sense? Well, here goes my attempt:
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 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:
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. More About the Approved Wake Transit PlanThe 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:
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. Let's Get MovingMore 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:
Additionally, the endorsement list is growing every day. If you or your organization would like to add your endorsement, please download the form. I want to get involvedIf 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.
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