Gregory Poole Jr.'s personal mission is clear—to make Raleigh a better place to live for all of its residents.
Poole is the 2016 recipient of the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, which has been given annually since 1970 in recognition of a person who has contributed time, talent, and service to the benefit of the community. He'll be honored Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting.
Poole is the 2016 recipient of the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, which has been given annually since 1970 in recognition of a person who has contributed time, talent, and service to the benefit of the community. He'll be honored Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting.
Greg and Mary Ann Poole at Dix Park
Setting the Bar for Excellence
As a business leader, Poole is a standout, setting the bar for business excellence in Raleigh and beyond through his leadership of the Gregory Poole Equipment Company and Waste Industries. The success of both businesses brought jobs, income, and local revenues in the many millions of dollars to the area.
Poole’s passion and commitment to community service have significantly impacted the social well-being of Raleigh's residents, and his dedication to the preservation of historical treasures and landmarks sets him apart.
- Most recently, he has worked as the founder, chief fundraiser, and chair of Dix Visionaries. He has worked tirelessly to build community support, raise funds, engage national experts, negotiate with officials from city and state government, and now to support the master planning of the future Dix Park.
- He led the establishment of Historic Oak View County Park, a successful, attractive multipurpose project which is now used by members of the public for meetings, receptions, educational programs, and various other purposes.
- He served on the boards of directors for the Wake County Hospital (now WakeMed Health & Hospitals) and Rex Hospital (now UNC REX Healthcare), Life Experiences, the Foundation of Hope, and The Healing Place.
- He has invested in the lives of area youth through the YMCA of the Triangle Area, Inc., serving as the first chairman of the annual “We Build People Campaign;” the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; and Camp Oak Hill, which he co-founded.
- He has been a longtime board member of the Salvation Army of Wake County.
- The Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts of America honored Poole with the Distinguished Citizen's Award, and he received the national scouting Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
- Poole was founding chairman of the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation and served as a trustee of the UNC-Chapel Hill and Peace College (now William Peace University).
"The Obvious Choice"
“Greg Poole is a talented, successful, and public-spirited person who has consistently contributed to the economic growth and social well-being of the Raleigh community,” said Board Chair Jill Wells Heath of CALYX Engineers + Consultants.
“His great energy, strength of character, and belief that everyone should contribute to ‘making a better world’ make him the obvious choice for this year’s award."
Poole to be Honored at 128th Annual Meeting
Poole will be presented with the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award during the Chamber’s 128th Annual Meeting at the Raleigh Convention Center on Sept. 7. Register to attend the event here.
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