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At the Chamber’s 2016 Annual Meeting, Gregory Poole Jr. issued a challenge to attendees.

“Be people who represent leadership that is kind, ethical, disciplined, determined, competent, humble, and most importantly, full of integrity,” he told 700 business and community leaders who had gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center. Read the full text of his remarks here.

Poole was named the winner of the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, presented annually to a person who has, through leadership, dedication, support, and involvement, made significant contributions to the betterment and improvement of our community.

Poole certainly fit the bill. As a business leader, he set the bar for business excellence in Raleigh and beyond through his leadership of the Gregory Poole Equipment Company and Waste Industries. His passion and commitment to community service significantly impacted the social well-being of Raleigh's residents. Most recently, he worked tirelessly to build community support, raise funds, engage national experts, negotiate with officials, and support the master planning of the future Dix Park.
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“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,” said Jill Wells Heath, 2015/16 Chamber Board Chair.

When he accepted the award on Sept. 7, 2016, Poole joined a distinguished group of honorees. Past winners make up a who’s-who of community leaders who have built businesses, guided organizations, and left their unforgettable marks on our region. The time has come to add another name to the list.

​The Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2017 award, which will be presented at the Annual Meeting on Sept. 14. Criteria can be found here, and the nomination form can be downloaded here. The deadline to nominate an individual is Tuesday, June 20. 

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce announced today that Adrienne Cole has been named as its new president and CEO. She has recently served as the Chamber’s senior vice president of Economic Development and executive director of Wake County Economic Development.
 
“Adrienne possesses the expertise to lead the Chamber to accomplish all of our goals,” said Greg Winkler, chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Last year the Chamber developed a new strategic plan and established five top priorities which include creating jobs and economic investments, advancing transportation solutions, fostering diversity and inclusion in the business community, expanding the Chamber’s foundation, and growing value for its members.
 
“As the first female president of the Chamber, Adrienne will bring a fresh perspective to its 129-year history,” Winkler said. “Her unique talents and creativity will be a great asset to advance our region.”
 
Cole brings more than 20 years of business leadership experience to her new role. Under Cole’s guidance, Wake County Economic Development and the Greater Raleigh Chamber announced more than 30 corporate relocations and expansions totaling over $250 million in capital investments and creating more than 5,000 new jobs.
 
Cole’s additional career accomplishments include:

• Worked to secure and improve state and local economic development incentives
• As an RDU Board member, assisted in the recruitment of the Delta Paris flight
• Recruited Campbell Law School to Raleigh
• Facilitated Red Hat’s headquarters expansion to downtown Raleigh
• Served as economic development leader in Pamlico and Carteret counties and for the city of Raleigh

 
Jill Wells Heath, president and CEO of CALYX Engineers + Consultants and past chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, chaired the search committee that worked with Waverly Partners, LLC. “Our national search of chamber executives provided very competitive candidates,” Heath said. “Adrienne’s wide breadth of knowledge and experience was unmatched.”
 
“I’m so excited to serve the community my family and I have called home for many years,” Cole said. “I am very proud to lead the Greater Raleigh Chamber and to continue the tradition of collaboration that makes Raleigh, Wake County, and the Triangle region special.”
 
Cole is a graduate of Meredith College and received a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University.

By Bill O'Boyle
CEO, North State Consulting



I was humbled when Citrix nominated me to the Emerging Leaders Program. I must admit that, at first, I saw it as a networking opportunity and a resume builder. I was honored and excited by the opportunity, but I grossly underestimated the impact this program would have. I had the opportunity to learn from some of the most purpose driven leaders in the area, develop long lasting relationships with amazing peers, and learn how I could better serve the community.
 
This format of the program is amazing. The leaders were not selected simply from financial success. The common thread was selfless service and leading a purpose driven life although I doubt that was ever prompted.  We did not hear endless stories of how they worked 15 hour days for 20 years to “achieve.” Instead, we heard countless stories of their people and the platforms they created. I do not recall an exec bragging about a recent stock price but I do remember many stories of how proud of the impact their firm or institution had on the community and the people they served.    
 
Each leader was amazing but one stood out from the moment I met him: Dr. Everett Ward, president of St. Augustine’s University. Dr. Ward is a man who walks with a purpose in every step he takes. Dr. Ward was born on the HBCU he graduated from and now is tasked to resurrect. I saw firsthand what it meant for a leader to selfishly serve a mission and inspire all those around him to do the same. He faced many challenges upon accepting the position and he did address some of them. However, he spent the time helping us understand the generations of pride that surround you as soon as you enter the truly remarkable university. He graciously gave us a tour while he greeted every single student, faculty, and staff member by first name that walked by. I have been back to St. Aug's several times, called on Dr. Ward for advice, and also formed an official partnership with Citrix. I would not have had that opportunity without this program, and I am extremely grateful.

​I also made long lasting friendships with classmates. Allison Warren Barber was the senior vice president of the Greater Triangle United Way. We quickly realized there was an opportunity for us to work together in the community. As with most nonprofits, there is often a shortage of resources. This is true with financial capital and human capital. We decided to address both. At the time, I led a team of nine that structured complex, strategic partnerships with other software companies. That often involved creating joint go-to-market strategies. We decided to use our human capital to develop the go-to-market strategy for Innovate United. We wanted to increase participation and increase donations so we applied the same methodologies in the tech industry. Our team absolutely loved the experience of working with the United Way and the program was a huge success. That model has been taught to other United Way and businesses across the country. Allison is now the CEO of the Seattle-area United Way, and I have served on the Community Engagement Committee for two years. That is all thanks to the Emerging Leaders Program.
 
I was inspired by the program to also attend Leadership North Carolina. I now have my own company and can proudly say we have 14 employees here in Raleigh. I am honored to have graduated from the program and now serve on the Chamber's Small Business Advisory Board. The Chamber is an invaluable part of our community and look forward to sending our first applicant to the program this quarter.

The Chamber is currently recruiting for the 2017 Emerging Leaders program. Two classes will take place this year, and the deadline to apply is March 27. Learn more here.

                  By:  Angie Coole
                         Marketing Specialist 
                         Greene Resources 




Greene Resources had the wonderful opportunity to not only sponsor the Chamber's December C-Suite Perspectives breakfast, but also to hear from our own president and founder, Gary Greene. Gary provided us with insight on how leaders (and anyone!) can truly make an impact in the lives of those around them. 

To make an impact, you must do five things:
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1.Show You Care
Success comes down to individual moments with individual people and ensuring the people in your life know that they matter. 

2.Change Your Point of View
Whether you work in sales, management, or another field, you will have greater success with effective communication if you approach a conversation from the perspective of the other person. 
 
3.Be Present
When you engage with others, providing your full attention and being present will make all the difference because “people will forget about what you said, people will forget about what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
 
4.Create Memorable Moments
Find a way to be different, not only in the way you do business but also in the way you develop relationships.  You can create a more memorable and positive experience by taking the time to get to know your coworkers, customers, and employees.
 
5.Find and Follow Your Passion
Greene Resources was founded on the idea that you must love what you do and you must love the people you are serving.  When you are passionate about what you do and you surround yourself with people who share that passion, anything is possible.

It's been almost seventeen years since Gary started Greene Resources and the foundation behind the business is still the same. Greene Resources is committed to putting people first and exceeding expectations through purposeful talent solutions. By valuing people above all else, we make a lasting impact in the careers, businesses, and lives of those we serve. 

​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

​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

What surprised you the most in your research findings regarding women’s confidence?
Both Katty and I were most surprised at the fact that women routinely underestimate themselves. We didn’t really think the numbers on that would be so solid. I think we were also surprised that there is a genetic component to confidence. Some people really are born with a propensity to be more confident. It’s annoying!
 
What does it mean to be professionally confident?
It means that you are not afraid of risk and failure. It means you are willing to be less than perfect, in order to grow.

Is there a difference between being aggressive and being confident?
Absolutely. Being aggressive is a behavioral style. Being confident is evaluating the situation, and deciding that you are willing to act because you believe you can affect change. Confidence can be quite quiet and calm.

What is the first step to building your confidence?
Self-awareness. It’s critical that you become aware of your internal dialogue. Are you ruminating? Are you striving for perfection? Are you telling yourself not to take a chance and step out of your comfort zone? In the course of writing this book, for example, I came to see what a die-hard perfectionist I am, and how much that inhibits confidence. Once I understood what I was doing, it became easier to change it. Not that I’ve fully morphed into a devil-may-care risk-taker, by any means. But when I find myself hesitating or stewing, I can stop that process and move on much more easily.

Shipman is the keynote speaker at the Chamber's Women's Leadership Conference on March 11. In addition to her presentation, the event includes a panel discussion and breakout sessions further exploring your executive presence.

Learn more and register here.