Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

We are excited to announce some significant changes that have been approved by our Board of Directors. Effective October 1, we will be implementing new organizational changes that will streamline the structure of the Chamber.
We are thrilled to announce that Jackie Huitt has been promoted to Senior Vice President of our newly named Revenue Development Department. In this role, she will lead the Chamber's sales team and manage a portfolio of major investor accounts. Evelyn Lucas, Shani Seidel, and Kim Westbrook-MacDonald have also been promoted to Senior Relationship Managers under Jackie’s guidance. We will also be hiring two additional Relationship Managers – stay tuned as we will announce these new hires in the coming weeks and months.
Teja Wright will also be taking on new responsibilities in the Revenue Development Department. She will manage key Chamber events including the annual Golf Tournament and support the delivery of Board of Advisors benefits. She will also continue to lead our Young Professionals Network.
As a part of the new structure, Event Managers Walker Hinerman and Sarah Sterling will now join the Marketing and Communications Department. Taylor Cogsdale has been promoted to Senior Project Manager and will be responsible for aligning event management with existing communications project management.
We will also be hiring a Vice President to lead our Member Services and Small Business Department, which will replace the Membership Engagement Department. This department will include signature events, professional development programming, and small business programming. We plan to expand our small business programming over the course of the year with Shanita Robinson also having her title changed to Member Services and Small Business Director.

By Adrienne Cole
President and CEO
​Greater Raleigh Chamber





Did you know there are more than 60,000 businesses in Wake County with 50 employees or less? According to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, small businesses make up 98 percent of our state’s business landscape. In Wake County, 87 percent of the companies have 10 or fewer employees.

In celebration of Small Business Week, we invite you to stop by the Chamber office to watch webinars created by the Small Business Administration to support your business. You can also check out all the resources available online here.

​I sincerely appreciate your engagement with the Chamber. Small businesses make up more than 85 percent of our membership, and your entrepreneurship is a vital fabric in our community. National Small Business Week recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners that create two out of three jobs in the U.S.

Please join us at 800 S. Salisbury St. to gain great insight to support and grow your business. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and hear experts explore the following: 

• May 3 at 2 p.m.: 5 Fabulous Habits of Local Business Champions Presented by YP
• May 3 at 4 p.m.: Grow Your Business Online Presented by Google
• May 4 at 2:30 p.m.: The Future of Small Business Innovation Presented by Salesforce
• May 4 at 3:30 p.m.: How to Write Your Email Content in 15 Minutes or Less Presented by Constant Contact

Thank you for all that you do for our community—you are an integral part of what makes Raleigh and Wake County innovative and special.

                  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. 

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.

By Jill Wells Heath
2015/16 Chamber Chair
CALYX Engineers + Consultants




Take a look around. 

From cutting edge companies that employ thousands in RTP to visionary startups that are energizing downtown Raleigh, it's clear that innovation and creativity are flourishing in the Triangle.   

At the Chamber's 128th Annual Meeting on Sept. 7, we'll explore our area's changes and challenges and find out what the Chamber is doing to drive success. 

Our keynote speaker, Josh Linkner, is no stranger to this topic----he's spent his career harnessing the power of creative disruption. He'll share thoughts on Raleigh, and provide insight on how you can tap into your own creativity to find new levels of success (hint: you don't have to invent the next Uber to be considered "creative"). 

We'll also honor standout businessman and community activist Gregory Poole Jr. with the A.E. Finley Distinguished Service Award, celebrate some of our accomplishments from the past year, and take a look at the future. I'm personally excited to pass the gavel to our next board chair, Greg Winkler of Wells Fargo. 

It's going to be a great night, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there!   

Join hundreds of business and community leaders at this popular event. Reserve your spot now. Sponsorships are also available. Contact Ginger Baxley to learn more.

By Tim Giuliani
President and CEO
Greater Raleigh Chamber

North Carolina and its economy benefit and thrive from diversity and inclusion. Reducing anti-discrimination protections damages our reputation and will impact economic development. An inclusive and welcoming environment is essential for attracting and retaining the talented workforce that is critical for growing great companies and building our economy. The Greater Raleigh Chamber supports a community where every citizen feels safe and can enjoy the wonderful quality of life found here.

The Chamber Board of Directors and staff wish you a prosperous 2016. We are excited to collaborate with you to grow our economy and build our community.  

Find out what's coming up at the Chamber here. We hope to see you soon.

Keep up with current news on the Chamber blog and by following @raleighchamber on Twitter.  

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