Chamber Staff Profiles
Meg Branson, Vice President, Membership |
email
Meg came to the Chamber as member relations intern while completing her degree
in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. After graduating, Meg joined the Chamber staff full time as member
relations coordinator. She has since taken on more responsibility as programs
and director of membership services and now vice president of membership. Meg
manages the Chamber’s publications – the Community Map, Food Finder dining guide, and monthly e-mail
and print newsletters. Meg is also responsible for maintaining member relations
and managing membership programs and services.
Laura Ann Morrison, Program Director | email
Laura Ann Morrison graduated with highest honors from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC-CH in 2008. Laura joined the Chamber staff in September 2008 and works closely with President and CEO Aaron Nelson as his Executive Assistant. As the Member Relations Coordinator, she also designs and manages the monthly print newsletter, Chamber Matters, the bi-monthly E-newsletter, Business Matters, and the Member to Member Benefits program. Laura lives with her cat, bunny and newt, and during her free time, she performs improv comedy at DSI Comedy Theater.
Aaron Nelson, President and CEO | email
Aaron Nelson has been the CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
since 2001 and was appointed Executive Director of the Chamber’s partner,
the Foundation for a Sustainable Community upon its creation in 2004. Aaron
currently serves on the Board of Directors of The ArtsCenter and The Carolina
Club, the Steering Committee of the Regional Transportation Alliance, the
Advisory Board of Small Business and Technology Development Center and the
Board of Regents of the Northeast Institute for Organization Management. Aaron
is a 1997 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
where he also served as Student Body President. Prior to his service with
the Chamber, Aaron worked at UNC Chapel Hill holding several appointments
including Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Coordinator of Local Relations.
Aaron has been a resident of the Triangle since 1982 and lives in Chapel Hill
with his wife Sonja, son Maxwell Isaiah and daughter Atlee Elizabeth.
Justin Simmons, Member Relations Specialist and Assistant to the President & CEO | email
Justin moved to Chapel Hill in 2008 as part of the leadership team which started Love Chapel Hill, a new church downtown. Bringing his love for our community to the Chamber, he serves at the command center, welcoming guests, providing relocation information, promoting our members, and assisting our president and CEO, Aaron Nelson. Justin has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration / Marketing from Glenville State College, in his home state of West Virginia. He also has a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Justin and his wife Jeanine continue to serve on the leadership team at Love Chapel Hill and are grateful to make their home here with their 2 beautiful daughters, Riley and Avery.
Kristen Smith, Director of Public Policy and Member Engagement | email
Kristen Smith, Chapel Hill native and UNC alumnae, is a recent addition to the Chamber staff, joining in February 2011. Kristen brings her years of experience working with both nonprofits and political campaigns to her work conducting outreach to Chamber members and lobbying on behalf of the Chamber. Kristen also manages the Chamber’s social media presence and the Chamber’s monthly e-newsletter, Government Matters. Kristen is a deacon at Binkley Baptist Church and serves on the boards of Alamance Orange Prison Ministry and Lillian’s List of North Carolina. She lives in Orange County and is a doting mother to Laila, a golden doodle from Granville County.
Abby Spoon, Director of Business Development | email
Sam Teabout, Finance Manager | email