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View the 2026 Member Engagement Guide

Government Affairs Committee

 

Member Promise: The Chamber is committed to advocating for the business interests of Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

Committee Governance: The Government Affairs Committee helps shape and guide The Chamber's policy positions and advocacy efforts. The Committee is a voluntary group of diverse Chamber members with interests and experience in economic, workforce, community, and business development at the local, regional, state, and/or federal level.

Committee Charge: The Chamber Board of Directors appoints Government Affairs Committee members to one-year terms. Committee members convene monthly to track issues, recommend policy positions, and advocate for the business interests of Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. The Committee also coordinates the Critical Issues Series, "Our Voice" blogs, and monthly e-newsletter updates to members.

Committee Members (2026): 

  1. Committee Chair: James Kilbourne, Allen Stahl + Kilbourne
  2. Immediate Past Chair: Jim McNeely, Restoration 1
  3. Mark Anna, RESOLUTE Building Company
  4. Lee Bowman, Legion Land & Development
  5. Brett Bushnell, Compass
  6. Christine Council, Bonneville Electric
  7. Matt Demson, Allen Tate Companies
  8. Holly Fraccaro, HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties
  9. Betsy Harris, Armacell
  10. Daniel Jewell, Thomas & Hutton
  11. Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Park
  12. Judy Miller, Not Ready For The Farm
  13. John Morris, Morris Commercial
  14. Aaron Nelson, The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
  15. John Perry, Fidelity Bank
  16. Philip Post, Philip Post Engineering, Inc.
  17. Tom Proctor, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
  18. Cassie Rice, HomeSmiles
  19. Bob Saunders, Brooks Pierce Law Firm
  20. Chris Simmons, Duke University
  21. Nora Spencer, Hope Renovations
  22. Sara Stephens, Duke Energy
  23. Ivy Taylor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  24. Tom Wiltberger, Terra Nova Global Properties
  25. Julia Wright, Enbridge Gas North Carolina
  26. Emily Ziegler, UNC Health

*Staffed by Luke Jackson, Member and Community Advancement Coordinator, and Ian Scott, Government Affairs and Advocacy, The Chamber

Values: Four values guide the Chamber's approach to public policy, advocacy, and government affairs. We believe:

  1. Diversity builds a more resilient economy. We oppose discrimination in all forms.
  2. The progressive reputation of our community is an asset and part of our competitive advantage.
  3. Our individual communities benefit from the success of each other and the region.
  4. Cooperation and collaboration between and among business, government, academia, and residents is civics at its best

Pillars: The Chamber's Policy Platform has four priority areas known as pillars. We advocate for:

  1. Economic Development
  2. Community Development
  3. Workforce Development
  4. Business Development

Questions: For questions about The Chamber's public policy, advocacy, and government affairs, contact Luke Jackson, Member and Community Advancement Coordinator.