CONNECTION. inside: Chamber of Commerce. Mark Vitner with Wells Fargo speaking at the 8th Annual Economic Summit. Economic Development

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1 DECEMBER 2013 I JANUARY 2014 chamber CONNECTION Mark Vitner with Wells Fargo speaking at the 8th Annual Economic Summit A publication of the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce inside: Chamber of Commerce A letter from Derek Steed on the Vision for Public Education Page 05 Economic Development Economic Outlook for 2014 Page 06 Convention & Visitors Bureau Ho-Ho-Ho-liday Events in Alamance County Page 08

2 Page 02 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION letter from the president December 2013 Holiday Greetings! I trust you had a good Thanksgiving. Now, on to Christmas and the New Year! Even with the explosion of online retailing, the season still demands we be out and about more than usual as other shopping, dining out, decorating, and entertaining take over our normal routines. When you are out this season, the Chamber encourages you to SHOP-EAT-BUY LOCAL! When you spend your dollars at home, you re supporting businesses located in the community which provide local jobs and payrolls. Further, some of the sales taxes generated from purchases of goods and services get returned to local governments which can keep property taxes lower by supplementing revenues needed to provide necessary services. Alamance County has great local businesses providing goods and services, employing friends and neighbors, and trying to grow. Mac Williams Chamber President No matter what is on your wish list this year, make sure the gifts close to your heart are bought close to home. Find everything you need, right here in Alamance County Board of Directors & Officers Keith Strickland-Chair Carolina Bank Randy Perkins-Past Chair Prime Personnel Resources Cindy Montgomery-Chair Elect Gregory Grier Prof. Office Furn. Susan Ezekiel-Treasurer Cobb Ezekiel Loy & Co., PA. Jeff Andrews-Vice Chair Vernon Law Firm Hal Bates-Vice Chair Glen Raven, Inc. Griffin McClure-Vice Chair Green and McClure Furniture Lori Seiler-Vice Chair Seiler Services, Inc. Mac Williams-President Ala. Co. Area C/C Tony Brandewie Honda Aero, Inc. Dick Fisher Fisher Wealth Management Ken Morrison Morrison Video Productions, LLC Chamber of Commerce I Staff Mac Williams President Barbara Massey Vice President - Workforce/ Leadership Development Reagan Chandler Gural Vice President - Membership Development Marty Stadler Proponent Federal Credit Union Callum Brown Pro Feet Inc. Michael Garner Country Suites Paul Mauney Times News Publishing Co. Michael Dickey Color Landscapes by Michael Dickey Trip Durham 2D Consulting, LLC David Moore David R. Moore CLU & Associates Lisa Pennington Alamance Regional Medical Center Cheryl Ray Sports Endeavors Lucien Roughton RND Architects, P.A. Meredith Parker Membership Assistant Andrea Fleming Economic Development Associate Lisa Foster Office Manager/Bookkeeper Laura Swift Program Assistant Convention and Visitors Bureau I Staff Want to advertise in the Chamber Connection Publication? Contact Serena Bowman at the Times-News or SBowman@thetimesnews.com Robert Cox Vice President Amy Love Visitor Services About The Chamber The Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce is a membershipbased, volunteer-led, nonprofit community and economic development organization. Since 1914, we have worked hard to enhance the welfare of business as well as promote and stimulate economic vitality for our members and the community. The chamber offers a wealth of networking events, marketing opportunities, business development programs and education initiatives. To become a member, contact the chamber today!

3 CHAMBER CONNECTION wwwcarolinacorridor.com December 2013/January 2014 Page Member 5 Letter 8 Convention President s Message News from Derek Steed & Visitors Bureau 10 Workforce & Leadership Development 11 Ribbon Cuttings V ERNON LAW 2013 Chamber Champions Chamber Partners American National Bank & Trust Carolina Bank Duke Energy LabCorp Pip Printing & Marketing Services Select Bank & Trust Wells Fargo Chamber Advocates BB&T Burlington Pediatrics CommunityONE Bank Goodwill Industries Randolph Bank Samet Corporation Sports Endeavors The Village at Brookwood YMCA

4 Page 04 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION members in the NEWS Welcome new MEMBERS Stokes, Cook & Associates Jason Cook, Partner of Stokes, Cook & Associates and a CFP has been named into the 2014 Presidents Club as a top producer. This prestigious award is given to the top financial advisors each year for exceeding production goals. Jason is a lifelong resident of Graham, NC and in addition to his professional role he currently serves as Vice President of the Alamance County Children s Museum, Vice President of the Graham Area Business Association, member of the Graham Optimist Club, Chaplain of the Masonic Logic in Mebane, member of the Burlington Shrine Club, and Lieutenant and Treasurer of the Graham Volunteer Fire Department. Mast & Garrison Insurance Agency Mike Garrison of Mast & Garrison Insurance Agency has successfully completed the Annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certifies Insurance Counselors. In order to earn the designation CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), one must have attended five institutes covering all of the phases of the insurance business and passed five rigorous examinations. Additionally, the National Society requires annual attendance in the program to maintain the designation. Mike also holds the designation of Certified Builders Insurance Agent (CBIA). Mike, a 29 year veteran of the industry, has been a CIC since He believes insurance consumers are best served by those who acquire and maintain a high level of professional excellence by meeting the continuing education requirements of the certified insurance counselors program. Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, P.A. Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, P.A. attorney Rachel M. Blunk has been elected as Vice-President to the board of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys for 2014 for a 1-year term. The NCAWA has over 400 members and its goals are to increase women s participation in the justice system, in public office, and within the legal profession, as well as to advance the rights and welfare of women under the law. Blunk was also honored as Young Lawyer of the Quarter for the summer of 2013 by the North Carolina Bar Association s Young Lawyer s Division. At Wishart Norris, she represents closely held corporations, including those in the field of education. Her practice is devoted to commercial transactions and commercial litigation. Blunk earned her J.D. from the University Of North Carolina School of Law. She received her B.A. in Honors Classics cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Roughton Nickelson De Luca Architects, PA Roughton Nickelson De Luca Architects, PA is pleased to announce a new hire to join its team of licensed architects and interior designers. Stephanie Williams joins the firm as Director of Marketing. She has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, much of it in North Carolina s Triangle and Triad regions. Williams is a graduate of Cornell University and received her MBA from Wake Forest University. At RND, she will be working to define and execute marketing strategy and to assist with business development initiatives. She is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services. We are pleased to have Stephanie on board to help communicate RND s unique strengths and expertise to our prospective and current clientele, says Lucien Roughton, principal. PureFlow Inc. Pureflow, Inc. is celebrating its 28th Anniversary. Our company designs, builds, installs and maintains high purity water systems serving clients throughout the Southeast. Pureflow s corporate office is located in Graham, NC with Technical and Service centers located in Greenville, SC, Atlanta, GA and Lakeland, FL. For more information regarding our products, services, training and career opportunities, visit Robert Anthony Salon Robert Anthony Salon, located in the Savannah West Shopping Center, raised $550 during the month of October for ARMC s Pink Ribbon Fund. The Pink Ribbon Fund allows women access to diagnostic procedures they may not otherwise be able to afford. EVENT CALENDAR u JANUARY 9, th Annual Business Meeting u JANUARY 25, th Anniversary Celebration Burlington 3158 S. Church St Graham 1128 S. Main St Molly Maid 1601 E. Bessemer Ave, Suite H Greensboro, NC David Grinstead, MA, CHT 5215 Friendship Rock Creek Rd Burlington, NC Peter Rabbit Consignment 2378 Corporation Parkway Suite F Burlington, NC Burlington Beer Works, Inc. Coming soon to downtown Burlington, NC Mebane Ridge Assisted Living Highway 119 Mebane, NC Once Upon A Chocolate 139 Piedmont Ave. Gibsonville, NC World Class Chiropractic 2241 Hanford Rd Burlington, NC community1.com

5 CHAMBER CONNECTION December 2013/January 2014 Page 05 WE WANT YOU! Our Vision for Public Education in Alamance County By Derek Steed Why do we educate the children of Alamance County? Consider, if you will, spending hours asking the people of Alamance County similar questions and analyzing the results of those conversations. The results may surprise. Despite the rhetoric and noise in the media about the how s or what s about educating our children, Alamance County is not so divided when it comes to the why s. From September 2012 until May 2013, a Stakeholders Group of volunteers undertook such a task. Supported by The Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce, The Alamance County Economic Development Foundation and The Alamance-Burlington School System, this group of stakeholders came from all walks of life and all regions of the county. The result of their work is the Vision for Public Education in Alamance County. A list of those participants is included in that report. How did this group reveal the why? It was quite simple they asked -- person-to-person in open conversation. They asked family and friends, leaders and supporters, parents and children, teachers and students, volunteers and business people. More importantly, they asked and, then..... they listened. This listening resulted in the ability to see common values and to envision bold objectives based on those values. So, what is this Vision? Put simply, it is a document reflecting the common beliefs about public education in Alamance County and the result ing aspirations to support those beliefs. In three pages the stakeholder group states these common beliefs and sets forth significant objectives incorporating those values. This Vision has now been endorsed by the Alamance County Board of Education, the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce, local city and town councils and many, many more organizations. A cornerstone of the Vision document is a common belief in Alamance County that education is the foundation for individual success, economic prosperity, improved quality of life, and even the perpetuation of our democratic society. Our community expressed itself clearly that public education should prepare good citizens, a talented workforce and strong leaders. As importantly, our community imparted that a strong educational system can result in Alamance County being one of the most desired destinations for new business and industry and the most desire place to work, live and raise a family. Interestingly enough, the discussions revealed that many of those interviewed truly believe that an excellent public education system benefits the entire community not just the children. Built upon that cornerstone is a Vision that Alamance County can and should do more for ourselves and our future. This Vision calls for a public school system that is national model for its curriculum and community engagement to empower all Alamance County students with equal opportunity for civic engagement, a meaningful quality of life and skills for economic success. Indeed, envisioning a best-in-class public education system driven by broad community support sets a high bar for high community achievement and requires strong community participation to accomplish. Imagine, just for a moment, that our community and all the organizations within it commit to achieving these high standards. Imagine when mediocrity becomes a four-letter word and a commitment to uncompromising rigor and excellence is a base-line expectation. Imagine if we cease measuring our schools performance against national or state averages and, instead, begin measuring against the top systems in the nation. Imagine further our community pulling together to create for ourselves and our future an education system that becomes a national leader. What is next? While Alamance -Burlington School System is undergoing its strategic planning toward the Vision, volunteers are engaged in an effort to introduce this Vision across the entire spectrum of Alamance County citizens. This is a group of volunteers without a name, formal structure or common affiliation, but with a singular purpose of engaging our community. Alamance County citizens have a vested interest in building upon the current success of our schools and our community. The community deserves and will benefit from our friends and neighbors understanding and participating in this Vision. While many can read the Vision (as can be found at and greater benefits and community engagement will be achieved from open conversation about the Vision and our public education. We want your help! First, read the three pages of the Vision document that set forth the beliefs, vision and expectations. Second, agree to publicly endorse this Vision by contacting the Chamber or Alamance Citizens for Education. For those businesses and organizations desiring more for Alamance County and are willing to publicly commit to achieve it an endorsement of this effort is a great step and takes no money and very little effort. Third, if your business or organization can assist in getting this Vision in front of more Alamance County citizens, please contact the Chamber or Alamance Citizens for Education. Our community benefits when this Vision is being thoughtfully discussed in the homes, kitchens, fellowship halls and conference rooms across Alamance County. Finally, ask your groups and organizations this question: What more can we do tomorrow than we do today to help achieve this Vision? The answers will surprise and inspire. It is time for a conversation by the community, for the community, about higher aspirations based on the positive things our community values and believes. We have great minds here in Alamance County and our community will greatly benefit from their focus on great ideas. n

6 Page 06 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION Economic Outlook for 2014 A full-house attended the chamber s 8th Annual Economic Summit on October 15 at Elon University. Wells Fargo, our presenting sponsor, was instrumental in securing the speaker, Mark Vitner. A Managing Director & Senior Economist with Wells Fargo, Vitner had interesting, but not surprising comments about the economy and where it is headed. One repeated quote for the evening was Less bad is good. More good is better. This sums up very succinctly that there has been less bad news recently which is a good thing; but the national down to the local economies need more good news which would be better. At the time of the meeting, the Federal government was in the middle of a shutdown. Although that hurdle has been passed, Vitner noted that in Washington DC, we keep going from crisis to crisis. This uncertainty and lack of leadership by lawmakers is contributing to an already shaky economy and makes it hard for businesses, especially small businesses, to plan for the coming year. But again, there is less bad news, just not enough good news. Local unemployment rates have been declining. Building permits are up. House listings are on the rise with prices increasing and selling in fewer days. These trends are all good, we would just like to see them better. If you would like to learn more about information presented at the Economic Summit, or data about the local economy, please contact Andrea Fleming at andreafleming@ alamancechamber.com. Design-Build Construction Management Real Estate S SAMET CORPORATION 309 Gallimore Dairy Road, Suite 102 Greensboro, NC Bill Gomory, Market President PRE-OWNED 2208 W. Webb Ave. Burlington Locations in Durham & Wilmington Temp to Hire Temp Position Professional Placement On-site Management Banquet Stack Chair $ Available Hon Black Leather Side Chairs $ Available Single Ped Desk $ Available Black Task Chair $49 40 Available 5-Drawer Lateral File $ Available PROFESSIONAL Management/Sales Engineering Information Systems Accounting/Financial Medical OFFICE SUPPORT Administrative Bookkeeping Customer Service Data/Word Processing Receptionist/Secretary *INDUSTRIAL/MANUFACTURING* NEW CLOSEOUT Large Cream and Mahogany Accent Chair $ Available Club Chairs $ Available End of the Year Blowout Sale (Other Items Available Too Many To List) PRIME PERSONNEL RESOURCES, INC Ramada Rd., in I-85 Plaza Burlington, NC Phone: Fax: Randy Perkins Owner TM

7 CHAMBER CONNECTION December 2013/January 2014 Page th ANNIVERSARY Celebrating Service, Leadership, and Progress. Be a part of our commemorative 100th Anniversary Edition of the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, April 13, This keepsake edition will include past history, present day and future plans. Reach over 60,000 people with your ad in this special edition. Before You Buy... Give Cox a Try Sales Deadline Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Publication Date Sunday, April 13, 2014 Each month come in and test drive a new or used Cox Toyota and be registered for our $1,000 Giveaway! I-40/I-85, Exit Danbrook Rd. Burlington SHOP-TOYOTA Serving Alamance County since 1968 For more information or to be included in this special edition, contact Serena Bowman at or sbowman@thetimesnews.com

8 Page 08 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION convention & visitors BUREAU L to R: Gary Moser, Jim McGill, Frank Mensch, Robyn Hadley Distinguished Service in Sports Award The CVB and the Alamance Sports Development Council recently hosted the Distinguished Service in Sports Award Banquet. The honorees for this year were Robyn Hadley, Jim McGill, Frank Mensch & Gary Moser. A big THANK YOU to this year s honorees for everything they have done for their communities. Going Places The CVB recently returned from two major tradeshows. The first was the Rejuvenate Marketplace in Daytona Beach where we met with meeting planners from across the United States. The second was the TEAMS (Travel Event and Management in Sports) Tradeshow which was held in Salt Lake City, UT. Here we met with sporting event holders from across North America. The CVB will be traveling to Concord in mid-december for the North Carolina Sports Association Quarterly meeting. Here we will review the tradeshows that we attended in the fall as well as having a Elizabeth Chaney Young, a special guest from the National Association of Sports Commission who will be present to give us a preview to the upcoming symposium in late March. Social Media If you have an event that is visitor friendly please be sure to visit our website: visitalamance.com to submit the details of your event. If you have any questions regarding submitting events, please contact Amy at the CVB. Our website is where we pull event details that will later be posted to our Facebook and Twitter pages. Now Open Yami Japanese House 3123-D Garden Road, Burlington Mon-Thur 11am-9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am- 10pm; Sun Noon to 9pm Closed Andy s Burger s & Shakes Shillelagh Golf Course Yella Bird Kitchen Events DECEMBER 1-24 Annual Holiday Gift Invitational at Alamance Arts Council Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm. No admission. DECEMBER 3 Elon University presents A Celebration of Light 7:30pm. Free. Whitley Auditorium. DECEMBER 6 Mebane Christmas Parade 7pm. Free. Downtown Mebane. DECEMBER 6 Christmas in the Park 6-8pm. Free. Beth Schmidt Park. DECEMBER 7 53rd Graham Christmas Parade 10am. Free. Downtown Graham. DECEMBER 7-21 Frosty Fun ~ Skate into the Holidays Times vary with days. $5 per 45 minute session. Downtown Graham. DECEMBER 13 Holiday Magic, A Dickens Christmas 6-9pm. Free. Downtown Burlington. DECEMBER Walkerdance Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker 13th: 8pm; 14th: 2pm & 8pm; 15th: 2pm. $10-$ McCrary Theatre, Elon. DECEMBER 14 Gingerbread Creations Workshop Registration required. 1-3pm Free, bring your own gingerbread kit. Thataways Youth Center. DECEMBER 14 Snow Camp Christmas Parade & Simple Gifts Holiday Market Parade 10am. Market 11am-3pm. Free Drama Rd. & Sylvan School Rd & Snow Camp Outdoor Drama. DECEMBER 14 Breakfast with Santa 8-10am. $5. Thataways Youth Center. DECEMBER 14 Gibsonville Christmas Parade 10am. Free. Downtown Gibsonville. DECEMBER 19 Elon University vs. Central Pennsylvania 7pm. $12 Adult, $5 Youth. Alumni Gym. DECEMBER 21 Chatham County Line 8pm. $17-$20. Haw River Ballroom. DECEMBER 21 Breakfast with Santa 8:30am. One non-perishable food item person. Carousel Cinemas. DECEMBER 22 Christmas in the Park Free. 6-9pm. Burlington City Park. DECEMBER 29 Family Movie Night 7pm. Free. Thataways Youth Center. DECEMBER 31 New Year s Eve The Clockwork Ball A Steampunk Masquerade 8pm. $10-$12. Haw River Ballroom. JANUARY 6 Elon University vs. Appalachian State 7pm. $12; $5 youth. Alumni Gym. JANUARY 11 Elon University vs. The Citadel 7pm. $12; $5 youth. Alumni Gym. JANUARY 17 Jason Isbel in Concert 8pm. $ Haw River Ballroom. JANUARY Elon University Dept. of Performing Arts Presents Much Ado about Nothing Thurs-Friday: 7:30pm; Sat: 2pm & 7:30pm; Sun: 2pm; Mon-Wed: 7:30pm $12. Black Box Theater, Elon. DID YOU KNOW? Three College Observatory is located approximately 8 miles south of Interstate 85/40. They offer public viewings through the largest telescope in North Carolina.

9 CHAMBER CONNECTION Experience Commitment Results Established Vernon, Vernon, Wooten, Brown, Andrews & Garre, P.A. 522 South Lexington Avenue Burlington, N.C Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2958, Burlington, NC December 2013/January 2014 Page 09

10 Page 10 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION workforce & leadership DEVELOPMENT Farm-To-Table In this day and age, fewer children are raised on farms, and have little knowledge of the process that takes place to get food from the farm to the table. Therefore, each year the Chamber s Agri-Business Committee organizes an event for area fourth graders called Farm-to-Table. Students get the opportunity to see farm animals (baby chicks, cows, goats, and bees), fruits, vegetables and other plants, as well as farming equipment up close. Held at The Historic Farm at Cedarock Park, approximately 800 students attended the event this year. It is the Committee s hope that each student will learn something new about food production and walk away with a better understanding of the importance of agriculture. What Can You Do in a Week? We would like to extend a big thank you to the Leadership Alamance Alumni Association for taking on the challenge of organizing the Feed Alamance Food Drive that was held on October 26. Due to their passion and initiative, they were able to collect over 10,500 pounds of food! Thanks to their organizational skills, donations, volunteer hours and the use of their personal and professional networks, the Alumni were able to make a dent in the unprecedented need for food in Alamance County. The food was dropped off at the Allied Churches collection site, located in the former Shoe Department space at Holly Hill Mall, which will now be open 6 days a week for the donation of non-perishable food items. If you would like to contribute to the cause, it is never too late. The space will continue collecting food items on week days from 10 am 12 pm and 3 pm 6pm, as well as 12 pm 4 pm on Saturday. I enjoyed everything, especially the cows because I have never seen real life cows. I really wish to have a farm. -Alexander I learned about a bunch of things, like how to milk a cow and how people planted seeds back in the old days. It was really fun learning about bees and wood. -Skyler I didn t know that toilet paper comes from trees. Jorge Tuesday Tours for Teachers Tuesday Tours for Teachers is a partnership between the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Alamance-Burlington School System. These tours allow Career and Technical Education Teachers to see Alamance County at work and to hear firsthand the skills needed to fill local positions. This information is helpful as educators guide students as they explore career options and allows them to enrich curriculum with real world examples. The host gets to strut their stuff offering tours of the site, sharing marketing materials, and introducing teachers to key people in their organization. It is a great chance to discuss various jobs and opportunities within the company; the hard and soft skills needed, any specialized training that is required, as well as share pertinent industry trends. You can help shape our future work force by volunteering as a host. These after-school tours take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. once a month during the school year. For more information please contact Barbara Massey, Vice President of Workforce and Leadership Development, at

11 CHAMBER CONNECTION December 2013/January 2014 Page 11 new and NOTABLE ribbon CUTTINGS Dirt is moving. Walls are going up. Steel beams are being welded. Take a few minutes next time you re out and drive by the new Sheetz facility under construction on Whites Kennel Road in Burlington. Economic Development in action. Meredith Webb Printing Expansion Meredith-Webb, a Burlington based printing company, has grown, and is still growing. The chamber assisted with a ribbon cutting to celebrate an expansion of facilities, equipment and employees. The company is poised for growth from major customers ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals and to manage sales which have doubled in the last five years. An additional 13,000-square-feet and $6 million in equipment are next on the schedule for the company as well as the addition of approximately 10 new employees. The Little Gym, Burlington- September 27 th Alamance Partnership for Children- Outdoor Learning Environment, Burlington- October 17 th Original Log Cabin Homes, Mebane- October 18 th Jason Ross Auto Sales, Graham- October 22 nd Burlington- October 25th Meredith-Webb Printing Co., Burlington- October 23 rd United Way- Habitat for Humanity Home,

12 Page 12 December 2013/January CHAMBER CONNECTION WISHART NORRIS HENNINGER & PITTMAN, P.A. Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman has been named to the first-ever America s Top Ranked Law Firms list created by Martindale-Hubbell. Only 966 out of 254,000 law firms were selected nationally. Wishart Norris is one of only 23 North Carolina Law Firms to be selected. We appreciate our clients and those of you who refer matters to our firm for the opportunity to compete with the best South Church Street Burlington, NC Phone: Fax: Duke Energy is proud to be a supporter of the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce