Your Membership at Work
The momentum didn’t stop for YOUR Chamber in the second quarter of 2025.Our focus on workforce development, advocating for business friendly policies, and creating opportunities for all was strong. We also ushered in a new era for the Chamber with the retirement of long-time President and CEO Pat Kahle.
Read on to see what we’ve been up to this quarter.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Scaling Smart Small Business Summit A Success
Over 100 Small Businesses were represented at the 2025 Small Business Summit. We hosted the summit in partnership with the Small Business Center at South Piedmont Community College and the Women’s Business Center of Charlotte.
The theme was “Scaling Smart” and included targeted presentations focused on providing information to help businesses thrive. Topics included:
• AI-Powered Marketing: Work Smarter, Not Harder – Facilitated by Wilmenia Gripper, W.E.G Consulting & Training Corp.
• Fireside Chat: What It Takes to Hire – Carolina Aponte with Caja Holdings and Nikki Pounds with HR Unequivocally
• Fueling Growth Panel: Unlocking Capital for Your Business – Elaine Fairman BEFCOR and Cleve Jenkins with Institute Capital, Inc.
Sold Out Women in Business Conference Helps Women Embrace Detours
May included the Annual Women in Business Conference, attended by a record-breaking 161 women. Speakers shared insights around the theme of Detours and Destinations.
Amy Bates from Circor shared about finding value Beyond the Title. Dr. Uma Suryadevara from Novant Health helped us understand the physical toll stress takes on our body. She was followed by Carenda Deonne with Stress Easy who shared practical strategies for dealing with stress.
The presentations ended with a panel of women who had The Courage to Pivot and shared lessons from their life and career detours.
Whitney Ross with State Utility Contractors noted, “The Union County Chamber’s Women in Business event was so inspiring. I left the event feeling empowered and ready to take on the day. All of the women who spoke were phenomenal and I left with genuine applicable nuggets of knowledge that I will carry forth. I felt rejuvenated after leaving this event. I cannot think the Chamber enough for hosting this.”
Ruth Lotharp with Common Heart also found the event inspiring. “It was so amazing to be within the room that celebrates the progresses we have made and the work yet to be done in advancing women’s leadership in business and community.”
In between presentations and lunch, attendees were able to visit a woman-focused Business Expo with over a dozen member businesses represented.
Nonprofit Workshop Gives Attendees an AI Edge
AI is revolutionizing the way organizations across the world work, which can be especially helpful for nonprofits. Nonprofit leaders are being asked to do more with increasingly limited resources. That’s why we focused the June Nonprofit Workshop on How to Use AI to Elevate Your Nonprofit Work.
Brian Francis, founder of Lumin Strategies, has been immersed in AI, using it in the efforts of Lumin Strategies to help Chambers with Public Policy and Legislative Agendas. He shared insights on how nonprofits can use artificial intelligence to streamline workflow, enhance fundraising strategies, generate revenue, and not just save time but improve the quality of work.
Nicole Elzayek is the Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Union County. She attended the conference, and shared “Such and educational workshop! I walked away with so many ideas.”
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
2025 Job Fair Helps Hundreds Seeking Work
YOUR Chamber partners with South Piedmont Community College, NC Works, Union County Public Schools and Centralina Workforce Development Board to host an annual Job Fair.
The Fair was on April 29 this year at the Union County Agricultural Center. More than 550 applicants attended, learning more about open positions at over 80 local businesses and organizations. Community partners also had booths set up to help with resumes, and with information on childcare and transportation services.
Middle School Speakers Bureau Wraps Up 2024-2025 School Year
May 1 marked the final Middle School Speakers Bureau day of the 2024-2025 school year.
The 2024–2025 school year saw participation from four Union County middle schools: Sun Valley Middle, East Union Middle, Parkwood Middle, and Porter Ridge Middle.
And the impact is measurable:
- • 1,803 students completed the exit survey.
- • 93.6% of students reported learning something new about local industry.
- • 81% of students said they were more interested in learning about careers related to the speaker’s industry.
2025 North Carolina Department of Labor Safety Awards Presented
The North Carolina Department of Labor Safety Awards honor organizations who are committed to maintaining a safe workplace. Each year, we partner with the NCDOL to host the Safety Awards Luncheon.
Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley was on hand to present the awards to the local recipients at the luncheon on June 5 at the Union County Agricultural Center.
ADVOCATING FOR A THRIVING ECONOMY
Chamber Public Policy Luncheon Focuses on Transportation Funding
Infrastructure investments are a core pillar of the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda. We support policies and initiatives that provide adequate, cost-effective public and private infrastructure essential for business development, growth, and prosperity throughout Union County.
Roads and transportation funding took center stage during the second quarter. In May, we partnered with NC Go for a Public Policy Luncheon on that topic. Speakers Tony Lathrop – NCDOT Board Chair, Brett Canipe – NCDOT Div. 10 Engineer, and Marc Finlayson – NC Go Chair provided a deep dive into the road funding process. They highlighted the critical infrastructure needs in our region, along with the steps necessary to secure funding for these vital projects.
CHAMBER NEWS
Helen Thomas Named Interim CEO
The Chamber Board of Directors named Helen Thomas as the Interim CEO in June. Thomas is well known throughout the community, thanks to 30+ years working at First Citizens Bank in Union County, as well as for her legacy of service.
Helen has stepped in following the retirement of Pat Kahle who had served for the past 11 years.
Director of Communications and Special Projects Jessica Rielly Graduates from Institute for Organization Management
On June 25, 2025, Jessica Rielly, Director of Communications and Special Projects, graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM).
Over the past 4 years, Jessica completed 96 credit hours in nonprofit management. This intense program is designed to prepare leaders to serve their communities and organizations with excellence.
THE WORK CONTINUES
It is YOUR partnership and YOUR investment that makes all of this work to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County possible.
