Rocky Mount Today

When:

Thursday, December 1, 2022 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM EST

Where:

Rocky Mount Event Center Edgecombe Room 285 NE Main St. Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Looking back at 2022 and forward towards 2023, there is much to be thankful for, and there is more to anticipate for. Transition and uncertainty continue, especially influenced by current inflation and labor force challenges, interest rate increases, energy supply concerns, and the potential impact of November elections. There is also the potential for our area to experience rapid growth within the immediate future through expansion of high-tech manufacturing, residential migration, and more. How do we prepare, as individuals, businesses, and a community, to respond to the changes lying ahead? 

 Join the Chamber for our annual Economic Forum, featuring presentations and discussions by a panel of knowledgeable economists and experienced economic development specialists. You will have the opportunity to gain additional understanding and apply what is shared to enable yourself and your business to take advantage and grow in 2023. 

 Moderator:

Kenneth Hunter, City of Rocky Mount 

Kenneth has served in management with the City of Rocky Mount since 2006 and is currently the Assistant to the City Manager for Budget & Evaluation. Kenneth has 25 years’ experience in public sector budgeting, economic analysis, finance, and management. Kenneth also serves as Adjunct Faculty with the School of Public & International Affairs at North Carolina State University, teaching classes in Policy Analysis and Applied Political Economy. A native of Middle Tennessee, Kenneth is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University and The University of Georgia. 

Panelists:Machelle Baker Sanders,

North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in February 2021 as Secretary to lead the North Carolina Department of Commerce, enlisting her experience as former Administration Secretary, strong background as a business leader and her extensive knowledge of what it takes to build a globally competitive workforce. Secretary Sanders’ vision for North Carolina’s post-pandemic economic restoration is to work with partners to attract better paying jobs, support small businesses, and stimulate our state’s innovation and entrepreneurial economy. Her bold and purposeful leadership aims to ensure North Carolina’s diverse state is an inclusive one that works for all people. 

Sanders brings 30 years of strong management and leadership experience to Commerce as a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive, previously serving as vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen’s largest manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park. She’s also held leadership positions overseeing manufacturing, global quality assurance and quality control functions at Biogen, and other pharmaceutical companies. 

A graduate of North Carolina State University, Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. 

Kenny Flowers,

Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Commerce Kenny serves as the Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. In this role he provides guidance for the Department in its efforts to support rural communities and help foster rural prosperity. 

Prior to joining N.C. Commerce, Kenny served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community and Regional Development at East Carolina University's Office of Innovation and Economic Development. Kenny has also served as Director of Rural Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and as a Fiscal Analyst to the Appropriations Subcommittee for Education at the North Carolina General Assembly. 

Mr. Flowers received his Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and his bachelor's degree in Public Policy and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Augustine (Gus) Faucher,

Chief Economist, The PNC Financial Services Group Augustine (Gus) Faucher is senior vice president and chief economist of The PNC Financial Services Group, serving as the principal spokesperson on all economic issues for PNC.  Prior to joining PNC, Faucher worked for at Moody’s Analytics and the U.S. Treasury Department, as well as teaching at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Faucher is frequently cited in international, national, and regional media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He is regularly featured on CNBC, CNN and Fox Business.  Faucher earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in labor economics and public economics. He also has a B. A. in economics from Cornell University. 

Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi,

Associate Professor of Economics, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Mouhcine Guettabi joined the University of North Carolina Wilmington from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) where he was an associate professor of economics. He earned his PhD in economics with an emphasis on Urban and Regional Economics from Oklahoma State University in 2012. He is an applied microeconomist with two main streams of research: the effect of natural resources on households and communities, and the socioeconomic effects of unconditional cash transfers. His recently published research can be found in some of the leading economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, and the Journal of Regional Science. 

Norris Tolson,

CEO & President, Carolinas Gateway Partnership Since 2016, Norris has led the industrial economic development efforts of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership. His long and distinguished career includes past service as North Carolina’s Secretary of Revenue, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Commerce, President & CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.  Norris’ public service career commenced after retiring from 28 years of service to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. With DuPont, he held various domestic and international research, marketing and sales responsibilities. An Edgecombe County native, Tolson graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in crop science and agribusiness in 1962. 

Susan Phelps,

Economic Development Manager, Nash County Susan was Nash County’s first hire for their Department of Economic Development in 2017. Since then, she has led and coordinated business, commercial, and industrial development projects throughout the County. Prior to working with Nash County, Susan worked for the City of Rocky Mount, Granville County, and Summit Hospitality. A native of Oxford, NC, Susan is a graduate of North Carolina State University and East Carolina University. 

 This event is brought to you in partnership with the City of Rocky Mount, The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rocky Mount Event Center.

 We thank all of our sponsors who are listed below.Rocky Mount Event Center, PNC Bank, Mayor Sandy Roberson, Cummins Rocky Mount Engine, First Carolina Bank, Southern Bank, Cargo Transporters, Boddie-Noell, Electricities, Providence Bank, Truist and Davenport Auto Park, CloudWyze

Doors Open 7:30 am 
Breakfast buffet opens at 8:00 am
^Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
^Breakfast Sausage
^Hickory Smoked Bacon
^French Toast
^Grits
^Orange and Cranberry Juice
^Sliced Fresh Fruit and Berries
^Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee 

 Registrations are Non-Refundable once purchased.

Event is held at the Rocky Mount Event Center; Edgecombe Room285 NE Main St, Rocky Mount, NC 27801

Call the Chamber office with any questions - 252-446-0323.

Original source can be found here.