OUR MISSION
"To improve the overall business climate for its members through sponsorship of programs which stimulate economic growth, promote civic development, and enhance political action"
AREA HISTORY | BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The organization was founded as the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce on July 11, 1904 when "a mass meeting of citizens of the town of Rocky Mount was held in the Mayor’s office." From this, a committee was appointed to nominate a Board of Directors and to submit a constitution and bylaws. The first Chairman of the newly formed Chamber was Mr. J.C. Braswell. At the time, the population of Rocky Mount was 3,400, and The Chamber staff was comprised solely of volunteers.

Many of the early Chamber programs were agriculturally oriented, but in 1940, the emphasis shifted to industrial development. A narrative by William E. Bobbitt dated August 1, 1949, described the goals and objectives of The Chamber in words that mirror today’s Chamber Mission Statement: "The Chamber of Commerce is constantly and continuously working for the agricultural, cultural, industrial, and civic development of Rocky Mount and its two adjoining counties of Nash and Edgecombe,". . .

In keeping with that commitment to serve the broader geographic area, The Chamber changed its name to The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce in August 1978.

Since that time, the organization has embarked on an aggressive agenda addressing issues in Member Services, Education, Business Development, Business Recruitment, Welfare Reform, Government Relations, and Community Investment.

In 2004, The Chamber celebrated its 100th year of service to the area with a "Night of Notables" featuring several esteemed native sons and daughters. The program and other yearlong promotions brought statewide, regional and national exposure to the organization.

Today’s Chamber membership is 750 strong, and the organization boasts a 14-member Executive Committee, a 27-member Board of Directors and a staff of seven. The "Twin County" region of Edgecombe and Nash County that is served by the Chamber has a population of some 145,000 people.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE-Officers
Chairman Bill Boddie Boddie-Noell Enterprises
Chairman-Elect John Kincheloe Bulluck Furniture Company
Immediate Past Chairman Russell Proctor Smith Barney
Treasurer Jimmy Matthews RSM McGladrey, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer Eddie Baysden The Chamber
Chief Operating Officer Shearin Johnson The Chamber
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE-Vice Chairmen
Pat Daniels Nash Community College
James Gailliard Word Tabernacle
Howard Jackson Grace Covenant Church
Don Raper BB&T Insurance Services, Inc.
Wayne Ripberger Consolidated Diesel Company
Tom Rogers  
Mahler Thorp RBC Centura
Clint Williams Freedom Federal Credit Union
DIRECTORS
Steve Aloi Universal Leaf North America
Bob Barnes Bob Barnes Consulting
Jeffrey A. Batts Batts, Batts & Bell, LLP
Kim L. Bayless Poyner & Spruill LLP
Steve Butcher Residence Inn and Courtyard
Lorenzo Carmon Edgecombe County
Dr. Bill Carver Nash Community College
Larry Chewning Nash Health Care Systems
Abraham Cox BB&T
Herb Evans Eagle Transport Corporation
Gary Fazio Boice-Willis Clinic, PA
David Gooding Parson's Woodworking, Inc.
Verna Graff-Gessaman RBC Centura
Deborah Hodges Crown LSP Group
Rick Isaza Hospira
Dong Jin Best Western/Rocky Mount
Dr. Deborah Lamm Edgecombe Community College
Nancy Liipfert Nancy Liipfert Associates, Inc.
Sonya W. Mastrodonato Attorney at Law
Bob Murphy Nash County
David Purinai Mayo, Simmons & Harris Insurance
Steve Raper City of Rocky Mount
Chris Robbins Southern Bank
Mary Ruffin Mary Ruffin Agency-Nationwide
Buckley Strandberg Standard Insurance and Realty
Tim Taylor First Carolina State Bank
Darrell Terry Rocky Mount O.I.C.