"To improve the overall business climate for its members through sponsorship of programs which stimulate economic growth, promote civic development, and enhance political action"
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.
| Chairman of the Board | John B. Kincheloe | Bulluck Furniture Company |
| Chairman-Elect | Fred Turnage | Attorney at Law |
| Immediate Past-Chairman | William L. Boddie | Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc. |
| Treasurer | Jimmy Matthews | RSM McGladrey, Inc. |
| Chief Executive Officer | Edward J. Baysden | The Chamber |
| Chief Operating Officer | Shearin Johnson | The Chamber |
| Jeffrey A. Batts | Batts, Batts & Bell LLP | Public Policy |
| Lyn Brown | Providence Bank | Membership Services & Development |
| Lige Daughtridge | Daughtridge Sales | Business Services/Small Business |
| Wayne Ripberger | Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant | Business Services/Corporate & Industry |
| Tom Rogers | Workforce Preparedness/Education |
| Kim L. Bayless | Poyner Spruill, LLP |
| Reuben Blackwell | Opportunities Industrialization Center |
| 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 |
| Randy Evans | Benchmark Management Group |
| David Gooding | Eagle Press, Inc. |
| Michael Goodmon | Capitol Broadcasting Company |
| Rick Isaza | Hospira, Inc. |
| Howard Jackson | Grace Covenant Church |
| Bill Lehnes | Chick-fil-A of Cobb Corners |
| Nancy Liipfert | Nancy Liipfert Associates, Inc. |
| Sheila Martin | Dunn Center for the Performing Arts |
| Sonya Mastrodonato | Attorney-at-Law |
| Larry McAdams | Construction Imaging Systems |
| 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 |
| Mahler Thorp | RBC Bank |
| Morris Wilder | Ceco Building Systems |
| Clint Williams | Freedom Federal Credit Union |
| Russell L. Proctor, III | SmithBarney | |
| Pat Daniels | Nash Community College | |
| Rev. James Gailliard | Word Tabernacle Church | |
| Don Raper | BB&T Insurance Services |
| Steve Aloi | Universal Leaf North America | |
| Bob Barnes | Bob Barnes Consulting | |
| Gary Fazio | Boice-Willis Clinic, PA | |
| Verna Graff-Gessaman | RBC Bank | |
| Deborah Hodges | Crown LSP Group | |
| Dong Jin | Best Western/Rocky Mount | |
| Dr. Deborah Lamm | Edgecombe Community College | |
| Buckley Strandberg | Standard Insurance & Realty | |
| Tim Taylor | First Carolina State Bank | |
| Darrell Terry | Rocky Mount O.I.C. |