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Mission Statement The mission of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is to advance economic prosperity and to encourage public/private cooperation that will broaden the economic base and enhance the quality of life in our community.
Who We Are Rather, the Chamber is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization. It unites hundreds of companies, professionals, organizations, groups and educational institutions who are committed to build a better community. Clearly, most of our members are small businesses interested in creating and fostering a healthy environment in which to conduct business. But most importantly, the Chamber is people. People such as you—people who realize that through the Chamber, we can accomplish collectively what no one individual can do alone. The strength of the Chamber lies in attracting a great number of members, thus creating a pool of resources from which to draw ideas, energy and financial support.
In Appreciation
‘Better Business Is Our Business’ I want to express my appreciation to the full membership of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce for your trust in my ability to serve as President/CEO. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a hard-working group of individuals who truly do have a bias for action. We have a rich heritage as an association of businesses, organizations and individuals who want to make things better – our schools, our transportation system, our environment and our quality of life. We also have a bright future ahead. As the home of Appalachian State University, Boone has a built-in spirit of youthfulness and a reach-for-the-stars attitude. We offer excellence in health care to residents and to those retirement couples and second-home families who are attracted to our mountain scenery. Fueled by tourism, our local economy has a special resiliency. We tell people that the Boone area is open for business…and we are. Our programming theme for 2005-06 reflects this sentiment: “Better Business Is Our Business.” We also make the claim that the Boone/Blowing Rock area is North Carolina’s preferred business address. And, to my way of thinking, the best economic development marketing tool is a Chamber of Commerce that is strong and committed to excellence. The Chamber is the one organization in the community that is in the best position to make good things happen. But we need the involvement and input from the members to provide the firepower. I encourage you to help us make a real difference in our community. Dan Meyer
A Better Place to Live I want to thank all 900 plus members of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce for your faith in me to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for 2005-2006. I can assure all of you that I will listen and work very hard to continue the momentum of our Chamber. We have many reasons to be proud of this Chamber. Ours is one of the largest Chambers in the country for the size of our community. The Chamber works to gain members and then meet their needs. The numerous activities sponsored and supported by the Chamber are well attended, which points to the relevance of the Chamber to the members and to the community. We can all take pride in the actions that the Chamber has taken to support the economic welfare and quality of life in the high country. We are grateful to Immediate Past Chair Joedy Eller, who paved the way for a new era of collaboration between the business community, the university and the town and county governments. I look forward to working with Dick Jones who is serving as Chair Elect. Dick is the former Superintendent of Watauga County Schools. He brings a wealth of knowledge on education issues, which is one of the areas of emphasis for the Chamber. We have a bright future ahead that is filled with opportunities. The university’s new Chancellor, Ken Peacock, brings a high level of energy and ideas to the position. Our economy is one of the strongest in the state as shown by our unemployment rate. The economy is fueled by the university, tourism, and real estate sales boosted by retirees and second home buyers. The bond issue has brought about tremendous construction on campus, while tourism and real estate sales are relatively resistant to recession. We have an outstanding staff at the Chamber. Dan Meyer is still in his first year as president and CEO. With his fine leadership and administrative skills, the Chamber did not miss a beat when he assumed his position. He has helped my transition into the Chair position, for which I am very grateful. I am confident that Dan has the energy and ideas to lead the Chamber to an even higher level of excellence. I look forward to working with each of you this year and with the outstanding staff at the Chamber. Please join with me in a commitment to making Boone and the high country an even better place to live. Harry M. Davis
Chief Volunteer Leader Profile Harry received the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Member Award from the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School at ASU in 1995. He received the Teaching Excellence Award for 2004-2005 presented by Walker College of Business at ASU. Harry is the Chairholder (since 1980) and Economist (since 1981) for the North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA). As the North Carolina Bankers Association Economist, Dr. Davis puts together an annual and quarterly economic forecast that is carried by various news outlets. Harry is frequently interviewed throughout the year by newspapers, television and radio stations for stories on the economy and banking. He is a frequent speaker at state, regional and national banking conventions on economic and banking issues. Harry served as curriculum advisor and an instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking for several years and was named Dean of the school in 2004. He is an instructor for the Director’s College sponsored by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks and the FDIC. Harry is also an instructor for the North Carolina Insurance Executive Management School. Harry received his undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970, a masters degree in Economics at Vanderbilt University in 1972, and a Ph.D. in Finance at the University of Georgia in 1976. Harry serves as a consultant to several banks in the state and has helped numerous start-up banks. He served as vice-chair of the Board of High County Bank and is presently on the Board of Yadkin Valley Bank. In the community, Harry is a past Treasurer and President of the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club. He is a member of the Economic Development Commission for Watauga County and the transportation committee for the Town of Boone. Harry served for five years as the treasurer for the Watauga County Arts Council and is presently its Vice-President. Harry is a member of Boone United Methodist Church. He has served as Chair of the Administrative Council, Chair of the Board of Trustees and member of the building committee. Harry’s wife, Ann, is a former school teacher in Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia. They have one daughter, Carrington, who lives in Ashe County with her husband Tommy Hampton. | ||||||||||||||
