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NETWORKING BACK IN BUSINESS
Photography by Colin Huth
The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce presented its annual Leadership Forum and Holiday Reception on Dec. 15 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, which featured North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders as the keynote speaker. Secretary Sanders highlighted the state’s First in Talent strategic economic development plan in addition to the more than 22,000 jobs and approximately $10 billion in investments announced throughout the state just this year. She forecasts continued growth and connections into the life science, gene therapies and technology sectors, and emphasized the emergence of clean energy technologies that will lead us into the future. Durham County Commissioners Board Chair Brenda Howerton then highlighted Durham County’s efforts in workforce development and education in support of existing and new businesses. Then-Mayor-Elect Elaine O'Neal and Police Chief Patrice Andrews also spoke, giving a call to action for the community to make both professional and personal commitments to address the opportunities and challenges facing Durham. The 2021 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award was presented to Alice Sharpe for her outstanding contributions to the city of Durham. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in celebration of the holiday season following the forum.
1 RDU Airport
Authority board member Patrick Hannah, Durham County Commissioners Board Chair Brenda Howerton, Mayor Elaine O’Neal, and RDU Airport Authority board members Yesenia PolancoGaldamez and David Morgan.
3 Megan Anderson
and Sam Nichols, both of First Citizens Bank, and Melissa Chappell of the Durham Tech Foundation.
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4 Greater Durham
Chamber of Commerce’s Angelique Stallings and 2021 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award recipient Alice Sharpe.
5 Sen. Mike Woodard
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presents an award to the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce’s Bryan Fox, recognizing his partnership with the Durham Delegation to the N.C. General Assembly.
6 Duke Energy’s Indira Everett.
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2 Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews.
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