April 2002

Hyler commission on government efficiency re-examines GPAC
The Governor's Commission to Promote Government Efficiency and Savings on State Spending, chaired by NCCBI Chair Jim Hyler, held its second meeting on April 4. The committee looked at the recommendations made to the state in 1993 by the Government Performance Audit Committee (GPAC), got an update on Medicaid and heard reports from its three subcommittees.

Chairman Hyler indicated to the committee that while some of the GPA recommendations have been adopted, those that have not been adopted or need further study should be the "point of departure" for the commission in making its recommendations to the governor.

The three subcommittees  -- Government Structure, chaired by NCCBI member Watts Carr; Capital Management, chaired by Secretary of Administration Gwynn Swinson; and Process, chaired by NCCBI Second Vice Bill Coley -- are actively working on recommendations and will report back to the full commission on May 23 with their ideas to be considered and if approved forwarded to the General Assembly prior to the 2002 legislative session. A more extensive report is expected by the end of the year.

NCCBI recently e-mailed a request to our members asking for any recommendations that you might have where the state could save money and/or be more efficient in delivery of services. All recommendations that have been sent to us have been forwarded to the commission chair, sub-committee chairs, and appropriate staff. If you have any recommendations on areas where the Commission might look for potential savings, please e-mail them to Leslie Bevacqua at lbevacqua@nccbi.org.


Directors celebrate successful year at reception
Members of the NCCBI Board of Directors enjoyed a relaxing evening the night before the annual meeting during a reception held at the N.C. Museum of Art. In addition to the great networking opportunities, board members also were treated to drawings for prizes as a reward for their work in recruiting new members for the association. NCCBI thanks the companies listed below for the prizes and the board members who won them.

Angus Barn donated an $80 gift certificate won by Bruce Biggs. Inn on Biltmore Estate donated a one night stay and the Biltmore Estate donated two tickets to tour the house, garden and winery won by David Sink. Classic Gallery donated a beautiful chair won by Gordon Myers. T.W. Garner donated a gift box of Texas Pete, a shirt and a hat won by David Huskins..Lowe’s Motor Speedway donated two tickets to Winston Pole Night and tickets to a Winston Cup race won by Kelly King. Martin Marietta donated a one week stay at a house in Sea Pines, Hilton Head, won by Marvin Musselwhite. Pepsi donated a golf bag and a dozen golf balls won by John Forlines. Pinehurst donated a round of golf for four on the Centennial Course (Pinehurst No. 8) won by Linwood Davis. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club donated a round of golf for four won by Ed Rose. SouthTrust Bank donated five shares of bank stock won by Joan Zimmerman. Tryon Palace donated two gift certificates to tour the historic site won by Jim Causby.


Hyler, Kirk address Caldwell County event
NCCBI Chair Jim Hyler and NCCBI President Phil Kirk addressed the Caldwell County “Great Balls of Fire” event on March 25 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. The event was designed to showcase Caldwell County to economic developers.

Hyler spoke about the effects of the recession on Caldwell County and North Carolina. He also highlighted the work of the Governor’s Government Efficiency Study Commission, which he chairs. In addition, he discussed NCCBI’s top legislative priority – limiting the length of legislative sessions.

Kirk commended the community for establishing the Career Center, the first vocational high school established on a community college campus in North Carolina. He also called the Caldwell County area one “which looks for solutions, rather than excuses.” He plugged the need for a continued emphasis and improvement of workforce development.

Other NCCBI members who spoke were Dale Carroll of AdvantageWest and Ray Denny of the Department of Commerce.

 
Council of Associations holds first meeting
The initial meeting of the NCCBI Council of Associations was held on Feb. 11 at NCCBI with approximately 45 association executives in attendance. The group was formed to promote communication and idea-sharing among the dozens of business associations that are members of NCCBI.

Leslie Bevacqua, vice president of governmental affairs, discussed the recent session of the legislature and asked for help in getting a constitutional amendment to limit the length of legislative sessions passed. A panel composed of Sondra Davis of the Governor’s Office, Norma Mills of the Senate President Pro Tem’s office, and Meredith Norris of the Speaker of the House’s office discussed the appointment to boards and commissions process in their respective offices.

The council is open to executives of all statewide trade associations that are members of NCCBI. The group will meet three times a year to discuss issues of interest to association executives. Rosemary Wyche will staff the group.

Membership News: New members from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 include: Advisory Group, LLC, Raleigh; Alston & Bird, Raleigh; Barker & Lovette, Raleigh; Contract Office Furnishings, Winston-Salem; Cornerstone Bank, Wilson; Creative Services Inc., High Point; D.R. Reynolds Co., Inc., Star; Duplin County Board of Education, Kenansville; Egolf Motors Inc., Hendersonville; Johnson Controls Inc., Charlotte; LS3P Associates, Ltd., Charlotte; Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Durham; N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, RTP; Office of Norman H. Berry, Newton; Paxton Van Lines of North Carolina Inc., Burlington; Porvair Fuel Cell Technology, Hendersonville; Reidsville Chamber of Commerce, Reidsville; Robinson Lumber Co., Lenoir; Sampson County EDC, Clinton; The Wilson Daily Times, Wilson; United States Tobacco Co., Mooresville; Wayne Memorial Hospital, Goldsboro; Wilkinson Hi-Rise, Raleigh; and Winding River Plantation, Southport.

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