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The Voice of Business,
Industry & the Professions Since 1942
North Carolina's largest
business group proudly serves as the state chamber of commerce
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January 2005
NCCBI News
Interest Grows in
Annual Legislative Conference
In
a tradition that has become a hallmark of the two-way dialogue between
state government and the business community, NCCBI will stage its annual
Legislative Conference next month at the McKimmon Center on the campus of
N.C. State University.
About 400 are expected to attend the Feb. 1 conference to hear frank
remarks from leaders of the state House and Senate, both majority and
minority parties, as well as a host of other important figures in the
legislature and Administration. The chairs of NCCBI’s seven public policy
committees will report on research and recommendations their groups have
put forward for the association to pursue in the coming legislative
session. The General Assembly will reconvene on Jan. 26.
The exact lineup of speakers had not been confirmed when this was written.
Up-to-the-minute details are available at the NCCBI web site,
www.nccbi.org. Also, brochures and
registration forms were mailed to every member.
Interest in this year’s Legislative Conference should be a bit higher than
in the recent past due to the changing power structure. The November
elections gave Senate Democrats two additional seats and a 29-21 majority.
The House swung from 62-58 Republican to 63-57 Democratic. That signaled
the probable end of the power-sharing arrangement between House Democratic
Speaker Jim Black and Republican Speaker Richard Morgan.
A big crowd also is expected to attend the Legislative Reception that
evening at the Capital City Club in downtown Raleigh. The reception honors
legislators, members of the Council of State, Governor’s Cabinet, Supreme
Court and Court of Appeals.
The cost for NCCBI members to attend both the Legislative Conference and
the Reception is $100. For groups of five or more registering together
(such as a group representing a local chamber of commerce), the fee is
$75.
New members: Companies that joined or rejoined NCCBI in November,
along with the name of the key executive at each company, include: Bessent
Insurance Agency Inc., Paul Bessent, Kannapolis; Blythe Development, Jack
L. Blythe, Charlotte; Century 21 Russ Hollins Realtors, Michael Morris,
Albemarle; Craig Davis Properties, Craig M. Davis, Cary; Edward Jones Co.,
Andy Elliott, Elizabeth City; Electronic Test and Repair, Jerry Dry, Cary;
GFD Management, Miles Freedman, Cary; Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Barry
Eagle, Wilmington; Kelly Services Inc., Barry Brown, Raleigh; Kilwin’s,
Susan Vargesko, Raleigh; Motricity Inc., Shawntel Wuerch, Durham; News &
Record, Robin Saul, Greensboro; Office Environments Inc., Cindy Cox,
Charlotte; Office of Dr. Zeno L. Edwards Jr., Hon. Zeno L. Edwards Jr.,
Washington; Office of James G. Whitton, James G. Whitton, Salisbury; Pozen
Inc., Bill Hodges, Chapel Hill; Precision Walls Inc., Brian Allen,
Raleigh; Red Mountain Management LLC, Dennis Thompson, Charlotte;
Regulator Marine Inc., Joan Maxwell, Edenton; Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
Adam Derbyshire, Raleigh; Smith & Associates Inc., Ronald H. Smith, Cary;
Southeastern Lending Inc., Peter Heffring, Raleigh; The Moser Group,
Dennis Moser, Indian Trail; The Raper Law Firm PLLC, John E. Raper Jr.,
Fayetteville; Time Warner Telecom, Ken Chinchar, Charlotte; TLF Inc.,
Thomas L. Finger, Asheville; and Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind,
Daniel Boucher, Winston-Salem.
NCCBI Loses Its Top
Lobbyist
Leslie
Bevacqua Coman, NCCBI’s vice president of governmental affairs for the
past eight years, has resigned to join the public affairs staff of
Capstrat, a strategic communications firm based in Raleigh. She assumed
the new post the first of the year.
Coman is ranked sixth in the Center for Public Policy Research’s listing
of the 50 most effective lobbyists and is the highest-ranked female
lobbyist in the state’s history.
“I am thrilled to announce Leslie’s arrival at Capstrat,” said Ken Eudy,
Capstrat CEO. “She brings a deep knowledge of North Carolina government
and business, and is one of the most well-regarded leaders in this state.
She has built her career and reputation on a solid work ethic that will
benefit our clients.”
“Capstrat’s gain is certainly NCCBI’s loss,” said NCCBI President Phil
Kirk. “Leslie has not only been one of the state’s most effective
lobbyists, she has contributed to the improvement of the business climate
in North Carolina in so many ways.”
Bevacqua Coman chaired the steering committee of North Carolinians for
Jobs and Progress, which led this year’s successful Amendment One
campaign. In 2000, she served as campaign director for North Carolinians
for Educational Opportunity, the committee that successfully promoted the
$3.1 billion bond higher education bond issue, the largest statewide bond
referendum campaign for higher education in U.S. history. Capstrat served
as general consultant on both campaigns.
“She has been at NCCBI during a time of growth and progress for our
organization and she has been a prime contributor as a member of our
team,” Kirk added. “In addition, Leslie is an individual with strong
convictions, strong work ethic, and she is very loyal to her friends and
to NCCBI. We wish her well.”
Earlier in her career, Coman was head of government relations for a
Triangle law firm. She also served on Gov. Jim Hunt’s staff as
Appointments Aide for State Boards and Commissions, where she worked with
Hunt in making appointments to more than 400 state boards and commissions.
Coman has lobbied the N.C. General Assembly for 20 years.
“I’ve really enjoyed my years at NCCBI and the great friends I’ve made
through my work here,” Bevacqua Coman said. “The position with Capstrat
offers me a new career opportunity which I’m excited about. Even though
I’m leaving, I look forward to continuing a strong relationship with the
staff and volunteers at NCCBI.”
Coman will represent Capital Strategies’ clients who have business before
the N.C. General Assembly or in executive branch agencies of state
government.
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