2018 AR for online v3

OUR MISSION: Support and advance the interests of the greater Wilson business community by providing networking,
advocacy, marketing, and education value to our members.
OUR VISION: Be the respected, representative voice of the greater Wilson business community, leading efforts to make
Wilson a premier destination for business.

































































This ANNUAL REPORT is produced to summarize the Chamber’s program of work, and highlight some of the
accomplishments that happened between July 2017 and June 2018. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting
wilsonncchamber.com and to support our members who are listed in our print and online directories.

The Chamber is governed by an 18
member volunteer Board of Directors
that represents a cross-section of our
membership and business community.
The Board’s primary responsibility is to
set policy and direct the Chamber’s
program of work.

The Board is led by a Chair who
typically serves a one-year term,
presiding over monthly board meetings
Bill Caldwell and acting as the primary advocate for
2018 Chair members of the Chamber.

Daily operations of the Chamber are
managed by a full-time professional staff,
dedicated to implementing the program
of work, attending to member needs, and
serving as spokespersons for the Wilson
business community.
The staff is led by a President appointed
by an Executive Committee of the Board
of Directors.
Ryan W. Simons has served as Ryan W. Simons
President of the Wilson Chamber of President
Commerce since 2013.





Mary Bonta
Office Manager
Customer Service, Clerk to the Board


Rebecca Tew
Membership Services Manager
Recruitment, Ambassador Liaison, Special Events



Tia Stewart
Relationship Manager
Retention, Dynamic Leadership Wilson



Michole Evans
Marketing Manager
Marketing, Communications, Special Events



Nikita Allen
Finance Manager
Accounts Payable/Receivable, Fiscal Responsibility



Becky Rose
Office Assistant
Customer Service, Special Projects



Wilson Chamber of Commerce
200 Nash St NE
Wilson, NC 27893
Phone: (252) 237-0165 | Fax: (252) 243-7931



wilsonncchamber.com @wilsonncchamber

Wilson NC Chamber @wilsonncchamber

Number of active members in the Wilson Chamber of
Commerce. Many are small, family-owned businesses
who have been members for generations.

Types of industries represented in the Chamber. No
matter your business type or size, we have a
membership tier that is right for you!

Number of member employees we engage with regularly.
Our contact list is always growing, and so is our reach to Businesses who are members of a local
your prospective clients and customers.
chamber of commerce are:
Data from April 2018
 29% more likely to be thought of as
using good business practices
We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to joining
Wilson’s premier business network. The Chamber offers  44% more likely to be thought of
10 affordable membership tiers, each with a favorably by consumers
corresponding benefit package that adds value to any
organization; regardless of size or type.  63% more likely to be revisited by a

consumer again in the future

The Schapiro Group (2012)



Founded in 1897, we
are the only local,

full-time chamber of

commerce that
serves all of

Wilson County







We’re more than just ribbon cuttings. We proudly host








From formal agendas to casual lunches, many of
these events are FREE for our members, and all of
them are designed to provide you value through
networking, marketing, advocacy, and education.

Our Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Award is the highest honor the Chamber
confers. Awarded every year at our

Annual Meeting, the honor is given to an
individual who has made a lasting
impression on the Wilson business
Eliot Smith community and inspires greater service to
Thomas Law Attorneys the Chamber.
2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year











A large portion of our membership is
comprised of small businesses.
Every May, we celebrate Small

Business Month, where we recognize
our Small Business Leader of the
Year at our kickoff event: the Small Dr. LaTanya Simpson
Business Banquet. Eastern Carolina Chiropractic
2018 Small Business Leader of the Year

“Our chamber of commerce is working every day to ensure that businesses can
be built and grow here. Small businesses create jobs and allow everyone a
chance to find the products and services they want in our hometown. Wilson is a
better place to live because we have a strong chamber of commerce.”
Mayor C. Bruce Rose, City of Wilson





“Our chamber of commerce cultivates business growth. This chamber fosters
new ideas, bringing together business leaders and engaged citizens in a
results-oriented manner.”
Rob Boyette, Chairman, Wilson County Board of Commissioners





Historic Downtown Wilson is in the midst of a Visitors to Wilson County generated over
renaissance. Dozens of loft-style apartments $1.2 million in hotel occupancy revenue
have been added and Whirligig Station will alone in 2017. Wilson is a destination for
occupy the former Hi-Dollar tobacco families visiting attractions like the Vollis
warehouse. While still the seat of Simpson Whirligig Park, Fleming Stadium,
government and justice in Wilson County, our home the Wilson Tobs, and multiple youth
downtown blocks are also home to craft sports tournaments held at the state of the
beer, unique artisans, and retail boutiques. art J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex.






The Chamber is proud to support the Wilson Economic Development Council, whose
mission is to “retain and facilitate the expansion of high quality business and industry
resulting in an increased tax base and new jobs for Wilson County.” Their
accomplishments in 2017 included:







Number of industrial Number of direct Millions of dollars to be
clients who chose to jobs to be created by invested in the local
locate in Wilson newly located economy by newly
County. industries. located industries.

Wilson County Schools enrolls nearly 12,000 public school Barton College is a co-educational liberal arts
students in 26 schools. Among them are two early college college offering 40 majors and programs at its
academies whose graduates can earn both high school campus near historic downtown Wilson. It’s MBA
diplomas and college degrees. Wilson Early College in Strategic Leadership program allows business
Academy offers accelerated academics in small, learner- leaders the opportunity to earn an advanced degree
centered classes. Wilson Academy of Applied Technology in as few as 16 months.
equips students with advanced skills to meet the high-demand
needs of industry.

Wilson Community College is an affordable
option to earn an associate degree, transfer
Two charter schools provide unique educational options. Sallie credits, certifications, and continuing
B. Howard School for the Arts & Education prepares over education. It’s AgriTech Training Program
800 students for careers in the performing arts, science, and is helping keep Wilson on the cutting edge of
humanities. Wilson Preparatory Academy uses a technology- agricultural production.
based blended learning concept to prepare students for college.

As a Duke LifePoint Hospital, Wilson Medical

Among area private schools, Greenfield School is a non- Center benefits from resources at both Duke
sectarian independent school that promotes the development of University Health System and LifePoint Health. By
2020, Wilson Medical Center will complete its $80
the total student through balanced and challenging college million renovation, providing an even greater
preparatory academics. patient experience.

Personal connections still matter. At the Chamber, we

provide our members multiple opportunities to NETWORK

with their peers in the business community. Polish your

’elevator pitch’ at a Chamber B2B event, or introduce


yourself to an elected official at our Annual Meeting.
Exchange business cards at an Accelerated Networking


Luncheon, or take a client out during our Chamber Golf

Classic. At the Chamber, there is always a new

opportunity to meet your next customer!

2837 Daisy Lane, Suite A
(252) 234-2924
www.timeandpayroll.com



































The Wilson Chamber of Commerce is the representative voice

of the Wilson business community, and we constantly
ADVOCATE for a stronger economy and higher quality of life

for all of our citizens. Whether it is crafting our Policy Agenda,

introducing a decision-maker at a Public Policy Series event,

or lending a business perspective to one of our partners like
2801 Nash Street North, Suite C
(252) 265-0035
Wilson 2020 Community Vision or Wilson Education

Partnership, know your membership investment helps us
create an environment where your business can succeed.

We’re committed to helping spread the word about your

business. Take advantage of our eMarketing and

sponsorship tools. Post news and information to our

SEO homepage that syncs automatically with our social

media feeds. Announce your arrival with a signature

Chamber ribbon cutting. These are only a few of the

exclusive benefits that help our members reach their

target MARKET.

Keeping our members informed is one way they gain an

advantage in the marketplace, and it’s why we’ve developed
strategies to EDUCATE them on the latest trends affecting their

business. Our acclaimed Dynamic Leadership Wilson

program orients business leaders to the unique complexities of

our community, and we regularly distribute publications with the

latest news about our market. We’re also happy to make
references to resources like the Small Business Center at

Wilson Community College, which are always working to make

our business environment more competitive.

Chamber AMBASSADORS are a team of

elite volunteers who reach out to their peers

in the business community, serving as

representatives of the Chamber, while

building their own personal network of

business contacts. Additionally, they lead

member recognition programs like Member
of the Month and deliver valuable insight on

how we develop our program of work.

The Chamber isn’t the only

organization committed to

seeing our business

community grow. 42 nonprofit
organizations are members of

the Wilson Chamber of

Commerce, and we’re proud to

partner with all of them to help

move our community forward.






Many of our partnerships have evolved into specialized
programming. We continue to acknowledge Wilson’s heritage

as a center of agricultural production, which is why we work

with the NC Cooperative Extension office on events like the
Farm-City Week Breakfast and the 4H Livestock Show &

Sale. We also know the value of giving back, evidenced by

our long time support of the United Way of Wilson County.

Contact us today about how our partnerships help to make
Wilson a great place to live, work and do business.






In 2015, along with Wilson 2020

Community Vision and the Wilson

Economic Development Council,

we created the Impact Initiative.

Now in it’s second cohort, the

program prepares capable


professionals for highly visible
public leadership roles in Wilson.

Public Policy Series events introduce our business leaders to experts in industry, government,
and education, whose decisions are directly affecting our economy and quality of life.































The Chamber’s 2018 Policy Agenda sets
priorities in the following issue areas. All of our

members are invited to provide input every year,
helping to shape how businesses are governed
and regulated in Wilson County.





EDUCATION | AGRICULTURE &

ENVIRONMENT | PUBLIC SERVICES
HEALTHCARE | TRANSPORTATION &

INFRASTRUCTURE

1923 J. W. Dailey 1945 R.L. Williford 1964 Milton Adams 1984 H. Lawrence Watson, Jr. 2004 Greg Turnage
1924 J. W. Dailey 1946 J. Ernest Paschall 1965 William R. Redding 1985 Kenneth R. Hyde, Jr. 2005 Paul N. Blake III
1925 T. Boddie Ward 1947 Dr. Badie T. Clark 1966 Morgan Paul Dickerman 1986 Jerold L. Morris 2006 Duran R. Broadhurst
1926 Selby H. Anderson 1948 Hobb W. Anderson 1967 W. H. Thomas 1987 Charles R. Russell 2007 Eliot F. Smith
1927 Graham Woodard 1949 E. H. Suessmuth 1968 William A. Bridgers 1988 Charles R. Russell 2008 Jim Pridgen
1928 Thomas H. Woodard 1950 E. H. Suessmuth 1969 Worden Allen, Jr. 1989 Henry G. Williamson, Jr. 2009 Johnson Bissette
1929 Thomas H. Woodard 1951 O.T. Kirkland 1970 U. Hubert Cozart, Jr. 1990 Henry H. Walston IV 2010 Johnny Hackney III
1933 Penn T. Watson 1952 Edgar B. Towe 1971 William C. Herring 1991 David W. Woodard, Jr. 2011 Will Farris
1934 Fred Shumate 1953 Harold Seburn 1972 William C. Herring 1992 A. Winnette Peters 2012 Ken Jones
1935 Troy Myatt 1953 Joseph L. Eagles 1973 John M. M. Gregory, Jr. 1993 Charles O Rivers 2013 Joseph L. Evans
1935 A. D. Shackelford 1954 Carl Quinn 1974 Daniel J. Hensley, Jr. 1994 John S. Byrd 2014 Joseph L. Evans
1936 Dr. Mallory A. Pittman 1955 H. Moseley Hussey, Jr. 1975 Robert B. Frantz 1995 John S. Byrd 2015 Christy Proctor
1937 David W. Woodard 1956 William D. Adams 1976 Bobby Frank Jones 1996 Patrick S. Ryan 2016 Wes Berry
1938 James I. Miller 1957 O. T. Kirkland 1977 R. Woody Harrison 1997 Raeford L. Flowers 2017 Gary Q. Davis
1939 J. J. Gibbons 1958 Joe Barshay 1978 John Campbell 1998 Thomas R. Sallenger 2018 Bill Caldwell
1940 John N. Hackney 1959 E. Sharpe Newton 1979 H. Lynn Broadfoot 1999 Bruce Jackson
1941 Paul B. Bissette 1960 B. B. Plyer, Jr. 1980 David M. Nisbet 2000 John McQuade
1942 William“Billy” Barnes 1961 Jack L. Satchwell 1981 Thomas O. Riley 2001 Milo Gibbs, Jr.
1943 Arthur A. Ruffin 1962 Harry Severance 1982 Walter W. Blake 2002 Randy Harrison
1944 Robert E. Kirkland 1963 Doug Tabb 1983 David L Hacker, Jr. 2003 Coalter Paxton III








1995 Edna Earle Boykin 2003 A. Winniette Peters 2011 Donald I. Evans
1996 Avant P. Coleman 2004 Lee Gliarmis 2012 Gary Farmer
1997 James B. Hunt, Jr. 2005 John Hackney, Jr. 2013 Henry Walston
1998 John E. Byrd 2006 C. Bruce Rose 2014 Bill Myers
1999 Russell Stephenson 2007 James McKinnon 2015 Norval & Susan Kneten
2000 Russell Thompson 2008 Frank Emory 2016 Howard Jones
2001 Betty Ray McCain 2009 Marvin Coghill 2017 Dell Joyner
2002 Charles Branford 2010 Woody Harrison 2018 Eliot Smith

Invest in the Chamber today, and be part of shaping our community for tomorrow!