Robert Stolz
North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
By: Jim Kelley
    
                          
Luther Moore introduced Robert Stolz. Robert is President and CEO of Wurth Group of North America, headquartered here in Charlotte. He is also Chairman of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and a former Chair of the North Carolina Economic Development Board.
 
In his day job, Robert has responsibility for all of North America for the Wurth Group. The Group owns six different corporations headquartered in Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey and Charlotte. His company is an industrial distributor selling interior construction materials and automotive aftermarket products.
 
Robert said that he wanted to do three things during his presentation. First he wanted to talk about the state chamber and the many issues that they are dealing with as well as some of the very proactive initiatives that they are implementing. Second, he wanted to take off his chamber hat, put on his Charlotte hat and talk about the incredible opportunities that we as Charlotteans have with regards to the state. Finally, he wanted to answer questions from the audience.
 
Robert believes that great states are great because they exhibit excellence in three areas, called the pillars of a prosperous future and they represent the top priorities of the state chamber. First is education and workforce development. The state chamber helped push a bill that created the Jobs Commission. This initiative created a permanent legislative commission to advise the Governor and the legislature on ways to ensure that schools provide the technical and vocational skills necessary to compete in the world today. The chamber also strongly supported the NC STEM collaborative which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Business leaders say these four areas are much needed skills in all our schools. Finally the chamber is heavily engaged with the community college system to identify and implement efficient and effective ways to deal with the shortage of skilled workers for today’s advanced manufacturing jobs.
 
The second top priority of the chamber is infrastructure in the areas of transportation, water and energy. In the area of transportation the chamber wants to focus on how to best generate funding and reform the systems to ensure the dollars are spent wisely. In the area of water the chamber has called on the legislature to commit to an adequate water supply for economic growth and create new water storage capacity for the state. In the area of energy the chamber is monitoring and encouraging the effort to have Charlotte become a potential energy hub for the whole country.
 
The third priory of the chamber is competitiveness, i.e., taxes. The chamber is encouraging the legislature to focus on tax reform. The Senate’s plan is seeking to broaden the base and lower the rates in the three areas of taxes – sales, corporate and personal. The hope is they have a plan in place in 2010.
 
Robert closed out his presentation by talking as a private citizen not as the chairman of the state chamber. Charlotte has some great opportunities of which we ought to take advantage. In Raleigh, we have a governor who likes Charlotte and has actually opened an office here. The governor’s interest in Charlotte presents us an opportunity to engage more in the business of the state. There are over 100 state boards available for Charlotteans to join and become engaged in state business. If we don’t take advantage of this work on state boards, the positions will go to individuals from Eastern North Carolina. Impact follows involvement and engagement. So get involved.
   
  
Head Table: Tony Zeiss, Elly Clary, John Snyder, Luther Moore, Nancy Roberson, Steve Meckler;
Invocation: Tim Newman;
Visitors & Guests: Sandy Chambers; Health & Happiness: Harriman Jett; Song & Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel
 

• Leadership Charlotte will hold an open house from 6:00 to 7:30 on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Queens University of Charlotte – Sykes Rotunda. There is no charge but you will need to RSVP at www.leadershipcharlotte.org/home.
  
• Thanks to all supporters of Good Fellows and Good Friends; Sammy Black won the Christmas basket that was put together by the Inner Wheel; President John presented a little Christmas cheer and thanks to the hotel staff for their good service to Charlotte Rotary.

• Dick Klingman is retiring from Klingman Williams the end of December. Updated email: rklingman@carolina.rr.com; Spencer Williams has accepted a new job in Reno, NV.
  
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 
• Levine Children's Hospital Tour: BG Metzler is coordinating a tour of Levine Children's Hospital on Thursday, January 28, 2010. The tour will take about 45 minutes and you have your choice of attending at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Contact BG at bobnbg@earthlink.net.
  
• Junior Achievement Biz Town: Volunteers are needed to work at JA's Biz Town on Friday, January 29 or Thursday, February 25. Contact Jay Westmoreland, jay.westmoreland@smithbarney.com, for additional information.

Harold W. Cogdell, Jr.
Law Offices of Harold Cogdell, Jr., P.C.
harold@consultmyattorney.com  704-376-4464
                   
Harold Cogdell, Jr. is a native of Kinston, North Carolina. His father is a retired law enforcement officer, and his mother is a retired school teacher. Harold has a degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta national honor society and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He received his law degree from North Carolina Central University, where he was class president and worked as a law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  
After law school, Harold served as an Assistant District Attorney in Mecklenburg County. In 1998 Harold began the private practice of law concentrating on the areas of business law, corporate compliance and white-collar criminal defense. He is a former member of the Charlotte City Council and currently serves on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He is Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Board’s Economic Development Committee. He is a member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors and a board member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Development Corporation. Harold is an active member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Global Education Symposium - $500
Sponsored team of 4 to attend the Global Education Symposium’s 21st Century Skills for the Global Economy
 
Group Study Exchange/Ambassadorial Scholar Orientation - $420
Orientation program for Rotary Foundation Alumni and outbound GSE team members preparing to represent Rotary during their exchange year.
 
Trail of History - $2000
Funded marketing effort for a signature statue of Captain James Jack that will be placed on the Greenway and unveiled May 20, 2010.
 
Flight of Honor - $5100
Program to take WW II veterans to Washington, DC to see their memorial. 9 veterans and 3 guardians were sponsored on the September 19, 2009 flight.
 
District Showcase Project “Equipping for Success”- $1000
District Showcase Project implemented by Charlotte University City Rotary Club. Funds will be used to provide $50 worth of support to as many children in Alto Cayma, Peru as possible to buy books, school supplies and uniforms for the coming school year.
 
Foundation for the Carolinas - $5000
Silver Sponsor of the Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic, which provides scholarships for children of Medic, Fire, Sheriff and Police.
 
Classroom Central - $2500
Donation to support Backpacks Across Charlotte program, which provides support to children in high needs schools by supplying them with backpacks filled with basic school supplies.
 
Boy Scout Troop 39 - $450
Partial funding of Eagle Scout project to build nesting boxes for primarily Eastern Bluebirds that will be placed on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
 
Charlotte Rescue Mission - $2500
Donation to the Dove’s Nest Continuing Care Division which provides a structured 120 day residential program that addresses the many needs of women – spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially and physically.
 
The Rotary Foundation - $10,000
Support Rotary’s effort to eradicate Polio.
 
Junior Achievement - $1500
Support Biz Town program.
 
Youth Exchange Program - $7000 (budgeted)
Sponsor two exchange students, Leo and Anna, who are attending Charlotte Country Day and Myers Park High School for 2009-2010 school year.
 
Charter Gift for Troutman Rotary Club - $200
Provided start-up money for newly chartered Rotary Club of Troutman

Youth Merit Awards - $11,000 (budgeted)
$500 scholarship provided to high school senior in Charlotte Mecklenburg Public and Private schools.