LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 26, 2006


CHAMBER CONSULTANT DANNY HEARN
TO GIVE ASSESSMENT OF LEE COUNTY

SANFORD -- After months of leading focus groups and reviewing survey data as a consultant for the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, Danny Hearn has come to know Lee County fairly well.

And now, he's ready to give an assessment of the community in "Follow Me ... I'll Be Right Behind You," his look at local issues and how civic leaders can help create prosperity.

His presentation to the Committee of 100 will be held Oct. 18 at Chef Paul's Cafe in Sanford. The luncheon meeting begins at noon and is open to the public.

Hearn, president and CEO of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, said his message will draw on findings from the Sanford Area Chamber Membership Survey and focus groups that included leaders from more than 50 area businesses.

"We asked people how they see their chamber and community dealing with a range of issues," Hearn said. "They included dealing with growth, creating membership value, staying relevant and building collaborative partnerships that will drive economic prosperity for Lee County.

"The bottom line is this: How do business and economic groups transition from being 'valuable' to being truly 'essential?'"


Hearn has been widely recognized for excellence in chamber leadership.

He was twice named North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year, in 1981 and 2000, and serves on the board of directors for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. For 15 years, the Certified Chamber Executive also has been a faculty member for the United States Chamber Institute, and he served on the institute's board of trustees from 1999 to 2001.

After a series of positions that included work with chambers of commerce in Rockingham, Statesville and Norfolk, Va., Hearn returned two years ago to Hickory, where his career began in 1973 after graduating from Lenoir Rhyne College.

When his 30-minute presentation concludes, Hearn will answer questions from the audience.

All Committee of 100 meetings are open to the public; the cost, including lunch, is $15 per person for the general public and $10 per person for members. For reservations or information, contact Jane Haber at the Lee County Economic Development Corp., 919-774-8439 or info@lcedc.com.

The Committee of 100 is an organization of business leaders committing time, energy and resources to enhance the economic well-being of Lee County and its citizens. Corporate and individual members assist the Lee County Economic Development Corp. by establishing venture capital projects to expand local industry, helping to promote economic growth and enhancing working relationships among government, business and the community.

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Media Contacts

Bob Heuts, Director
Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant
919-774-8439   (phone)
919-775-5410   (fax)
info@lcedc.com (e-mail)


More on the Web

 LCEDC Media Web: http://www.lcedc.com/media/
 This release:    http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr092606.txt

 Danny Hearn Mug Shot
   (2.8 MB JPEG, courtesy of Danny Hearn)
   http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/releasephotos/DannyHearn.jpg
 Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
   http://www.catawbachamber.org