Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson is looking forward to the day when the trains will again rumble down the tracks near downtown Henderson. The city’s history is closely linked to rail service that has all but dried up over the past few decades, but with talk of the S-Line passenger rail that will run through Henderson, there’s a buzz around town about what it could mean for the city.
This year’s annual Chamber banquet theme, in fact, is “All Aboard the Chamber Express,” which Wilkerson said embraces the idea of this county’s ties to the railroad – past, present and future.
“We know that Vance County really started with the train coming through,” Wilkerson said on Monday’s TownTalk. “We’re looking forward to the train coming back.”
As 2025 gets underway, Wilkerson has announced this year’s leadership team on the board:
Chair of the board of directors is Scott Burwell with Kennametal, Inc. Joining Burwell as first vice chair is Dr. Abidan Shah of Clearview Church; second vice chair is Mike Jones of MGM Products, Inc; treasurer is Desiree Brooks, with the Kerr-Tar Council of Government; Duke Energy’s Elizabeth Townsend will serve as secretary. Margier White is immediate past chair.
There are five new members to the board:
- Nichole Turner – Flex Desk 360
- Sam Seifert – Maria Parham Health
- Cara Gill – S.A.M. Advocacy Center
- Kevin Wade – Farm Bureau Insurance
- Richard Davis – A.R. Perry, Inc.
Wilkerson said the board members come from varied business backgrounds to form a cohesive group that works to make the community better. Each year, the board chair selects a theme to guide the Chamber’s efforts and help inform decisions. Wilkerson said Burwell has chosen “year of commitment” to reinforce the idea that working together is critical for a community’s growth and health.
Leadership Vance is one program the Chamber offers to those who live and work in Vance County. The deadline to submit an application for the 2025 Leadership Vance class is Jan. 24, and Wilkerson said there is space for 18 participants. Contact the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 to learn more about Leadership Vance or about the benefits of joining the Chamber of Commerce.
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