Page 28 - Harnett Life Spring 2019

New Leader for A

New Day

By Brian Allen

After nearly 30 years, it is a new day at the Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce.
Heather Lawson, the former executive assistant began her new role as Executive
Vice President in November. Heather is taking the reins as Tammy Williams be-
gins a new journey with the City of Dunn.

Heather came to Dunn from Asheville, North Carolina seven years ago. In Ashe-
ville, she worked for the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau as their Tour-
ism Sales Manager. As a professional and a community leader, Heather has a deep
appreciation for Dunn’s connection with the military community.
Heather Lawson
Executive Vice President She comes from a military family who has lived in different places throughout the
country. But she still holds Montrose, Colorado close to her heart because some
of her family remain there and she graduated from Western State College. Heath-
er is married to David and has a five -year –old, Henry, who is in kindergarten at Harnett Primary.

As the new leader of the chamber, she says “every town and city have its own unique challenges”.

Heather views Dunn as a place that has a lot to offer small business owners or a corporation looking to relocate or expand.
Her priority, with the board, is to continue to help make the city viable for others to live, work and place. As the chamber
evolves under Heather’s leadership, she will continue to lead the partnership with the City of Dunn, the county and state
to advocate for education and economic development.

Part of this partnership is to work to implement the vision of the board for the city, that includes, working to lower the
poverty rate, recruit more restaurants, quality housing, enhanced medical services and physicians, and additional retail
options to attract a diverse population.

The Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce has a record of success, but like other chambers, their goal is to grow membership
and to offer programming and promotional opportunities for the businesses they represent.

Heather says “the chamber is like the center of a spindle of a wheel. The businesses are the spokes and the community
is the rim. The wheel does not move if all of the parts aren’t working together”. As the executive vice president for the
Dunn chamber, Heather will continue to help move us all forward!

Page 28 Harnett Life ~ Spring 2019