CHAPEL HILL, NC —The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce today announced that Katie Loovis has been named Vice President for External Affairs. Loovis’ service with the Chamber will begin on Monday, September 11, 2017.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Katie Loovis as our Vice President for External Affairs,” said Joel Levy, CPA, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Katie has incredible experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and in developing links and relationships between them. Her expertise will be extremely valuable as we build greater collaboration and foster a sustainable community where business thrives.”

In this role, Loovis will direct the activities of the External Relations Division of the Chamber encompassing government relations, advocacy, public policy, community relations, and external communications. She will be responsible for ensuring the interest and policy objectives of the Chamber and its members are successfully advanced and for building community awareness and public support. Loovis will also be responsible for promoting successful relations between government, community and education leaders, and the local business community, and for helping direct the positive impact of the Chamber’s Partnership for a Sustainable Community.

“I’m honored to take on this important position at the Chamber and serve my community,” said Loovis. “Businesses play a vital role in successful community and economic development and I look forward to fostering vibrant dialogue that includes the interests of local business, advances our community, and helps ensure this is a thriving place for all of us to live, learn, work, and play.”

“We are glad to welcome Katie back to Chapel Hill and to have her join the Chamber’s professional staff in this important leadership position,” said Chamber President and CEO Aaron Nelson.  “The Chamber and our business community will benefit from Katie’s experience and commitment to our community and I’m confident our community’s leaders will enjoy working with her,” Nelson continued.

Loovis most recently directed corporate responsibility for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where she led the development and implementation of a comprehensive U.S. corporate communications and engagement strategy. Her career in public service includes 5+ years as a key White House employee and as the Chief Operating Officer for the national nonprofit, Achieving the Dream. Loovis earned her BA and MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also captained the UNC Women’s Lacrosse Team.  Loovis will continue her important work as Secretary of the Board of the Directors for MyGoodDeed – the organization that leads 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce is a diverse membership organization of more than 1200 local businesses and nonprofits with a mission to serve and advance the business interest of its community and build a sustainable community where business thrives.