On the Porch with Randy Voller

This Week: Rhonda Jean is the founder of Nearby Nearby, a local discovery platform built specifically for rural communities. After struggling to find accurate, up-to-date information when she moved to Pittsboro, North Carolina, Rhonda began building tools that make it easier to discover nearby businesses, events, parks, trails, and community resources all in one place. Nearby Nearby shows results based on what’s actually nearby, using location and community-verified information rather than paid ads. Rhonda is a rural innovator and community advocate focused on strengthening local economies, civic pride, and community resilience through better access to local information. The post On the Porch: Rhonda Jean – Technology Trajectory appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Jordan Jones is a musician, educator, and business strategist from Durham, NC. Throughout his career, he has worked as a performing musician, studio engineer, and educator. He has played with many groups including the US Army National Guard, Royal Jelly, and Liquid Pleasure. Recently he marched in the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena,CA. He now focuses on helping creative spaces and entrepreneurs develop sustainable revenue models around their work. Outside of his professional work, Jordan enjoys bowling, fishing, painting, and spending time with his family. The post On the Porch: Jordan Jones – Music is Life appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. Michael Joseph Roberto is a musician, historian, writer and retired NCA&T associate professor in contemporary world history. His first book, “The Coming of The American Behemoth: The Origins of Fascism in the United States, 1920-1940” was published in 2018. He is at work on a sequel about the increasing peril of American fascism since Donald Trump won the White House in 2016. The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford and Michael Roberto – American Fascism appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Adam Skolnick is an author and journalist who covers travel, adventure and endurance sports, and the environment. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Wired, Lonely Planet, and Men’s Health. He’s the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, and the ghostwriter and audiobook narrator of the bestselling David Goggins memoirs, Can’t Hurt Me and Never Finished. A frequent contributor on The Rich Roll Podcast, he lives in Southern California where he was born and raised. His debut novel, American Tiger, was published December 2, 2025. The post On the Porch: Adam Skolnick – A Writer’s Life appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Anderson Clayton is the current chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. In the 2020 election cycle, she worked in Iowa as a field organizer for the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, then for the Senate campaign of Amy McGrath in Kentucky. In 2021, Clayton returned to her home of Roxboro, NC and was elected chair of the Person County Democratic Party. In February 2023, Clayton was elected to a two-year term as chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Under her leadership, the NCDP has run candidates in all 50 NC Senate districts and 118 out of 120 NC House of Representatives districts in the 2024 cycle. The post On the Porch: Anderson Clayton – Energizing NC Dems  appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Rachael Newberry has deep experience leading innovation programs and technology-based economic development initiatives in partnership with organizations like RIoT, NC IDEA, and municipal government leaders. Rachael launched the RIoT Accelerator Program in 2018, leading growth to six locations and advising 160+ startups that have created 500+ jobs and generated more than $150 Million in revenue. Rachael also acts as a liaison between public and private sector partners to spur collaboration in the smart cities space and support entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Previously, Rachael built and ran a behavioral science-focused startup program at Duke University (though she is a proud UNC alum), where her work was featured at Google and in Forbes and Inc. Magazine. The post On the Porch: Rachael Newberry – NC IDEA appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Chef Arlena Strode is a culinary education expert and the founder of the Children's Culinary Institute. With a passion for nurturing young talents, she established the institute to inspire children to explore the art of cooking. Her award-winning curriculum is taught in over a dozen places worldwide, and she is the author of five amazing children's biographies about chefs in history who changed our culinary world. Chef Arlena's innovative approach combines interactive, hands-on experiences with a strong emphasis on education and creativity. Under her leadership, the institute continues to cultivate the next generation of chefs and food enthusiasts. The post On the Porch: Chef Arlena Strode – Cooking Up Fun appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Valerie Foushee is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. She assumed office in January 2023 after serving nearly a decade in the North Carolina General Assembly. In the 119th Congress, Rep. Foushee holds several key positions including Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (Committee on Science, Space, and Technology), and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy. Recently her key areas of legislative focus and advocacy have been Immigration, Environment and Healthcare, Accountability, and Campaign Finance The post On the Porch: Rep. Valerie Foushee – Representing NC District 4 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: NC Sen. Natalie Murdock is a native North Carolinian, UNC alum, and senate representative for District 20, which encompasses Durham and Chatham County. She served as Deputy Communications Director for NC Attorney General Josh Stein. She is the first woman of color under 40 to be elected to the NCGA and was elected in 2020 with over 100,000 votes. As a freshman senator she immediately filed over 100 bills that range from supporting black maternal health, expanding healthcare access for ALL to providing greater access to the ballot. The post On the Porch: Sen. Natalie Murdock – Fights for NC District 20  appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Beth Bronson is a 2026 candidate for County Commissioner of Orange County NC, in District 2. An Orange County native and UNC alum, Beth and her partner Dale, bought their first home in 2020 and rehabilitated their vernacular brick ranch into their forever home in the Mebane/Cheeks area. She has come up in both the local service industry and as a clinical researcher at one of the area’s top research hospitals. After working to ensure over-development did not change her neighborhood, she applied to multiple advisory boards, with current appointments on both the Planning Board and Board of Adjustments for Orange County. The post On the Porch: Beth Bronson – For Orange County appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Theo Nollert is the Policy Director at Carolina Forward, a North Carolina think tank, and is currently serving his first term as a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council. Before joining Carolina Forward, he ran the North Carolina Democratic Party's 2024 campus turnout program and was the president of the Graduate and Professional Student Government at UNC. The post On the Porch: Theo Nollert – Leading on Policy appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. James Wood is currently Professor of Latin American and modern world history at North Carolina A&T State University. He is the author of The Society of Equality: Popular Republicanism and Democracy in Santiago de Chile, 1818-1851 and the co-editor of Problems in Modern Latin American History: Sources and Interpretations, now in its fifth edition with Rowman and Littlefield. As a Fulbright scholar for Chile in 2016 he was a visiting professor at the Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago (where he observed Chilean student activism up close). The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford and Dr. James Wood – Local Historians Consider 2025 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Lisa M. Fedele is a creative strategist, community advocate, and entrepreneur dedicated to building vibrant, people-centered places. With a passion for arts-driven development and innovative food concepts, she leads projects that blend culture, commerce, and community impact. Her work spans downtown revitalization, small-business incubation, and storytelling that elevates local voices. In addition to her community work, Lisa serves as Global Creative Operations Lead at Cisco Systems, where she oversees large-scale brand programs, cross-functional creative workflows, and operational strategy. She is known for bringing clarity to complex initiatives, building high-performing teams, and delivering cohesive global experiences that strengthen Cisco’s brand and customer engagement.  The post On the Porch: Lisa Fedele – New Orleans to Siler City appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Service is a part of living for Bobbie Morel and food is her love language. Helping to lead the Chatham Alliance allows Bobbie to provide for her community while addressing food insecurity and do what she loves. Bobbie is married with 5 stepchildren and 8+ grandchildren. Her professional career was in the medical field and she later transitioned to electrical before retiring and moving from New England to North Carolina. Bobbie's faith is the cornerstone of her life. She is a dedicated member of Pittsboro Presbyterian Church. The post On the Porch: Bobbie Morel – Food for the People appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Walt McRee has held leadership roles with PBI and the public banking movement since its earliest years. In addition to serving as Chair and President (2015-2017), Board Director, and Senior Advisor, Walt has been centrally involved as co-founder and director of other public banking initiatives including the Pennsylvania Project and Banking On New Jersey. Following an extensive national media career, Walt created, produced and co-hosted radio and TV programs for public banking including, “It’s Our Money with Ellen Brown” on the Progressive Radio Network as well as “Public Bank Solution” TV series. Following his initial period as PBI Chair, Walt founded Public Banking Associates, a national consultancy of public banking experts helping legislators and policy professionals address creation of their own public banks. Walt has also held founding leadership positions in other public interest issues including world hunger, the environment, public broadcasting and the arts. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Geography from Valparaiso University. The post On the Porch: Walt McRee – Public Banking Solutions appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Elected as a Chatham County Commissioner in 2014, Karen Howard is a former attorney who lives in Northeast Chatham in a two-story Greek Revival house built in 1850 called the John A. Mason House. Commissioner Howard served as a member of the Chatham County Board of Education from 2012-2014. Born in New York, Commissioner Howard spent much of her childhood in the Bahamas. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgetown University and a LLB in Law from the University of Buckingham in England. In addition to serving as Chair of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, Commissioner Howard serves on the Governor’s Crime Commission, and the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees.  The post On the Porch: Karen Howard – The Mason House appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Nida Allam is a Canadian-American politician, political activist, and data analyst. She grew up in NC's 4th congressional district, the daughter of Indian and Pakistani immigrants. She attended North Carolina public schools and then NC State University, where she led a campaign to partner with local healthcare workers to provide free healthcare to low-income community members. Allam is currently the vice-chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, to which she was elected in 2020, making her the first Muslim woman to serve in public office in North Carolina.  The post On the Porch: Nida Allam – Running for NC Congress appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

James Whalen is an experienced appellate attorney in private practice at Brooks Pierce LLP. Earlier this year, he was part of the legal team that defended Justice Allison Riggs’s win and stopped a dangerous attempt to overturn a free and fair election. The post On the Porch: James Whalen, for NC Court of Appeals appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Sheriff Mike Roberson has been Chatham County Sheriff for 10 years and recently announced his bid for election as a County Commissioner in 2026. A dedicated law enforcement officer who promoted integrity, teamwork, and community involvement by supporting local businesses, churches, and community events, Roberson has training and experience in public safety, crisis response (including group crisis intervention), terrorism response, protecting and serving children, leadership and supervision, communication, diversity (including organizing against racism) and responding to medical emergencies. As a lifelong resident of Chatham County he is passionate about serving his community and is married to his high school sweetheart. The post On the Porch: Sheriff Mike Roberson – Community Policing appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week:  Lisa Sorg is the North Carolina reporter for Inside Climate News. A journalist for 30 years, Sorg covers energy, climate environment and agriculture, as well as the social justice impacts of pollution and corporate malfeasance. She has won dozens of awards for her news, public service and investigative reporting. In 2022, she received the Stokes Award from the National Press Foundation for her two-part story about the environmental damage from a former missile plant on a Black and Latinx neighborhood in Burlington. Sorg was previously an environmental investigative reporter at NC Newsline, a nonprofit media outlet based in Raleigh. She has also worked at alt-weeklies, dailies and magazines. Originally from rural Indiana, she lives in Durham, N.C. The post On the Porch: Lisa Sorg – Environmental News appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: NC Sen. Natalie Murdock is a native North Carolinian, UNC alum, and senate representative for District 20, which encompasses Durham and Chatham County. She served as Deputy Communications Director for NC Attorney General Josh Stein. She is the first woman of color under 40 to be elected to the NCGA and was elected in 2020 with over 100,000 votes. As a freshman senator she immediately filed over 100 bills that range from supporting black maternal health, expanding healthcare access for ALL to providing greater access to the ballot. The post On the Porch: Sen. Natalie Murdock – Good Work for NC District 20 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Liz Kline grew up in High Point, North Carolina, and graduated from East Carolina University in 2007. She joined Capitol Broadcasting Company in 2009 and recently celebrated 15 years with the organization. Throughout her career in partnership and non-traditional revenue development, Liz has earned numerous honors, including eight Salesperson of the Year awards, Employee of the Year, a National Association of Broadcasters Service to America Award, and a Regional Emmy for Best Public Service Campaign. A two-time Leadership Triangle graduate, Liz is passionate about driving both revenue and meaningful community impact. She lives in Wake Forest with her husband, Dennis, and their children, Henry and Molly. The post On the Porch: Liz Kline – Meaningful Community Impact appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate.  The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – October News Roundup appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Thomas Wolf is the author of The Called Shot: Babe Ruth, the Chicago Cubs, and the Unforgettable Major League Baseball Season of 1932 (Nebraska, 2020), finalist for the Seymour Medal from the Society for American Baseball Research, and coauthor, with Patricia Bryan, of Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America’s Heartland. The post On the Porch: Tom Wolf – Baseball in the Roaring Twenties appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Kimberly Sanchez has been a nonprofit leader for over 15 years, having come to Community Home Trust (CHT) as the former CEO of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (CLSMF), a nonprofit law firm and legal aid organization, headquartered in Orlando, Florida.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for Dispute Settlement Center, a statewide conflict resolution nonprofit headquartered in Carrboro. She is also a member of the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition and a past co-chair of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC).  Daniele Berman is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations for Community Home Trust. She plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic planning, effective program execution, and organizational infrastructure development. Daniele has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and was recognized for her work as a “Hometown Hero” by WCHL in 2016. She represents CHT as a member of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC) and the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition (NCCLTC) and has served as a Peer Coach with Nonprofit Marketing Guide The post On the Porch: Daniele Berman and Kimberly Sanchez – Community Home Trust appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit; Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro. Cathy Brooksie Edwards is the founder and director of heart2heartnc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Brooksie is dedicated to helping individuals navigate end-of-life with a greater sense of ease while supporting families, caregivers, and communities through their grief journey. The organization’s community-based events and personalized services are grounded in the power of human connection and the proven practice of various modalities—from touch and sound to movement and mindfulness. heart2heartnc is part of Sanctuary at the Burrow, a conservation green burial ground offering nondenominational end-of-life services and creating a meaningful experience that honors the dead and comforts the living. Brooksie is a licensed clinical counselor, death doula, bodyworker, kundalini yoga teacher and musician with over 25 years of experience. The post On the Porch: Tami Schwerin and Brooksie Edwards – DeathFaire: Celebrating Lives and Love appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Jennie Knowlton is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Quiltmaker Café, a nonprofit and donation supported restaurant in downtown Pittsboro that offers a full menu but no pricing. Having experienced food insecurity several different times in her life, Jennie’s top priority for the Café is to serve delicious, healthy, dignified meals to everyone who needs it in the supportive atmosphere of the restaurant. The post On the Porch: Jennie Knowlton – Quiltmaker Cafe appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Emily Sutton is the Executive Director of Haw River Assembly ("HRA") as well as being the Haw Riverkeeper. She joined the staff of Haw River Assembly in 2016, managing citizen science projects to watchdog against sediment pollution and monitor the tributaries and main stem of the Haw River. She has been Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, leading the fight for HRA against pollution in the Haw River on many fronts, including emerging contaminants, Jordan Lake nutrients, and sediment pollution. She is a current member of the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. Emily grew up paddling rivers in the Midwest, and moved to North Carolina to receive her B.A at Appalachian State University in Sustainable Development, where she studied Agroecology, Watershed Ecology, and Outdoor Education. Emily lives in Durham, NC. The post On the Porch: Emily Sutton – Riverkeeper for The Haw appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – September News Roundup appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Dan Kane is an award-winning investigative journalist for the Raleigh, NC newspaper The News & Observer. Kane, with whistleblower Mary Willingham, is credited for unearthing substantive academic fraud regarding student-athletes who were directed towards phony classes, according to allegations. Kane also covered NCSU, legislative corruption, and the formation of the state lottery. His reporting on NC’s secretive personnel law exposed how the state kept much information about state employees from public scrutiny, which led to a new state law to expedite information-gathering about the pay and performance of state employees. He is a 1983 graduate of Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. The post On the Porch: Dan Kane – Investigative Journalism appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit; Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro.  Kyle Shipp serves as the Mayor of Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he focuses on responsible growth, infrastructure, and transparent governance. He previously served as a Town Commissioner and Planning Board member. In his full-time role, Kyle works as an engineer in the data center industry, specializing in industrial control systems. He also serves as Board Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina, supporting youth development across the region. With a background in engineering and a passion for community service, Kyle works to ensure Pittsboro grows in a way that reflects its values and long-term vision. The post On the Porch: Mayor Kyle Shipp and Tami Schwerin – Sculpture Celebration at The Plant appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Arlo Estill is a farmer, artist, and entrepreneur in Pittsboro, NC. He runs Hempsmith Clothing Co., a sustainable, slow fashion brand and Little Pond Gardens which is one of the onsite farms at The Plant in Pittsboro. He practices regenerative agriculture by building the soil while growing food and continues to develop the food system at The Plant. He grew up at The Plant and now helps manage the project with his parents, Lyle and Tami.  Jason Rhoden is the chef and owner of Kingston 99 Kitchen, a Caribbean restaurant located in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Born and raised in Jamaica, Jason brings his rich cultural heritage and authentic family recipes to the table, sharing the soulful essence of Jamaican cuisine with the local community. The post On the Porch: Arlo Estill and Jason Rhoden – PepperFest 2025 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – August 2025 News Roundup appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Ellen Brown is an attorney and author of thirteen books and hundreds of articles (all on her blog at http://EllenBrown.com). Her titles include the bestselling "Web of Debt" and "Nature's Pharmacy," co-authored with Dr. Lynne Walker, along with "The Public Bank Solution" and her latest book "Banking on the People."  She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1967 and from UCLA Law School in 1977; practiced law for ten years in Los Angeles; then spent 11 years abroad, in Kenya, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, with her husband and two children. She co-founded and chaired of the Public Banking Institute from which she retired in Spring of 2025  The post On the Porch: Ellen Brown – Myths about Money appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Adam Edelen is a dynamic leader with a demonstrated record of success in both the private and public sectors. As founder and CEO of Edelen Renewables, he has garnered significant attention for forming partnerships to pioneer coal-to-solar projects and other green energy developments in struggling energy communities. His firm’s unique Social Impact Solar® approach reflects a deep commitment to economic revitalization and environmental sustainability. The post On the Porch: Adam Edelen – Bringing the Promise of Renewable Energy to Rural America appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Frank White is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Rhodes Scholar. He earned an M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University. Frank’s book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space studies. He has authored or co-authored additional books on a wide range of topics, including SETI, AI, and climate change. Frank is also co-executive editor of Sentient Media, LLC, President and Board Chair of the Human Space Program, and a Professor at Kepler Space University. The post On the Porch: Frank White – Space Philosopher appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Grant Welch is the Legislative-Political Director for Communications Workers of America NC  and president of the NC Democratic Party Labor Caucus. He and the CWA team have introduced and lobbied for multiple bills to keep our call center worker jobs in NC, expand access to affordable, high speed broadband, and repeal the ban on public sector bargaining. Grant is a 25 year member of CWA. He is active in his community through Rotary International. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Sanford and currently serves as Assistant Governor for Area 10, which includes Lee and Chatham Counties.  The post On the Porch: Grant Welch – Labor Issues appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Travel was John Foley's first passion so a career in the airline industry was natural. The smiles on the faces of the people he met while circling the globe shaped the person he is today. After studying medicine and graduating from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Foley began a 20-year career as a kidney dialysis technician. He even donated a kidney to a patient he was treating in Durham NC. In his latest chapter, Foley is a realtor and and town commissioner leading Pittsboro NC forward during a time of remarkable change. The post On the Porch: Commissioner John Foley: Pittsboro Updates appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Rebecca Dickenson is President & CEO of The Chatham Chamber, where she is leading a bold new chapter focused on business growth, regional collaboration, and strategic advocacy. With a strong background in chamber leadership and a track record of building high-impact partnerships, Rebecca works to connect local businesses with the opportunities, resources, and relationships they need to succeed. A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and lifelong North Carolinian, she brings a values-driven, results-oriented approach to advancing Chatham County’s role in the Triangle’s dynamic economic landscape. The post On the Porch: Rebecca Dickenson – Leading the Chatham Chamber of Commerce appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Michael Joseph Roberto is a musician, historian, writer and retired NCA&T associate professor in contemporary world history. His first book, "The Coming of The American Behemoth: The Origins of Fascism in the United States, 1920-1940" was published in 2018. He is at work on a sequel about the increasing peril of American fascism since Donald Trump won the White House in 2016. The post On the Porch: Michael Roberto – Fascism in America appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Noah Smalls is a curator, exhibition designer, gallery director, and consultant committed to advancing equity and social impact in the arts. He currently serves as Director of Exhibitions and Collections Management at the Williams College Museum of Art and as Gallery Director at Rush Arts in Philadelphia. The post On the Porch: Noah Smalls: A Peek Behind the Curtain of the Art World appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – June 2025 News Roundup appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Melissa Driver Beard, CORA, Executive Director Melissa has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, including 20 years in executive leadership. She has directed local, state, national, and international programs that advocate for basic human needs and rights. Under Melissa’s leadership, CORA has achieved over a 200% increase in income and an 88% rise in direct client services, demonstrating her ability to drive transformative growth. With a background in global advocacy, program development, and organizational capacity building, Melissa has championed solutions to food insecurity since 2009, fostering collaboration and sustainability. Rebecca Hankins, CORA, Development and Communications Director Rebecca brings more than 20 years of experience as a skilled fundraiser, communication strategist, and project manager. During her tenure at CORA, she spearheaded initiatives that increased fundraising revenue by 250% and expanded donor support by 50%. Rebecca is known for her creative approach to donor engagement, digital and traditional media strategies, and rebranding efforts that elevate CORA’s visibility. Her expertise lies in leveraging partnerships and technology to ensure program sustainability and community impact. The post On the Porch: Melissa Driver Beard and Rebecca Hankins – Battling Food Insecurity in Chatham appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Steve Sandeep Rao, a native of Charleston WV, Steve serves as an At Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017. He served as a Senior Business Development Executive at Alphanumeric Systems, a global tech company headquartered in Raleigh from January 2011 to May 2020 and now serves as Of Counsel and Adviser to State Federal Strategies, where he advises Technology Companies on State and Local Government Business Development Strategy. Council Member Rao is the longest serving Asian-American elected official in NC The post On the Porch: Steve Rao – Asian-American Leader appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Cal Cunningham is founder of Cunningham Law, PLLC, where he represents clients in real estate development and complex civil litigation. He is also manager of Axiom Property Development, LLC, to deliver workforce-affordable housing in the Triangle. Through Cunningham Capital, LLC, Cal engages in venture capital investment, is a board member of Archaius, Inc. (drone technology) and a member of the Charlotte Angel Fund. Cal also currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, most recently as deputy commander of a legal detachment. He is also a veteran of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2020, Cunningham was the Democratic Nominee for United States Senate in North Carolina. The post On the Porch: Cal Cunningham – Lifetime Tar Heel appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. The post On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – Presidential Corruption appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is a seasoned professional in business, community and economic development, policy, government, finance, energy, philanthropy and the academic worlds. He held two Senior Presidential appointments in the administration of President Joseph Biden from 2022-2025 following a distinguished career in finance, investing, business, higher education, and public service. Dr. McKoy served as the founding Director of the U.S. Office of State and Community Energy Programs (2022-2024) at the United States Department of Energy where his team managed 28 programs totaling $16 billion in funding, investing in all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and Washington, DC, while touching 250 million Americans. The post On the Porch: Dr. Henry McKoy – NC to DC for the Good of All appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This Week: David Delaney is a Chatham County Commissioner representing residents in District 3, which extends from Pittsboro to the Orange County line. Elected in 2022, David's county work has focused on strategic planning, climate change, and good governance. David is a cybersecurity and privacy attorney, former senior executive with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, West Point graduate, and army veteran. He has taught national security law at Indiana University and UNC Chapel Hill, he chairs the criminal justice committee of his NAACP branch, and he is an assistant scoutmaster with a Carrboro troop. The post On the Porch: Chatham Commissioner David Delaney – A Life of Service and Leadership appeared first on Chapelboro.com.