America’s global leadership strengthens our national security and bolsters North Carolina’s economy.  Our Charlotte luncheon discussion overviewed the benefit that our investment in the world brings to our community and local businesses.

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Featured Speakers

Sharon Allred Decker

Sharon Allred Decker was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Gov. Pat McCrory in January 2013. She brings more than 30 years of experience in business and commerce to the position, including 17 years with Duke Power Company, now Duke Energy. Decker became the youngest and first female vice president in Duke Power’s history and was instrumental in creating its 24-hour customer service center, an organization that still serves as a model for the industry.

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)

Senator Burr is the senior Senator from North Carolina and was elected to the Senate in 2004. He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and also serves on the Finance Committee; the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. In 2009 he was named the Chief Deputy Whip of the Senate GOP leadership. Previously, Senator Burr served in the House of Representatives and represented North Carolina’s 5th district, encompassing the northwestern corner of the state, from 1995-2005. In the House, he was a member of the House International Relations Committee.

Lt. General William E. Ingram, Jr., USA (Ret.)

Lt. General William E. Ingram, Jr. (Ret.) recently served as the Director of the U.S. Army National Guard, holding the post from 2011 until his retirement in 2014. As Director, he guided the formulation, development, and implementation of all programs and policy affecting the Army National Guard, which includes more than 350,000 Citizen Soldiers in all 50 states. A 44-year veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, Lt. General Ingram was appointed Adjutant General of North Carolina, where he served as commander of the North Carolina National Guard. He has been a strong voice in support of North Carolina’s role in U.S. global engagement. He is also a member of USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council.

Bill Lane

Bill Lane has been with Caterpillar since 1975 and has served as the company’s Washington Director for International Government Affairs for nearly a decade. Mr. Lane is a leading business advocate for free trade and global engagement in Washington D.C. and serves as co-chair of the U.S. Latin America Trade Coalition and Co-President of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign. In 2005, Speaker Hastert appointed Mr. Lane to the HELP Commission, a presidential committee examining the effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid.

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