The program opened with an invocation from Pastor Rod Chaney, followed by founder's remarks from Brad Taylor on why REC exists and the kind of civic forum we're building for the long run.
Brad then introduced our inaugural speaker, John Hood — President of the John William Pope Foundation and one of North Carolina's most prolific voices on economics and public policy — who presented "Creative Construction: Economic Dynamism and the Carolina Comeback." A lively question-and-answer session followed, with the room clearly engaged well past the scheduled time.
In between, there was a buffet lunch and no shortage of networking — new members meeting steering committee leaders, founding donors comparing notes, and more than a few conversations that ran long after the last question was answered.
None of this happens without the people who backed REC before there was anything to show for it. The founding donors who contributed before September 9 funded the venue, insurance, and operating costs that made this launch possible — our thanks to all of you.
A photo gallery from the day is up on our Inaugural Luncheon page, and the full event video will be added there as soon as it's ready.
Next up: Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director of the Concord Coalition, joins us Wednesday, October 21 for "Chart Talk: Solving the Federal Debt Crisis." We hope to see you there.