Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself. 
Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
Leadership
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is led by a board of directors, which formulates policies and sets goals for the organization, promoting the mission of enriching the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. The president & CEO is responsible for the management and operations of the Chamber organization and its staff. The board of directors develops the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, and directs a program of work giving the community the greatest opportunity for growth and prosperity.
Kit Cramer
President & CEO
(828) 258-6123
Benjamin Teague
Senior Vice President / Executive Director of the Economic Development Coalition
(828) 258-6128
Rojeanous Rush
Vice President of Finance & Operations
(828) 258-6119
Laura Copeland
Vice President of Public Policy
(828) 258-6126
Stephanie Brown
Senior Vice President, CVB Executive Director
(828) 258-6104
Executive Committee
- Linda Brandt, LB Marketing Services, Chair
- Dana Stonestreet, HomeTrust Bank, First Vice Chair
- Ben Hamrick, Johnson, Price & Sprinkle, Second Vice Chair
- LaVoy Spooner, AT&T, Immediate Past Chairman
- Tracy Buchanan, CarePartners, Secretary
- Suzanne DeFerie, Asheville Savings Bank,Treasurer/Vice Chair Economic Development
- Kit Cramer, President & CEO of the Asheville Chamber
- Michelle Rippon, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, Legal Counsel
- Pat Carver, First Citizens, Chair of the Audit Committee
- Himanshu Karvir, Holiday Inn Biltmore West, Vice Chair for the Convention and Visitors Bureau
- John Miles,integritive, Inc., Vice Chair for Member Services and Communications
- David Phillips,Pike Real Estate Development, Vice Chair for Public Policy
- Carol Rovello, Strategic Workplace Solutions, Vice Chair for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Rounding out the 2012-2013 Chamber Board of Directors are:
- Mark Treffinger, Linamar
- Mike Rangel, Asheville Pizza & Brew
- Lach Zemp, Roberts & Stevens
- Martha Thompson, Progress Energy
- Chris Silliman, First Restoration Services
- Lou Bissette, McGuire, Wood & Bissette
- Darryl Hart, Hart Funeral Service
- Carolyn Coward, Van Winkle Law Firm
- Dr. Hank Dunn, A-B Tech
- Hunter Goosmann, Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas
- Stefan Magura, Blue Ridge Bone & Joint Clinic, P.A.
- Andrew Nagle, A-B Emblem
- Dr. Ron Paulus, Mission Health System
- Robby Russell, Wells Fargo Bank
Ex-Officio voting members:
- K. Ray Bailey, Buncombe County Commissioner, representing the Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition
- Ron Morin, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, representing the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
- Ben VanCamp, Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, representing Young Professionals of Asheville
Ex-Officio Non-Voting Members:
- Terry Bellamy, Mayor, City of Asheville
- David Gantt, Chairman, Buncombe County Commission