SPECIAL GUEST: Mr. Richard Vinroot, former mayor of Charlotte, NC
TOPIC: "Work as a Region or Lose to Us"
Mr. Vinroot will mince no words as he tells us why the local governments of Hampton Roads need to work together, or we will lose the battle for jobs and investment to competitive regions like his.
His message is clear: Regions that aren't unified compete at a disadvantage with Charlotte which has "bought in" to the regional concept. Relationships are fundamental for doing anything good in the community.
First elected in 1991 as Mayor, Vinroot helped bring about the renaissance of Charlotte by insisting on regional cooperation with the localities around the city, including those in neighboring South Carolina. Mr. Vinroot served eight years on City Council prior to his election as Mayor.
He has said that he was inspired by Andrew Young, a civil rights leader who was once mayor of Atlanta. "He said, 'Don't make the mistake of thinking you are mayor of Charlotte, when what you really are is mayor in a region that will sink or swim together.'"
Richard Vinroot served as Charlotte's Mayor for four years, establishing a Taxpayer Protection Act and limiting growth of the city's budget. He ran and was twice defeated for Governor, always displaying character and class. A longtime Sunday school teacher and Scout leader, he brings his faith to his public life.
Currently, Mr. Vinroot practices with the law offices of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson in Charlotte, NC in the areas of civil litigation including construction, labor, employment discrimination, securities and commercial contract disputes and controversies.
Mr. Vinroot received his undergrad and law degrees from the University of North Carolina, where he was a John Motley Morehead Scholar.
His awards include being named one of The Best Lawyers in America in commercial litigation from Woodward/White, Inc., the Municipal Leader of the Year Award by American City and County magazine, in the area of business litigation by North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine and a Business North Carolina Legal Elite in the employment arena.
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