On The Porch

This Week:     

Dr. Michael Turner is a global thought leader on credit reporting and credit scoring. He founded the Durham-based non-profit think tank PERC. PERC has worked in more than 25 countries, and has changed national law in more than 12 including the US. Dr. Turner is an Ashoka Foundation fellow, a consultant to the World Bank, and a serial social entrepreneur. In 2020, he launched Verify4—also in Durham—to make verifications available to everyone.

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Randy was joined by Lesley Landis and her father, Dr. Frank H. Russell in February of 2023. They discussed his experiences during a long career as a trauma surgeon. Following his passing, we’re airing this episode in memoriam.

For Part 1 of Randy and Dr. Russell’s conversation, click here.

For Part 2 of Randy and Dr. Russell’s conversation and to read his full obituary, click here. 

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Renée Price is the North Carolina State Representative for District 50.

Renée’s successful career has been guided by her interests in urban and rural life, as well as resource preservation and conservation. She’s an active community member and advocate, and also a political leader—both locally and state-wide. Renée has received recognition and numerous awards from the community reflecting the principles she was raised with that value a healthy environment, a robust education, the arts, equality, civil rights, and justice for all.

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This week, Melissa Driver Beard, Executive Director of Chatham Outreach Alliance (“CORA”), oversees all plans and programs within the Pantry.  Melissa has worked in the nonprofit sector for 29 years and has served in an executive capacity for the past 22 years. She has worked at the local, state, national, and international levels, championing basic human needs and rights issues. She has worked indirectly and directly in food insecurity since 2009.

Rebecca Hankins, Director of Development and Communications of Chatham Outreach Alliance (“CORA”), is a dedicated change agent. She has spent over 20 years honing her skills as a fundraiser, communication specialist, project manager, and invaluable Jane of all trades. Rebecca is dedicated to ensuring program and partnership sustainability and embraces creativity, collaboration, community, and technology.

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Matt Hughes, Commissioner for the Town of Hillsborough, joins Randy Voller On The Porch.

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Brenda Hill Pollard is a native of Johnston County.  She is a resident of Durham, NC, since 1985 with her husband, Larry Pollard. Brenda is a public servant. Brenda served as the Executive Assistant to both  NC Secretary of State, Thad Eure and NC Commissioner of Insurance, Jim Long. She has received appointments by Governor Jim Hunt, Governor Mike Easley, Governor Bev Perdue, and Governor Roy Cooper. Her public service includes being a member of the NC Banking Commission, NC Board of Architecture, NC Museum of Natural Sciences Advisory Commission.

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Shelia Huggins Shelia Huggins currently serves on the Durham County Council in the at-large position working for economic opportunity and job creation, affordable housing for Durham’s neighbors. She’s a trained environmental chemist and an attorney at her law firm, Shelia A. Huggins, PLLC. Her professional experience includes work for the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as a senior economic and workforce development administration manager, an assistant director of community engagement, a real estate division manager, and an operations and evaluation administrator for the city of Durham. She has held board seats in several regional and state political organizations.

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This Week:     

Shelia Huggins Shelia Huggins currently serves on the Durham County Council in the at-large position working for economic opportunity and job creation, affordable housing for Durham’s neighbors. She’s a trained environmental chemist and an attorney at her law firm, Shelia A. Huggins, PLLC. Her professional experience includes work for the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as a senior economic and workforce development administration manager, an assistant director of community engagement, a real estate division manager, and an operations and evaluation administrator for the city of Durham. She has held board seats in several regional and state political organizations.

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Representative Robert Reives was first appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives in January 2014 and he has subsequently been re-elected 4 times, most recently in 2020. A Democrat, he represents the 54th district which includes all of Chatham County and parts of Durham County (formerly all of Chatham County and part of Lee County). In December 2020, Reives was elected by his peers as the House Democratic leader.

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