On The Porch

This Week:

Rich Hite is the author of In the Shadow of Salem: The Andover Witch Hunt of 1692, which focuses on the involvement of the town of Andover in the witch hunt of 1692 that is primarily associated with the town of Salem. Professionally, he works as State Records Coordinator for the Rhode Island State Archives and is also a part time tour guide for Salem Historical Tours in Salem and North Andover, Massachusetts. He lives in Providence Rhode Island.

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This Week:

A Chapel Hill native, Mike Munson brings over a decade of legal expertise to the Munson Law Firm PLLC where he helps clients protect what matters most—family. Specializing in estate planning, probate, and business law, Mike approaches each case with foresight and a focus on practical solutions. A UVA alum and William & Mary Law graduate, he’s deeply committed to his community, serving on local boards and supporting causes like RMH, Meals on Wheels and the Chapel Hill and Chatham Chambers. At home, Mike cherishes time with his wife, two children, and dogs, all while holding steadfast in his loyalty to the Tar Heels and Washington Nationals.  

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This Week:

Claire Coffey, the CEO of Intrepid Build, embodies resilience and determination. After her D1 rowing career, Claire coached many champion rowing teams and taught math at boarding school and community college. In 2009, life threatening complications from a cancer diagnosis put her career on hold. After 7 different cancers, she’s back in the workforce in the male-dominated commercial construction industry. As a mother, Claire brings renewed vigor and purpose that someday her young daughter will see women as a critical part of the industry. Her passion reflects her commitment to ethical practices and a people-centered approach, ensuring her company operates with integrity while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Claire’s courage and perseverance demonstrate the power of resilience and advocacy in overcoming challenges, both personal and professional. Claire and her partner, Zachary, have demonstrated they are indeed Intrepid—fearless and undaunted.

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This Week:

Host Randy Voller, welcomes Dustin Miller, a serial entrepreneur and marketer who developed an app for GoPro featured on the James Cordon show, Conan O’Brien and others. Dustin has worked as a product developer for Amazon companies sourcing in China and Vietnam, and has served as a land development marketing consultant for several companies in Chapel Hill and Chatham. He currently is the co-director of 79 West in Chatham Park, a business hub focused on driving growth in Pittsboro and Chatham County. In his spare time he is a musician and is working on a project and book with a team of collectors and players focused on vintage 1930s Martin guitars.

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This Week:

Michael Smith is the president of the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation. During his tenure in Chatham, the March 2022 VinFast EV and the Wolfspeed silicon carbide materials facility announcements both made state history for investment and potential jobs. At his previous leadership position in Sanford-Lee County, Smith had significant success in business recruitment and product development, including 4 of the top 25 announcements in FY 2019-2020. Smith was born in Durham and lived in Atlanta and Dallas before returning home to NC. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Geography with a concentration in Urban/Regional Planning from East Carolina University.

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This Week:

Jean MacDonald, DTM, is the Queen of Connections, Creative Director, and Humorous Speaker of Business Brewing is an expert in communication and building relationships. She’s a Distinguished Toastmaster and a member of the National Speakers Bureau. Jean has published two books. Her latest book came out in the fall of 2024, “Be Wild, Be Crazy, Be You: Open Your Heart and Mind, and Feel the Confidence”. She’s grown from owning a multi-million dollar commercial insurance agency to being a pink Cadillac driving Mary Kay Cosmetics top earner. Jean is a so-so ukulele player, and a novice race car drive with the need for speed. https://businessbrewing.com/store

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This Week: 

Jason Amy is an award-winning high school teacher, coach, and athletic director in Chatham County schools in Pittsboro, NC. Mr. Amy received Northwood Teacher of the Year in 2020 and in 2021 was presented the NCHSAA Dave Harris Athletic Director of the Year. In 2021, after 14 years serving as the Athletic Director at Northwood High School, Mr. Amy took on his biggest challenge by becoming the athletic director for Seaforth High School, Chatham’s newest high school. Seaforth recently earned the Wells Fargo State Cup for the best interscholastic high school in the 2A division after only three years in existence. Jason Amy served 5 honorable years in the United States Marine Corps and received a Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Wilmington in 2003.  Jason Amy has been married to Heather Amy for 28 years. They have a son Carson and daughter Kayla.

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Taylor Hobbs III, a co-founder and principal of Hobbs Architects, is the design lead within the office. Taylor was raised in rural eastern North Carolina where simple agricultural buildings compose the architectural language of the coastal plain landscape. These roots and his service on numerous boards have led to Taylor’s great success working on a variety of local and regional, community-based municipal, institutional, and residential projects.

Grimsley T. Hobbs, Jr. is a co-founder and principal of Hobbs Architects.
Since starting his first architectural practice in 1982, Grimsley has been the lead architect on numerous public and private projects that include public school buildings, county courthouses, county facilities of various types, and professional office buildings. His emphasis has been on well-designed projects that are focused on the details. Complicated renovation and restoration projects are a specialty.

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This Week:
Steevie Jane Parks and Janet Place are working artists and co-chairs of the Chatham Artists Guild which hosts the Chatham Open Studio Tour. Steevie Jane Parks is an abstract painter who retired from a career as a Clinical Psychologist. For the first two weekends in December, Steevie will share Studio #9 with sculptor Louise Hobbs and offer for sale 30 new mixed media fabric collages. Steevie’s newest large format paintings are also on exhibit at 79 Degrees West in Chatham Park, and at the Art Above Main Gallery on South Main Street in Burlington.  www.steeviejaneparks.com/Current-Paintings/

Janet Place is a glass artist, singer/songwriter, and public health professional. Her personal journey into fused (or warm) glass began during the pandemic. What started as a hobby soon became an obsession. After relocating to SC for a job, she returned to Chatham in 2022 to be part of the vibrant art and music scene, and because she and her husband love the area. Her glass influences are Murano glass from Italy and retro/ MCM style from her upbringing. You can see her work and learn more at www.janetplaceglassdesigns.com

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