AVL's Laws Of Attraction
How AVL is attracting business and tourists
RSVP VolunteerSponsored by:
Clark Duncan
Clark currently serves as Senior Vice President for Economic Development and Executive Director of the Economic Development Coalition (EDC) for Asheville-Buncombe County at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The EDC is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. He also serves as Board Chairman for CarolinaWest, the 7-County Regional Economic Development Organization.
Clark leads a department of seven including functional areas of industry retention and expansion, workforce development, new employer recruitment, Riverbird Research, and entrepreneurial programs of Venture Asheville.
Since joining the Chamber in 2008, he has led significant corporate recruitment projects including New Belgium Brewing, Linamar, Reich Automotive, and White Labs as well as strategic expansions such as GE Aviation, Avadim Technologies, Kearfott Navigation and Guidance Systems, Nypro, and Moog Music.
Clark has a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University as well as a Diploma in French Civilization from Sorbonne University. He has earned the Master Practitioner Certificate in Advanced Economic Development Leadership from Clemson University.
Meghan Rogers
Meghan Rogers stepped into the role of Executive Director at the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) in March 2023, bringing a passion for supporting local restaurants and a deep understanding of Asheville’s vibrant hospitality scene. She leads the charge in developing educational programs, advocating for restaurant-friendly policies, and creating events and marketing strategies that uplift AIR’s members and partners. Before joining AIR, Meghan served as Executive Director of the Asheville Downtown Association, championing the city’s growth and community engagement. Her background also includes marketing and events leadership at Chimney Rock Park and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, where she honed her skills in storytelling, promotion, and place-making.
Dodie Stephens
Dodie is the Vice President of Marketing at Explore Asheville, leading a team in destination marketing, brand strategy, and data-driven storytelling to showcase Asheville’s unique sense of place. She oversees marketing initiatives, agency partnerships, and budget planning to drive tourism and economic impact. Explore Asheville, the official destination marketing organization for Buncombe County, promotes the region through strategic campaigns that highlight its vibrant culture, outdoor beauty, and culinary scene.