Bio
Governor Pat McCrory first gained national prominence as the seven-term mayor of Charlotte where he helped build a once sleepy southern town into a thriving metropolitan city. Often stepping on toes from both sides of the aisle, he did this by creating and implementing a vision that included mass transit, a new international airport, a new arena, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, new safe and livable public housing communities, aggressive business recruitment and low taxes.
As governor of our nation’s 9th most populous state, Pat’s leadership skills helped accomplish successful tax reform, transportation reform, paying off debt owed to the federal government, teacher pay raises and a bond referendum to support universities, parks and the National Guard. More than 300,000 new private sector jobs were created in North Carolina during his tenure, which is often referred to as the “Carolina Comeback.” Pat’s leadership was again recognized nationally by his strong and compassionate leadership handling some of the worst flooding in the state’s history during Hurricane Matthew.
As mayor and governor, Pat has worked closely with Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump in the areas of homeland security, transportation, environment and healthcare while serving on the executive boards of the National Mayors and Governors Associations. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Pat proudly served for President Bush as a member of the Homeland Security Commission.
Pat also has extensive private sector experience having worked for Duke Energy Company, Moore & Van Allen, and serving on corporate boards including Lending Tree, Kewaunee Scientific and Transportation Impact.
Pat has testified before Congress and continues to be a frequent expert guest on national media broadcasts, including National Public Radio, Meet the Press, ABC World News, PBS News Hour, CBS This Morning, MSNBC News, CNN, CNBC and Fox News, among others.
McCrory is regarded as a pragmatic yet visionary problem solver and leader that has taken difficult stands, as many leaders must, for what he believes is right versus just politically expedient or correct. These stands or decisions, often inter-related, bring Pat to the forefront of both thinking and debate around important U.S. issues such as the economy, societal trends, transportation, infrastructure and healthcare.