Pat McCrory

Pat McCrory was raised in Guilford County and attended Catawba College in Rowan County, where he earned degrees in Education and Political Science. Inspired by the desire to make a difference in the city of Charlotte, McCrory threw his hat into the political arena and decided to run for an at-large city council seat, which he won. He served two more terms, holding the position of Mayor Pro Tem in the process.

McCrory was elected Mayor of Charlotte in 1995 and went on to serve a record seven terms. During his tenure, Charlotte experienced significant growth, positioning itself as a major economic hub in transportation, banking, manufacturing, energy, and tourism. As mayor, he pushed for key infrastructure projects including mass transit and the development of an international airport, and he played a role in bringing the NASCAR Hall of Fame to the city. McCrory also focused on reducing the property tax rate and the city’s crime rate.

After his mayoral tenure, McCrory served as Governor of North Carolina from 2013 to 2017. His time as governor was marked by several key initiatives such as tax reform, transportation reform, and paying off federal debt. He advocated for teacher pay raises and supported a bond referendum that benefited universities, parks, and the National Guard. McCrory has worked with multiple U.S. Presidents on issues including homeland security, transportation, and healthcare. He served as the chair of the Republican Mayors Association and received a presidential appointment to the Homeland Security Advisory Committee. Additionally, McCrory has extensive private sector experience, working for Duke Energy and Moore & Van Allen, and he serves on corporate boards including Lending Tree and Kewaunee Scientific Corporation.

McCrory continues to engage in discussions on significant issues as he hosts "The Pat McCrory Show" with WBT's Morning News host Bo Thompson every weekday morning. He has also appeared in interviews on platforms like "Fox and Friends." His extensive experience in dealing with crises such as 9-11, wildfires, hurricanes, and riots during his public service career, along with his ability to interact with politicians at various levels, underscores his insight into effective leadership and crisis management.