This month’s Focus Friday will feature three Town Planners from the Towns of Huntersville, Davidson, and Cornelius. The program will be held Friday, February 21^st from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Lake Norman Chamber 19900 West Catawba Avenue in Cornelius. This is an in-person meeting and is LIMITED to the first 35 Chamber Members who register. It will also be available via Zoom by emailing Russell@lakenormanchamber.org

Featured are the Towns Planning Directors: Brian Richards – Huntersville, Jason Burdette – Davidson, and  Rox Burhans – Cornelius. Pat Jackson, 2025 Chamber Public Policy Chair, will emcee the program.

Focus Friday is a public policy program of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce which examines community and legislative issues from multiple perspectives. While intended for Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce members and community leaders, guests are welcome but MUST RSVP with the Chamber in advance.

The program is presented by Novant Health - Huntersville Medical Center and sponsored by Business Today and WSIC 105.9 FM. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, with approximately 850 business members, represents the Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius, and greater Lake Norman regional business community.

About our Speakers:

Brian Richards – Huntersville Planning Director

Brian Richards is the Town of Huntersville Planning Director with 28 years of experience in the Public and Private sector. He specializes in Community Planning and Geographic Information Systems. Brian is a unitor in the workplace and uses his positive attitude and energy to encourage others to work hard and to help Huntersville grow into one of the most livable communities in North Carolina. He is inspired daily by his family (Kim, Addison, Hayden). In his free time he likes to hike, travel, exercise, golf and cheer on his beloved Florida Gators!

Jason Burdette, AICP – Davidson Planning Director

Jason Burdette, AICP has served as Planning Director for the Town of Davidson since 2014 and has been with the town since 2012. Mr. Burdette received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech, and a BA in International Affairs and Political Science from George Washington University. Before working for Davidson, Burdette held positions in both the public and private sectors in Charlotte and the Washington, DC areas.

Mr. Burdette has been active in the American Planning Association – North Carolina Chapter serving on the executive board. He’s shared Davidson’s experiences as a presenter at state and national planning conferences. Recent Davidson planning initiatives include the Davidson Mobility Plan, the Davidson Comprehensive Plan update, and adopting the Town’s first Historic Preservation Plan.

Mr. Burdette has lived in the Lake Norman area for 18 years with his wife and two daughters. When he’s not working, he enjoys all things sports and travel related.

Rox Burhans – Cornelius Planning Director

Rox Burhans has 25 years of experience as a local government planner. He has served as the Town of Cornelius Planning Director for 2-years and previously worked for 4 other communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington State. Mr. Burhans holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Tennessee and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Florida State University. 

Mr. Burhans is married, has a middle-school aged daughter, and has a boat that he is constantly working on.