Board of Directors 2019

Becky Hawke is the assistant town manager for the Town of Matthews and has served in local government management for the past 12 years. As assistant town manager she works on special projects and oversees the Town’s communications, economic development, finance, human resources, IT, and risk management departments and related programming. Becky has B.A. and M.S. degrees in communication studies, holds a graduate certificate in human resources management, and is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). In addition to her role with the Chamber, Becky serves as a member of the Matthews HELP Center Board of Directors. She is also an active volunteer with two dog rescue organizations.

Kim Gossage is a partner at Garrity & Gossage, LLP, a law firm in Matthews that provides estate planning, probate, and elder law services.  A native of Virginia, Kim holds two Bachelor's degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a law degree from Wake Forest University.  When she's not at work, Kim is usually either kayaking or attending bluegrass festivals.

Jennifer Anthony is a graduate from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration majoring in Finance. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Wingate University. Jennifer joined Novant Health in 2005 and is presently over Operational Finance for Novant Health Matthews Medical Center. Having been raised in the Matthews community and now having a career in Matthews as well, Jennifer naturally enjoys being greatly involved throughout the Matthews area.    

Chris is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College in New York, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration and his Master’s Degree in Health Management. He joined Novant Health in November 1997, and maintains 20 years of experience in the healthcare field.Chris continues to be part of a leadership team and facility that is a top performer in the organization with regards to employee engagement, innovation, and financial vitality.

Ben is the President of Live Events Media Group, one of the premier corporate event production and audio-visual experts in the Eastern United States.

Ben and his wife are both native Charlotteans that moved to Matthews in 2016. Walking around town with their two small children and two large dogs is a favorite activity for them and they love calling Matthews home now.

Vice President of Corporate Sales with Brand RPM-Huck's Sportswear in Charlotte, NC. Over 20 years experience in helping customers promote their businesses with logo'd apparel and promotional products. Born and raised in Knoxville, TN; Educational studies include Industrial Engineering and Marketing. Lived in Charlotte, NC for almost 30 years. Board Member with the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. Married for nearly 25 years with two children presently attending college. Interests include golf, playing the guitar and classic cars.

Dr. Edith Valladares McElroy, born in Caracas, Venezuela, is Dean for the Levine Campus at Central Piedmont Community College. She began teaching as a Spanish Associate for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She was a Spanish Lecturer at UNC Charlotte before starting as a full time instructor at CPCC in 1997, receiving the O’Herron Award for Teaching Excellence in 2000. She was the 2009 CPCC Administrator of the Year. 
 
Dr. McElroy is a former Board Chair of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte and has volunteered for CMS.  She currently serves on the editorial board of the Label Me Latino/a literary journal. She served two terms as a board member of Blumenthal Performing Arts, and she was a member of the Governor's Hispanic/Latino Advisory Board. She received the Latin American Excelente Award for Community Service Person of the Year in 2009. 

Sue Sproat is the Executive Director of COSKids- Child Development Campus, a nonprofit in downtown Matthews with a particular outreach to support single parent families.  Sue grew up in Virginia and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor's degree in Buisness.  She and her family moved to the Matthews area from Atlanta in 1992.  In addition to a career path in retail and the insurance industry, Sue maintained an active volunteer schedule, using her business and coordinator skills in her children's schools, through her church, and in the community.  This volunteer work connected her to COSKids and she became a member of their Board of Directors.  In 2013, she became Executive Director of COSKids in order to lead an extensive program of campus improvements.

I am the Relationship Manager for Mario's Italian Restaurant/John's Place. I love to help people connect. I have been involved with the Matthews community for over 30 years. Matthews is truly a great place to live, work and play. My Wife and I raised our 2 sons here, and now I have involved my Grandchildren with local events here too! I am the Ambassador Chair of the Matthews Chamber and currently sit on the Board of Directors of the Matthews Chamber. I am the current President of the Rotary Club of Matthews. I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Greater Matthews Habitiat for Humanity. I love people and sincerly want to see our local businesses thrive in Matthews.