Term of Service Mayor of Chapel Hill: 2017-2019 (2015-2017)
Pam Hemminger was elected Mayor in November 2015 after 30 years of service to the Chapel Hill community. Her previous elected offices include terms as an Orange County Commissioner (2008–2012) and as chair and vice chair of the Chapel Hill–Carrboro City School Board (2004–2008). She has served on other government bodies including the Town’s Parks and Recreation Commission and Greenways Commission and as chair of the Upper Neuse River Basin Authority.
Hemminger’s longtime passions include the environment and social justice, and she recently served on the boards of several area nonprofits, including Orange County Habitat for Humanity, the Triangle Land Conservancy, Rainbow Soccer and Historic Moorefields, and is past chairwoman of the Orange-Chatham Sierra Club.
Professionally, she has worked as a business manager in the computer and real estate industries and today owns a small commercial property firm, Windaco Properties LLC. Her experience in administration, financial accounting and budgeting, and property redevelopment has served her well in her various government and nonprofit positions.
Hemminger received her BA from Vanderbilt University in economics and German. She and her husband, Brad were deeply involved in community youth programs while raising Adam, Brian, Carly, and Duncan, all educated in the Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools and three of them receiving their undergraduate degrees from UNC Chapel Hill.
In her spare time Hemminger is an avid hiker, a competitive tennis player, and cherishes time spent outdoors with her family.
Current Liaison and Committee Assignments
- Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership
- Council Committee on Boards and Commissions
- Council Committee on Economic Sustainability
- Durham/Chapel Hill/Orange Work Group
- Facilities Naming Committee
- Mayor’s Committee on Council Communication
- Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board
- NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition
- Orange County Food Council
- Solid Waste Advisory Group
Duties
The primary mission of the Mayor and Council, as the governing body of the Town, is to adopt and provide for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to protect health, life or property, or to promote the comfort, convenience, security, good order, better government, or the general welfare of the Town and its citizens.
The Mayor and eight Council Members constitute the governing body of the Town. In accordance with the Town’s Charter, the voters elect a Mayor every two years. Council Members are elected to four-year, staggered terms on an at-large basis. Town Council duties include:
- Amendment of previously adopted policies through changes in the Town Code of Ordinances and the Development Ordinance, and by revision of policies and documents.
- Appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces and committees.
- Appointment of the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
- Establishment of agreements with other governments.
The most precious thing we have in this community is you: all of the people in Chapel Hill who make it a great place to live, work, and go to school. Contact the Mayor’s Office to share your views and concerns. Please see the Proclamations page for such requests.