Professionals united to advance the Charlotte Region.

Tracy Dodson joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Economic Development in February 2025. In her role, Dodson oversees economic development, research, marketing, communications, business development, and investor relations for the organization.

A 20-year industry vet, Dodson brings a wealth of experience in economic development and real estate across North and South Carolina. In her prior role as assistant city manager and economic development director for the City of Charlotte, Dodson utilizes proven business insights and strategies to champion economic expansion, workforce development, and upward mobility initiatives.

Laura Foor serves as vice president of external affairs for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. In this role, she leads strategies that advance the organization’s regional engagement goals, research initiatives, and workforce development efforts. She also directs and manages Charlotte Foreign Trade Zone No. 57.

A veteran of economic development in the Charlotte Region, Laura began her career with the Lincoln Economic Development Association before joining the Charlotte Regional Partnership. She remained with the CLT Alliance following the merger of the Partnership and the Charlotte Chamber. With more than 25 years of experience in regional economic development, Laura has played a significant role in shaping the growth and competitiveness of the Charlotte Region.

Jessica Foushee serves as the Database and Website Manager for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, where she oversees the organization’s website and CRM to ensure both platforms are accurate, reliable, and user-friendly. Her work supports a wide range of audiences, including businesses exploring relocation opportunities, out-of-market visitors, and local community partners and investors.

Jessica manages the CLT Alliance database with a focus on data integrity, usability, and actionable reporting. She ensures reports provide leadership with timely insights aligned with the organization’s mission.

Ashton Franklin is a Member Relations Associate for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. In this role, he works with investors and stakeholders across the 14-county, bi-state Charlotte Region, helping organizations maximize the value of their membership while fostering strategic connections that support economic growth and regional prosperity.

Originally from Canton, Michigan, Ashton relocated to Charlotte and quickly immersed himself in the region’s vibrant business and community landscape. Shortly after moving, he co-founded Brews & Bros, a networking initiative designed to bring together young professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders through meaningful conversations and authentic relationship-building experiences.

Grace Futterman joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as an event coordinator with a strong background in sales, client service, and community engagement. Experiences with brands such as Madewell, Urban Outfitters, Nivea, Theo & Spence NYC, and SupperClub South End have prepared her for delivering exceptional events to our investors.

As a Connecticut native, Grace brings a unique perspective to her work, having witnessed the growth and development of different local geographies.

Lauren Harley serves as the government affairs associate on the advocacy team, leveraging her experience in communications, public relations, and local and state government to support the organization’s government affairs initiatives.

Prior to joining the CLT Alliance, Harley gained valuable experience at the South Carolina Office of Resilience. As the executive assistant to the chief resilience officer, she played a pivotal role in organizational operations, supporting communications, human resources, and administrative functions.

Ashley Hayes joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as director of engagement in 2025. In this role, she oversees the planning and execution of investor programs and events that strengthen relationships and foster meaningful connections across the region’s business community.

With more than a decade of experience spanning project management, marketing, and event production, Ashley brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to engagement. She is known for thinking beyond logistics by considering audience experience, brand alignment, and overall impact to ensure initiatives run smoothly and resonate with stakeholders.

Ashley Hedrick began her career as an intern with the Charlotte Chamber, supporting business retention efforts across the region. What started as an internship quickly evolved into a full-time role focused on helping companies grow and thrive in the Charlotte Region.

Today, Ashley serves as vice president of marketing, communications and engagement for the CLT Alliance. In this role, she leads dynamic marketing and events teams dedicated to elevating the Charlotte Region’s brand and creating meaningful engagement opportunities for investors, partners, and stakeholders—both in-market and beyond.