Professionals united to advance the Charlotte Region.

John Kelly joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as its newest economic research associate after earning his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He developed an interest in applying economic models while studying abroad at the London School of Economics after his sophomore year.

As an economic research associate for the CLT Alliance, John applies his experience in gathering and analyzing data to support economic development throughout the 14-county region.

Robert McCutcheon joined the organization as president and CEO in March 2025. He brings an impressive depth of leadership experience spanning more than 35 years in executive positions across multiple industries, from Fortune 500 corporations to mid- and small-sized enterprises.

McCutcheon previously served as president and CEO of Husqvarna North America in Charlotte, where he transformed the company’s leadership position in residential and commercial outdoor power equipment and drove record profits. Formerly, McCutcheon served as president and managing director for Britax Child Safety in Fort Mill, leading the Americas division.

Maxwell Olle joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as an economic development manager in May 2025. In this role, he engages in multi-national and international business recruitment projects, working to attract foreign direct investment and foster economic growth from global markets to our expansive 14-county, bi-state Charlotte Region.

Serving as an ambassador for the region’s economic footprint, Max engages directly with international executives and site selectors to showcase Charlotte’s competitive advantages while bringing new jobs, capital investment, and corporate operations to the region.

Matt Panik is the chief advocacy officer at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. He works with investors and elected officials to advance the public policy goals of the CLT Alliance.

Matt oversees the advocacy work of the CLT Alliance at the local, state, and federal levels. Matt started the Advocate newsletter, which keeps investors apprised of the CLT Alliance’s advocacy actions in the region and throughout the Carolinas. Additionally, he leads the CLT Alliance Advocacy Committee, comprised of government affairs professionals from the Charlotte Region.

Jessica Ruderman joins the CLT Alliance as a content manager coming off a career in local news.

She spent six years working at two local news stations in Charlotte, where she delegated news coverage, ensured accurate information was published online and on air, and led digital strategy for the newsroom. In 2024, she won an Emmy Award as the lead digital content producer at her station.

Jess moved to the Charlotte area back in 2011. Her personal ties to the city and the time she’s spent telling its stories make her uniquely invested in the future of the Queen City. As a journalist, she’s had the opportunity to spotlight people making a difference among their neighbors, to get resources to those who need them most, and has pushed difficult conversations to the forefront of her community.

Karen Runyon is the vice president of accounting with 36 years of experience working at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and its legacy organization, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of UNC Charlotte, Karen joined the chamber as an accounting associate in 1985.

During her 36 years at the CLT Alliance, Karen has been promoted on various occasions, first to director of accounting, and later to vice president of accounting and personnel, the position she currently holds.