MOUNT OLIVE, NC – H. D. Grady, a 2013 graduate of Mount Olive College and owner of Mount Olive Motor Company, has been named Chair of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, assuming a leadership role dedicated to supporting local businesses, strengthening economic development, and fostering deeper collaboration throughout the community.
For Grady, the appointment represents both a professional milestone and a personal commitment to the town he has proudly called home since arriving as a college student more than a decade ago. Alongside his wife, Meagan Grady, a 2014 University of Mount Olive graduate, Grady’s roots in Mount Olive and its university community continue to shape both his career and his vision for the region’s future.
“I feel truly honored to be serving our community through my role at the Chamber,” Grady said. “We have a unique window of opportunity right now to continue moving things forward in the right direction here, and I am very enthusiastic about the progress I know we can make together this year.”
Grady’s leadership philosophy was formed during his years at Mount Olive College, where influential mentors helped shape his perspective on service, responsibility, and community engagement. He recalls a formative experience during a scholarship luncheon with George Kornegay, whose generosity and commitment to supporting students left a lasting impression. “It taught me that the more you are blessed with, the more you are responsible to help others in your community,” Grady said.
He also credits Dr. Sandy Maddox, former Director of the Agribusiness Center, for teaching him to approach obstacles as opportunities, a mindset that continues to guide his leadership today. “Leadership is an art, not a science,” Grady said. “The experiences I had at Mount Olive College, now the University of Mount Olive, helped me develop the leadership style I employ every day.”
As Chamber Chair, Grady’s priorities center on expanding Chamber membership, increasing engagement with area businesses, and enhancing the organization’s role as an advocate for economic growth. Among his key initiatives is the launch of the Mount Olive Area Business Buzz, a series of morning meetings designed to connect business leaders with strategies for growth and development. “My biggest priority going into this term is to reach as many businesses in the Mount Olive area as we can and to show them the value of membership in the Chamber,” Grady said.
Grady also emphasizes the importance of workforce development and educational partnerships, recognizing the interconnected relationship between the Chamber, the University of Mount Olive, and the broader community. “Mount Olive would not be the town that it is today without UMO, just as UMO would certainly not be the same institution it is if it was located anywhere else,” Grady said. “There is definitely a symbiotic relationship between the University and the Town.”
His vision includes creating stronger bridges between local businesses and the University, helping prepare future professionals while supporting the region’s economic vitality. “It is my goal to use the Chamber as a means of helping bring businesses and the University together,” Grady said. “We all want the best for Mount Olive, and by working together we are much more likely to achieve a lasting impact.”
Grady follows a distinguished line of Chamber leaders and acknowledges the responsibility that comes with continuing that tradition. Having served on the Chamber’s board since 2024, he brings both experience and a clear understanding of the work required to move the organization forward. “It does my heart good to be able to give back to Mount Olive,” Grady said. “This community has been an amazing place to live and work for me and my family, and I want to do anything I can to help Mount Olive be all that it can be.”
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