Name: Michael D. Evans
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 6
Title/Company: Retired
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Education: BS in Business Management and MBA from Bradley University, Peoria, IL. Former CPA and CFP®
Name: Yvonne Mims Evans
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 5
Hometown: Born in Hendersonville, NC. I have lived in Charlotte for nearly 45 years.
Education: BA- Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA. JD- Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC.
What program day stands out in your memory and why?
(or) What do you remember most vividly from your Leadership Charlotte experience and why?
Mike: There are two events that continue to stand out from my Leadership Charlotte experience. The first is the session in which we simulated society (SIMSOC). Participants were warned not to get in the “red group”. This was the lowest group in society. They had virtually no resources. Fortunately, I was not assigned to this group!
The second event was the police ride along. There were no major incidents during my ride along, but I did gain insight into some of the challenges faced by our patrol officers. If memory serves me correctly, we had to respond to a call at the Baby Doll lounge on Wilkinson Blvd. I was also surprised to learn that officers patrol solo in Charlotte. Officers patrolled two to a car during my years in Chicago.
Yvonne: The day we played SimSoc. The game involved aspects of day to day living that I had never considered or been exposed to and open my eyes to experiences of other members of society.
Favorite way to spend a weekend in Charlotte:
Mike: One can usually find me at Pine Island Country Club on the weekend. It is my goal to qualify for the senior tour one day. LOL!
Yvonne: Since Covid began, my new favorite way to spend the weekend is with my 2-year-old granddaughter, watching her discover the world.
What are you doing in the community these days?
Mike: I currently serve as Chair of the Charlotte Regional Visitors’ Authority (CRVA). This is an especially challenging time given the decline of tourism due to the pandemic. Fortunately, we built sufficient reserves to weather the storm and we are positioned to market the City aggressively as a tourist and convention destination as conditions improve.
I also continue to advise candidates for political office. I have had the privilege of working with our current Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, the District 3 representative, our District Attorney, two of our District Court Judges and one of our State Representatives.
Topic or area in Charlotte that you would like to learn more about and why:
Yvonne: I live within two blocks of I-277, so the homeless encampment is visible daily. I would like to understand more about what local government is doing to place the people in the encampment into permanent housing.