Charlotte Regional Business Alliance names new CEO
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Robert McCutcheon. Photo: Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has hired Robert McCutcheon, a former executive in the outdoor power equipment industry, as its next president and CEO. He will assume his role Monday.
Why it matters: McCutcheon is expected to leverage his decades of leadership to strengthen an organization that drives economic investment and advocates for the business community's priorities, such as Mecklenburg County's proposed transportation sales tax.
Between the lines: CLT Alliance is the forceful voice of business across the Charlotte area, a 14-county region that spans two states.
Driving the news: McCutcheon replaces Janet LaBar, who led the business group since 2019 until announcing her sudden departure last spring. Since May, Andrea Smith has served as interim president and CEO.
- CLT Alliance conducted a search for a permanent leader with Thadd Jones, CEO and founder of Charlotte-based Nexus Search Partners.
Zoom in: 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," according to CLT Alliance's press release.
- For over 35 years, McCutcheon has held executive roles in multiple industries and enterprises of various sizes, including Fortune 500 corporations.
- McCutcheon's resume includes titles such as president and managing director for Britax Child Safety, a car seat manufacturer in Fort Mill, and president of Conagra Brands, a consumer-packaged goods company.
- He's held positions at Walmart and The Gillette Company and has founded his own business.
- A Charlotte resident, McCutcheon earned his MBA from Duke University.
What's next: Smith will stay with CLT Alliance as a strategic advisor through April to assist with McCutcheon's transition.