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Check back for regular updates on Art Pope’s presence in the news.

Aug
22
2020

Backtalk: Art Pope Responds to “Arts and Letters”

Categories: In the Headlines
The Indy Week acknowledges their potentially misleading and false claims that were corrected by Art Pope. Posted by The Indy Week: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Last week, writing about the funding relationship between the Raleigh Fine Arts Society and the John William Pope Foundation, Brian Howe wrote that its chairman, Art Pope, “has a long history of supporting policies that harm marginalized communities: bankrolling the 2010 Republican takeover of the N.C. legislature, HB 2, climate-change-denial campaigns, and more.”  Art Pope wrote to contest these claims:  “The Indy Week corrected false statements made about the Pope Foundation in its August 12 print issue but replaced it with equally false statements about me. First, I did not “bankroll” a “2010 Republican takeover of the N.C. legislature.” During the 2010 legislative elections, Democrats outspent Republicans, I was not the largest donor, and the “takeover” consisted of the Republicans winning 59% of the statewide legislative vote in a fair election in districts drawn by Democrats. Second, I had no involvement with, much less bankrolled, the enactment of H.B. 2. After its adoption, I was publicly critical of both the Charlotte ordinance and of H.B. 2. Multiple media outlets reported my proposal—for the ordinance to be rescinded and H.B. 2 to be repealed. This was the solution eventually enacted by Charlotte, the legislature, and Governor Cooper, respectively. Third, regarding bankrolling “climate-change-denial campaigns,” I do support a vigorous policy debate on environmental and related economic issues. It is unfortunate that in today’s toxic political environment, the pejorative term “climate change denier” is given to any person or organization that questions any aspect of the Green New Deal, which alienates potential allies on specific environmental issues. Finally, I believe that the overall policies that I support, based on the principles of individual liberty, with equal justice and rights for all, protected by a constitutional government, will improve the well being of marginalized communities. To be sure, there is much work to be done and promises to be fulfilled, but I believe we can have civil conversations about the best way to help marginalized communities without attacks. Indy should stick to the facts and let its readers decide for themselves their beliefs and opinions.” The INDY concedes that Pope has publicly criticized HB 2 and that the source for our claim that he “bankrolled” it, Facing South, is partisan. As for our other claims: The New York Times has reported that “Mr. Pope has used a family fortune to endow conservative research groups and donate to tax-exempt organizations that unseated Republican moderates as well as Democrats,” while The New Yorker has reported that “Tax records show that Pope has given money to at least twenty-seven groups … including organizations opposing environmental regulations, tax increases, unions, and campaign-spending limits.” If we find we erred on further review, we’ll issue a correction. We acknowledge that “bankrolled” may have been too broad a term. As for HB 2, we stand corrected.   Source: https://indyweek.com/news/Letters-to-the-Editor/backtalk-art-pope-arts-letters/
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Jun
30
2020

Art Pope elected to join UNC Board of Governors

Categories: In the Headlines
The North State Journal, March 31, 2021 In this Aug. 6, 2014, file photo, outgoing State Budget Director Art Pope smiles in Raleigh, N.C., as he talks with the press after Gov. Pat McCrory announced that Pope would be stepping down from his post. The Senate picked on Thursday, June 25, 2020, longtime conservative donor and former lawmaker Pope to the state public higher education system’s Board of Governors. The 32-15 vote electing Pope to the 24-member body tasked with overseeing the 17-campus University of North Carolina system comes as lawmakers neared the end of their legislative session. (Chris Seward/The News & Observer via AP, File) RALEIGH — A former state lawmaker and budget director was selected on Thursday to join the UNC Board of Governors by the N.C. Senate. The 32-15 vote electing Art Pope to the 24-member body tasked with overseeing the 17-campus University of North Carolina system comes as lawmakers neared the end of their legislative session. “He has been a dedicated public servant to North Carolina,” said Sen. Brent Jackson, a Sampson County Republican. “He will be a valuable asset to our UNC Board of Governors.” Pope will serve on the board for one year starting July 1, replacing former Republican state Sen. Bob Rucho, who resigned from the board in recent days. Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) echoed Jackson’s comments. “His experience as state budget director will be very helpful in understanding the UNC budget and leadership on Board of Governors” said Brown during a committee hearing on the nomination. Pope, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, comes to the board having previously worked as former Gov. Pat McCrory’s state budget director. He’s also been a member of the state House and staunch ally of conservative causes. Some Senate Democrats were furious on social media about the choice, saying it would reinforce the impression that the board is partisan. But no Democrat spoke up against the pick during Thursday night’s floor vote. Pope believes he has a track record of working with others that could help him as he joins the board. “I’ve been able to work very positively with Democrats and independents my entire career,” Pope said, pointing to his time in the legislature. “I think I hopefully can smooth things down and reach out to the other side, which is the real Art Pope versus the left-wing blog character (portrayal of me).” The Associated Press contributed to this report. Source: https://nsjonline.com/article/2020/06/art-pope-elected-to-join-unc-board-of-governors/
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Mar
31
2020

Exclusive: North Carolina retailer sticks to brick-and-mortar as coronavirus drives e-commerce demand

Categories: Roses
Triangle Business Journal, Retailing, March 23, 2021 As Walmart and Amazon continue to push out deliveries to those staying put amid the coronavirus outbreak, one Triangle-based big box store owner is holding firm with its brick-and-mortar strategy: Variety Wholesalers, the Henderson-headquartered company behind retailer Roses. Owner Art Pope says the company, which has long resisted implementing an e-commerce strategy, is holding firm to its trajectory – even amid the COVID-19 crisis. “We are responding as well as we can to keep our people healthy and safe, and trying to keep our customers healthy and safe,” he says. Truckloads of merchandise – yes, including toilet paper – are still coming in to restock store shelves. Stores are open, though workers are ensuring shoppers employ social distancing. But products are not being shipped directly to customers. “Again, we are a brick and mortar,” Pope says. “We provide local communities, local neighborhoods with the goods that they need, one-stop family shopping. That’s actually crucial now. You can go to one store for everything you need. … We have never engaged in a large e-commerce strategy. … We can’t compete on e-commerce with a Walmart or an Amazon, and we’re certainly not trying to institute e-commerce overnight.” He calls the “neighborhood” strategy “very strong,” but citing Variety’s status as a private company, he declined to detail its financials. Nor would he say whether business has crept up amid the additional demand seen by many retailers in recent weeks. But Pope, formerly North Carolina’s state budget director under Gov. Pat McCrory, is concerned about his cohorts in retail and restaurants nationwide. “I hope the state and federal government allows them to keep open, serving their customers as long as it can be done so safely, and that legislation being considered doesn’t do more harm than good,” he says. Pope says that, so far, state officials have done a “good job” listening to businessowners, and that he hopes it continues. As for Variety, Pope hopes to keep stores open indefinitely. “Probably the biggest impact are the health and safety concerns,” Pope says, noting that management isn’t coming to the office at the same time, and working remotely “wherever possible.” Like grocery stores, Roses felt a “rush in buying” as the crisis came on, with people emptying shelves – particularly of hand sanitizer. Pope says it’s been a challenge getting products from distribution centers to stores quickly enough to satisfy customer demand. “I hope now that the initial wave of buying has taken place, that customers will see stores are resupplying,” he says, particularly paper products. Hand sanitizer is still in short supply, as much of it is being sent to health care facilities across the state. As of Monday morning, none of his stores had been impacted directly by a positive coronavirus case, Pope says.  Source: https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2020/03/23/exclusive-north-carolina-retailer-sticks-to-brick.html?ana=e_ae_prem&j=90
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Dec
27
2019

The Leadership Baton Is Passed to Longtime Board Member Art Pope

Categories: Philanthropy
IHS President Emily Chamlee-Wright, incoming Chairman Art Pope, and Chairman Emeritus Charles Koch Institute for Human Studies at George Mason University, Fall 2019 IHS President Emily Chamlee-Wright is pleased to announce that James Arthur Pope is the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Humane Studies, succeeding Charles G. Koch. “We are forever indebted to Charles for his longtime leadership of IHS,” says Emily, “knowing that we would not be where we are today without the benefit of his guiding vision and direction. And it is of immense value to staff and supporters alike that we can continue to lean on Charles’ wisdom and experience in the years ahead as Chairman Emeritus.” Charles Koch’s relationship with IHS began in 1964 when IHS President F.A. “Baldy” Harper recruited him to help develop the Institute, which Baldy founded in 1961. Charles agreed to join forces to create an organization that would support talented scholars and students interested in the principles of a free society. The Institute for Humane Studies now transitions into the capable hands of another champion of freedom. A member of the Board of Directors since 1987, Art Pope will assume the role of Chairman. His connections to IHS also run deep, all the way back to his law school days at Duke University. A native of North Carolina, Art is an extraordinary businessman and philanthropic leader. He is Chairman and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, a family-held business that now includes 380 retail discount stores in the Southeast and employs over 7,000 people. Art also serves as Chairman of both the John William Pope Foundation and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. As we join with our supporters and friends in looking ahead to an exciting new chapter for IHS, it is worth recalling Charles Koch’s eloquent commentary on the Institute for Humane Studies: IHS has a special and incredibly important position in the struggle for freedom and opportunity for all—working to ensure that the principles of a free society have a strong voice at America’s colleges and universities. This work is fundamental to everything else that must be done to turn our country around. Read more from IHS here: https://theihs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Newsletter-Fall2019_Final.pdf
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Nov
27
2019

UNC-Chapel Hill trustees present Pope with prestigious Davie Award

UNC-Chapel Hill trustees honor three with prestigious Davie Awards Established by the trustees in 1984, the William Richardson Davie Award recognizes extraordinary service to the University or society. From UNC-Chapel Hill News: University Communications, Thursday, November 21st, 2019  On Nov. 19, Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees presented the board’s highest honor to three individuals who exemplify dedication, commitment and service to the University. The three recipients of the 2019 William Richardson Davie Award are Kel Landis III of Raleigh, James Arthur “Art” Pope of Raleigh and Teresa Holland Williams of Huntersville. Established by the trustees in 1984, the William Richardson Davie Award was named for the Revolutionary War hero who introduced and won passage of a 1789 bill in the General Assembly to charter the University of North Carolina. Named for the man considered the father of UNC-Chapel Hill, the William Richardson Davie Award recognizes extraordinary service to the University or society. Kel Landis III ’79, ’82 (MBA) earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Carolina. He served as a University trustee from 2012 to 2013, as chair of the UNC Board of Visitors and as a member of the UNC Foundation’s Board of Directors. He was an adjunct professor of finance at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, chaired the school’s board of advisors and served as a trustee for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise. A former CEO of RBC Centura Bank, Landis served as senior advisor for business and economic affairs for North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley. Landis’ philanthropic support of the University spans across campus, including Kenan-Flagler Business School, student financial aid and research initiatives in the UNC School of Medicine. His contributions to public higher education in the state extend beyond Carolina: he is a trustee of Elizabeth City State University. He is a board member for the North Carolina Community Foundation, which provides support for community foundations across the state. Landis currently serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Medical Foundation of North Carolina. Landis is a co-founder and active in Plexus Capital, the largest privately-held small business investment company fund complex in the U.S. Plexus makes investments across the country, having invested over $1 billion in small to medium-sized businesses for growth capital. James Arthur “Art” Pope ’78 earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from UNC-Chapel Hill and also holds a law degree from Duke University. He served as special counsel to North Carolina Gov. Jim Martin and as the state budget director. Pope was elected to four terms as a North Carolina state representative. He is chairman of the John William Pope Foundation, which he co-founded with his late father, John. To date, the foundation has given more than $170 million to support public policy, education, arts and humanitarian nonprofit efforts. In 2018, the foundation committed $10 million to UNC-Chapel Hill for the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; the Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program in the College of Arts & Sciences; men’s and women’s track-and-field scholarships; and a research study at UNC Horizons designed to help more women and children break the cycle of addiction and poverty. He currently chairs the board of directors for both the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. He is chairman and owner of Variety Wholesales, Inc., and its Roses Stores. The company employs more than 7,000 people and serves millions of customers in over 360 communities. Teresa Holland Williams ’77 earned her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Carolina and chaired the GAA’s Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for Western Carolina University. Williams also served on the Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Previously, she served on the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History. She was awarded the UNC General Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Her other honors include the Western Carolina University Distinguished Service Award, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Volunteer of the Year Award and the Chapel Hill Service League Lifetime Membership Award. She is a founding member of the GAA’s Light on the Hill Society, which funds scholarships to support academically gifted African American students attending Carolina. Williams currently serves as a Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Board of Visitors member. She promotes public higher education across the state as a member of the Board of Directors for Higher Education Works, a bipartisan organization that advocates for investment in North Carolina’s public universities and community colleges by building support among citizens and engaging leaders. Source: https://uncnews.unc.edu/2019/11/21/unc-chapel-hill-trustees-honor-three-with-prestigious-davie-awards/  
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