Formal Objection to TREBIC’s Exclusive Political Luncheon During Election Season

Following the close of Guilford County’s 2025 election registration, TREBIC (the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition) has invited select political leaders, including incumbent officials and the NC Secretary of Transportation, to an exclusive, invitation-only luncheon at the Grandover Resort on August 15, 2025.

Notably, challengers and at least one sitting councilmember, Zack Matheny, appear to have been excluded.

TREBIC’s website says “President, Vice President & Governor TREBIC Level Members as well as Greensboro Chamber Board of Directors and Government Affairs committee will join the Elected Officials from Greensboro, High Point, Guilford County and Guilford, Alamance, Randolph and Rockingham County Delegations for an intimate luncheon at Grandover Resort…”

This event raises serious ethical and legal concerns:

Multiple oversight bodies may have jurisdiction to investigate this matter; The NC State Ethics Commission oversees gifts to public officials and lobbying violations. The State Board of Elections enforces rules around campaign finance and in-kind contributions.

Under North Carolina law (NCGS § 133-32), it is unlawful for contractors, which includes more than a few TREBIC funders, to give gifts or favors to public officials involved in awarding or administering public contracts. It was also illegal for any official to accept such gifts, as the actions may constitute quid pro quo arrangements or outright bribery under state and federal law.

Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis and former City Attorney Chuck Watts at TREBIC’s 25th annual Pig Poultry & Politics on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Starmount Forest Country Club Pool Patio;

Government officials and entities doing business with local governments must understand that North Carolina's ethics laws exist to prevent even the appearance of impropriety. These documented invitations cross that line and warrant immediate investigation and corrective action.

Marikay AbuZuaiter with two Koury executives;

Potential Violation of NC Open Meetings Law (NCGS § 143-318.9);

If a quorum of elected officials attends and discusses public business, such as NCDOT projects affecting Greensboro, this private gathering could violate North Carolina’s requirement that government deliberations be open to the public.

The timing during election season exacerbates concerns, as incumbents may gain unfair access to policy insights while unconnected challengers are barred.

Robbie Perkins;

Ethical Conflicts: Contractor Influence & Pay-to-Play;

TREBIC’s major investors include developers and government contractors who actively seek city approvals and public contracts. Their funding of these events create clear conflicts of interest if officials in attendance later vote on matters benefiting these firms.

NC ethics laws (§ 138A-32) prohibit public officials from accepting gifts or favors that could influence their decisions. A high-value luncheon with lobbyists and contractors may cross this line.

Undermining Fair Elections;

By excluding challengers, TREBIC risks tilting the playing field, granting incumbents exclusive access to NCDOT’s Joey Hopkins, who may share non-public transportation plans;

Developers and lobbyists with vested interests in local policies.

Voters deserve a transparent process, not closed-door meetings that privilege certain candidates.

Please release the full attendee list and any materials presented by NCDOT to determine if public business was discussed.

The optics of this event are damning; a room full of developers, contractors, and handpicked politicians carving up Greensboro’s future while locking out the public and their electoral challengers. If this isn’t a textbook example of pay-to-play influence peddling, it’s certainly close enough to warrant immediate investigation.

Transparency isn’t optional, it’s the law.

The challengers should demand accountability, full disclosure of this gathering’s proceedings and assurance that our elections and policymaking won’t be auctioned off to the highest bidder behind closed doors.

Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis at last year’s TREBIC’s Greensboro & Guilford County Staff Appreciation Night 2024;

As a registered lobbyist, Jonathan Hardister is registered with these Principals, some of whom are City of Greensboro Contractors;

#1 Amusements, Inc. • Term: 2025
AACRE, LLC • Term: 2025
BusPatrol America • Term: 2025
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce • Term: 2025
Kick Ass Concepts • Term: 2025
National Utility Contractors Association of the Carolinas • Term: 2025
North Carolina Appraisal Institute • Term: 2025
North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities • Term: 2025
North Carolinians for Texas Hold'em, LLP • Term: 2025
The North Carolina Folk Festival • Term: 2025
Triad Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC) • Term: 2025

Contractors fund TREBIC → TREBIC hires Hardister → Hardister arranges closed-door meetings with officials → Contractors gain preferential treatment.

NC law (§ 120C-303) requires lobbyists to disclose conflicts, yet the public has no way to assess backroom dealings when events are invitation-only.

When a registered lobbyist for city contractors (Hardister) helps orchestrate a donor-funded, candidates-excluded meeting with policymakers, it crosses the line from 'networking' into influence trafficking. North Carolina’s ethics laws exist to prevent exactly this kind of shadow governance.

These types of events can blur the line between legal access and covert influence, especially when hosted by organizations funded by developers and contractors with city business.

Thanks,

George Hartzman