Fatcow Icon
Sojka to lead 2014 chamber
by Johnny Woodard
Staff Reporter
Nick Sokja
Nick Sokja
slideshow

The Laurinburg/Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce has named local attorney Nick Sojka as its chairman starting in 2014.

Sojka was chosen following a unanimous vote by the chamber’s board of directors last week.

Sojka has served on the chamber board of directors since 2010. He is a partner in the law firm of Williamson, Dean, Williamson & Sojka, LLP.

Sojka said that he was “humbled and honored to be named chair-elect” and offered thanks to “fellow chamber board members for their support.”

Looking to the future and to his 2014 term, Sojka made note of the “many economic challenges” facing the community.

“…the chamber plays a key role in advancing the quality of life for our whole community by supporting and giving a voice to our businesses and industries,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with leaders and citizens from across our community to help build a brighter future for all of us.”

Current chamber chairperson Becca Hughes praised the decision to select Sojka.

“If you know Nick, you know that he’s extremely passionate about this community. He is always trying to make things better and do what is right for citizens and businesses,” Hughes said.

Hughes also made a prediction about Sojka’s tenure, which will begin after following the term of Chairman-elect David McLamb.

“His passionate leadership coupled with the strengths of the new president will ensure that our chamber is doing great things for and in this community,” Hughes said, making reference to the chamber’s new president, who will be introduced later this week.

The chairperson selection process begins with the past six chamber chairpersons gathering to discuss candidates. Those six then choose a candidate to present to the 21-member board. The business group currently has more than 300 members.”

Sojka currently serves as legal counsel to the Scotland County Schools and to three other school systems in the Cape Fear region. He has been named to Who’s Who in American Law and is past chairman of the North Carolina Council of School Attorneys.

A native of Durham, Sojka earned an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, Va. He is married to the former Lucy Purcell and they have two children, Eleanor, who is a sophomore at UNC-CH and a Teaching Fellow and Joe, who is a senior at Scotland High and an Eagle Scout.

Sojka is the chairman of the Tourism Development Authority and past chair of the Laurinburg Downtown Revitalization Corporation. He served as co-chair of the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Local Area Campaign in 2001-2002 and was a Webelos den leader for Cub Scout Pack 420.

Sojka and his family are members of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, where he has served as chair of the board of deacons and as an elder.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Math Teacher of the Year
Elementary Principals, After much deliberation and discussion reviewing the quality nominees rece...
Mar 13, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
GI bride turns 90
On December 27, 2012 Margaret Smith turned 90! Her family and Laurinburg Christian Church family...
Feb 22, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Scotland High School GEAR UP staff members Brittany Jones (left) and Holly Goodwin lead the “Keep Calm and GEAR UP” rally at Scotland High School earlier this month.
Scots rally for GEAR UP
Scotland High School seniors had the opportunity to celebrate their top-dog status on Friday, Feb...
Feb 20, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Grief support offered to men
Hospice of Scotland County will host a grief support group for men on Feb. 26 beginning at 6 p.m...
Feb 20, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
full story

News
Maxton approves Family Dollar permit
A discount store in Maxton will move to a larger location after the Board of Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve a conditional-use permit needed for the construction of a new building. Commissioner Mark McEachin voted against the permit request by First Choice Insurance and Realty, which wan...
May 24, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Police poinpoint wreck cause
The failure of a vehicle driven by Diamon Rainer of Laurinburg to stop at a red light caused a three-car collision downtown on Wednesday afternoon, authorities say. According to a police report, Rainer, 36, was driving east on Church Street and went through a red light at the Main Street inter...
May 24, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Read More News
Sports
Mike Clark, of Laurinburg, stretches to return a ball during his mixed doubles match. Corbin Ensminger | The Laurinburg Exchange.
Tennis tourney a success despite rain
It took a few more days than expected, but the Scotland County tennis center hosted another successful Chris McLean Memorial Tournament. The 13th annual tournament played in honor of Chris McLean,...
May 24, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Five of Scotland's players were named to the All-Conference girl's soccer team. From left to right: Greta Griswold, Morgan Haywood, Ariel Ratcliff, Jessie Kee and Destinee Grove. Erika Doss | The Laurinburg Exchange
Soccer players named to All-Conference team
Five Scotland soccer players were named to the Southeastern Conference All-Conference team this week. Goalkeeper Morgan Haywood was selected along with field players Greta Griswold, Destinee Grove...
May 24, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Read More Sports
Opinion
Letter: Coach thanked
To the editor: As a parent of a player on the boys Scotland High Soccer team, I would like to thank Coach McDavid for being a GREAT coach and friend to all the young men on the team. I feel that you have shown my son as well as all the other players how to become a great soccer player and how ...
May 24, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Case for reform
In the spirit of keeping things simple, the case for reforming North Carolina’s medical-assistance programs can be expressed in four numbers: 12, 15, 17, and 48. These are all national rankings. North Carolina ranks 12th in the nation in state mental health spending per capita. North Carolina ...
May 22, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Read More Opinion
Latest Video
Weather
Sponsored By:

RSS Feeds
All articles feed
News feed
Sports feed
Videos feed
Obituaries feed
Opinion feed
Local Features
Mudd_Harper_engagement0_1368731138.jpg
Mudd- Harper engagement
Mr. and Mrs. Archie Anderson Mudd, Jr. of Laurinburg are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Archie Anderson “Andrew” Mudd, III to Crystal Dawn Harper of Fairmont. The bride is the d...
May 19, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Martial arts school looks to continue winning
Morrison’s Martial Arts Academy is preparing for its upcoming home meet while celebrating awards earned in Myrtle Beach in April. The Karate World Of Mullins Beach Battle Martial Arts Tournament w...
May 16, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Read More Local Features
Poll
Sponsored By:

Exchange poll
May 14, 2013 | 209518 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended lowering the blood-alcohol level for drunk driving from .08, to .05. Do you agree with the proposed change?

View Previous Polls
Special Sections
Living 50 Online
Health Mind and Body