SALISBURY — The Rowan Chamber of Commerce has announced the Power In Partnership (PIP) leadership speaker will be Men Tchaas Ari on Thursday, May 16, at 7:30 a.m. at Trinity Oaks, at 728 Klumac Road, Salisbury.

The Leadership Rowan Class No. 31 will graduate at this month’s PIP and the sponsor is Duke Energy.

Ari is the president and CEO of Communities In Schools of Charlotte/Mecklenburg (CIS), an organization dedicated to empowering students to remain in school and succeed in life. Serving more than 6,000 students in 56 CMS schools, he leads the largest CIS affiliate in N.C.

Before joining CIS, he served as the deputy director of adult and economic services at the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. Prior to that role, he was the chief program officer at Crisis Assistance Ministry.

Originally from Bloomfield, Connecticut, Ari has made Charlotte his home for the past 28 years. Ari’s educational background includes an executive master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Government and an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College.

After this event, the PIP season will resume in September.

The Chamber Power Card will once again be offered for those who would like to take advantage of the PIP frequent attender program. Power Card holders receive a discounted price for the series and do not have to make a reservation each month.

If you are not a Power Card holder, individual reservations are welcome; however, the reservation deadline is Tuesday, May 14, by 5 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. The price includes the cost of breakfast and the program. Contact the chamber for information on reservations or sponsorship opportunities at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com