919-903-3146

asearing@townofchapelhill.org

@AdamSearing

Term of Service

2021-2025

I’ve lived nearly all my 54 years here in Chapel Hill. I’m a proud graduate of Ephesus Road Elementary, Phillips Middle School and Chapel Hill High School. After getting a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, I came back to my roots and picked up law and public health degrees from UNC here in Chapel Hill. I then started my professional career working to improve health care and coverage for all, with a focus on children and families, in North Carolina and nationally.

As a public interest lawyer, lobbyist and health advocate, I led North Carolina’s premier health coalition as part of the North Carolina Justice Center to wins in the N.C. General Assembly that expanded coverage and improved care for millions of North Carolinians. I also helped start and run the NC’s first major children’s coalition, winning new protections for kids in multiple areas, from dental care to changes for safer cars and highways. I still live in Chapel Hill, but now I work at the national level to improve health care for everyone with the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University.

In our community, I’ve done everything from serve for years on the Carrboro Planning Board to helping start a community environmental coalition. I’ve worked with many others to grow our popular youth mountain bike league and have been coach of the Phillips Middle School Falcons Mountain Bike Team. I’ve written a local column about bikes and hiking and most recently volunteered for months in UNC’s COVID vaccine clinic at the Friday Center. I’ve also served on the board of great local organizations like Piedmont Health Services, spent years working in town bike shops, helped build multiple trails around town, and guided many hikes in our wonderful woods and parks.

I’m married to UNC School of Social Work Professor Mimi Chapman, and we have two boys, one in college and another in high school.

Membership

• Community Design Commission
• Grievance Hearing Board
• Housing Advisory Board
• Human Services Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Grievance Hearing Board, Grievance Hearing Board, Housing Advisory Board

Duties

The primary mission of the Mayor and Council, as the governing body of the Town is to adopt and provide for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to protect health, life or property, or to promote the comfort, convenience, security, good order, better government, or the general welfare of the Town and its citizens.

The Mayor and eight Council Members constitute the governing body of the Town. In accordance with the Town’s Charter, the voters elect a Mayor every two years. Council Members are elected to four-year, staggered terms on an at-large basis. Town Council duties include:

• Amendment of previously adopted policies through changes in the Town Code of Ordinances and the Development Ordinance, and by revision of policies and documents.
• Appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces and committees.
• Appointment of the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
• Establishment of agreements with other governments.