North Carolina is at a crossroads. Regarded for decades as the Good Roads State, now more than ever we need to invest in transportation to ensure safety, quality of life, mobility and economic opportunities are fostered. But growth, inflation and natural disasters like Hurricane Helene are complicating matters. Our state needs to both increase AND modernize our sources of transportation revenue.
NC Go Annual Dinner
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- NC State University Club (4200 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27606)
- 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Reception with beer, wine and hors d'ouvres followed by dinner and speakers)
- Speakers from ARTBA and the NC General Assembly (read full bios below)
Online registration has closed. Email us about remaining seats
Speakers/Legislative Panelists
Speakers
Lauren Schapker
Vice President, Legislative Affairs
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
Lauren Schapker joined the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) in July 2019 as vice president of legislative affairs. She is one of ARTBA’s primary advocates on Capitol Hill and works with legislators and their staffs to advance transportation construction industry priorities.
Prior to joining ARTBA, Lauren worked at the Portland Cement Association (PCA) beginning in 2009. She led the organization’s transportation portfolio through the MAP-21 surface transportation law. She oversaw PCA’s grassroots and political efforts, both of which grew significantly under her leadership.
Schapker left PCA in 2014 to open the Washington, D.C., office of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). For nearly five years, she directed both legislative and regulatory portfolios on a range of infrastructure matters, increasing NGWA’s profile with key stakeholders and national media. She helped establish the nation’s first groundwater monitoring network, restore tax credits for renewable energy technologies and improve the regulatory climate for rural infrastructure projects.
She began her career at the public affairs and government relations firm Xenophon Strategies, where she focused on transportation and infrastructure issues. She represented cities, counties and school districts seeking federal assistance for infrastructure projects. She also led Xenophon’s political fundraising.
A native of Cincinnati, Schapker has a B.S. in finance and an M.A. in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She and her husband reside in Alexandria, Va. with their two children.
Sen. Michael Lazzara
(Republican - District 6/Onslow County)
- Chair, Senate Transportation Committee
- Chair, Senate Transportation Appropriations Sub-Committee
Rep. Phil Shepard
Republican - District15/Onslow County
- Chair, House Transportation Committee
- Chair, House Transportation Appropriations Sub-Committee & Vice-Chair House Appropriations Committee
