The keynote speaker at the Lake Norman Chamber’s annual awards dinner Jan. 16 is U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. The theme of the event is “Connecting, Empowering & Expanding Our Possibilities.”  The chamber also has five new board members: Tim Gause, region director, Duke Energy; Mike Murphy, of ProctorFree; Sharon Simpson, Lake Norman Currents; Laura Temple, of Champion Tire and Wheel; and Tamara Williams, Central Piedmont Community College – Merancas Campus. Mike Russell, director of energy services at Energy United, officially takes over as chairman.  The chamber each year recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals at the event. Tickets are $85. For more information, call 704-892-1922 or visit www.lakenormanchamber.org