Hugh Hattabaugh, a veteran education administrator selected to lead CMS during the year-long search for a new superintendent, will deliver the keynote address at the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Power Luncheon on Education Thursday, Sept. 15. The session will be held at the Kabuto Japanese Steadkhouse on Northcross Drive in Huntersville from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Hattabaugh, chief operating officer at CMS since 2008, first served the county system in 2007 as the superintendent of the Northeast Learning Community, which includes the Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson areas.

Prior to joining CMS, Hattabaugh was the deputy superintendent of the Little Rock School District in Arkansas. He has won multiple awards for excellence in education leadership and is an assessor in leadership development and assessment for the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Hattabaugh, a Salem, Ind., native, has been a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal ring his nearly 40-year education career, serving communities in Indiana, Florida, Arkansas and North Carolina. A graduate of Ball State University, he holds a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and educational leadership certification from the University of Central Florida.

Hattabaugh was selected this spring to serve as interim superintendent after Peter Gorman announced plans to leave for a corporate position in July.

Hilary Broadway, the Chamber’s vice chairman of business education and advocacy and a local Realtor, says education and the quality of schools is a top priority for families looking to relocate and a fitting topic for the organization’s luncheon.

“Superintendent Hattabaugh,” she says, “will share with local business leaders the state of our school system, plans for area schools and trends in the education field.”

The event is open to the public. The cost is $20 for non-Chamber members and $16 for members. To reserve tickets and to obtain additional information, call the Chamber at, 704-892-1922.