Chip Black is the founder and president of Black & Associates, LLC. Chip has over 40 years experience in the estate and financial planning field. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) diplomas and designations from the American College, Bryn Mawr, PA. The National Association of Estate Planning Councils has designated Chip as an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP). This accreditation is awarded to estate planning professionals who meet strict education, experience and ethical requirements.
Chip shares his time and talents with his community and numerous nonprofit organizations. He is a founding board member and past president of the Community Foundation of Burke County, Inc., currently serving on their investment committee and executive committee. He is a charter member and first president of the Rotary Club of Burke-Sunrise. Chip was elected as Ward 3 Councilman for the Town of Valdese in 1997, and served in that position until 2013 when he was appointed Mayor. He was elected to the office of Mayor in 2015, and served Valdese in that capacity until December 2021. Chip was appointed as Valdese's representative to the governing board of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and served as board chair of WPCOG in 2012 and 2013.
In 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper awarded Chip the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, honoring his contributions to the state and his community through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.