True North in Action: Karen Montgomery Takes an Active Role in Hickory’s Future

At True North Realty, we’re proud of the people behind our brokerage—not just for the clients they serve, but for the ways they stay involved, keep learning, and contribute beyond their day-to-day work. True North in Action recognizes those community roles, service efforts, and meaningful growth opportunities without overstating what they mean.

Karen Montgomery’s recent appointment by Hickory City Council to the University City Commission offers a clear example. She will serve as an at-large representative, joining a group whose purpose is to strengthen the relationship between Hickory and its higher-education community. Karen is also participating in Leadership Catawba’s Class of 2027, continuing a season of listening, learning, and becoming more familiar with the issues shaping Catawba County.

A role centered on connection

The University City Commission exists to help Hickory and its higher-education institutions work more closely together. Its stated mission includes helping students connect with the wider community through social engagement, volunteer service, and career development. That work matters because a healthy community is built through relationships: between residents and local institutions, students and employers, and people who are new to the area and those who already call it home.

Karen’s appointment places her in a position to listen, learn, and contribute to those conversations as an at-large representative. It is important to describe the role accurately. She was appointed by Hickory City Council to a local commission; she is not a member of the City Council. The appointment creates an opportunity to serve, but it would be premature to claim specific projects or outcomes before that work occurs.

For residents, the commission’s purpose speaks to a practical question: how can a city make the most of the people, knowledge, and energy already present in its colleges and universities? Strong connections can help students understand the community around them while helping local organizations create pathways for engagement and career development.

Learning more about Catawba County

Karen is also part of Leadership Catawba’s Class of 2027. The Chamber of Catawba County’s current program runs from August 2026 through March 2027 and is designed to help participants better understand local issues, institutions, and opportunities. The program includes exposure to different parts of the community and participant-led Community Visioning Impact projects.

That kind of learning is valuable because good local guidance begins with curiosity. Real estate professionals regularly meet people making major decisions about where to live, work, raise a family, or begin a new chapter. No single program supplies every answer, but taking time to understand the systems and people that shape a place can lead to more thoughtful conversations.

Karen’s specific Leadership Catawba project and any completed outcomes have not yet been confirmed. For now, the meaningful fact is her participation and the commitment of time that comes with it. The story is not about claiming expertise before the work is done. It is about showing up ready to learn.

Why community involvement matters

Buying or selling a home is never only about a building. People also care about the character of a community, the resources available to them, and the relationships that help a place thrive. Local involvement gives real estate professionals another way to understand those concerns—not as a sales message, but as neighbors and community members.

Karen’s commission appointment and Leadership Catawba participation reflect two complementary forms of involvement. One creates a formal opportunity to support connections between the city and higher education. The other creates space to learn more broadly about Catawba County’s challenges and possibilities. Both begin with listening.

True North Realty is glad to recognize that willingness to take part. We believe clients deserve guidance from people who remain engaged with the communities they serve and who are honest about what they know, what they are learning, and where they can help.

A new chapter in service and learning

We congratulate Karen Montgomery on her appointment to the University City Commission and her place in Leadership Catawba’s Class of 2027. We are proud to have her at True North Realty, and we look forward to seeing how this next chapter deepens her connection to Hickory and the wider Catawba County community.