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Leadership Asheville 26
Class of 2008

 

Kenet Adamson

Kenet Adamson
Dean of Arts and Sciences
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Mr. Adamson began his career in education after 16 years in business.  He started teaching at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College as an adjunct in 1997.  He was hired on full-time in 2002 and is now the Dean of Arts and Sciences.  Mr. Adamson is affiliated with the Association of Guided Liberal Studies and is a member of NC Community College Instructional Administrators.
Stan Alleyne

Stan Alleyne
Director of Communications
Buncombe County Schools

Mr. Alleyne is the Director of Communications for Buncombe County Schools and serves as the primary spokesperson for the district.  He facilitates internal and external communication initiatives and also provides counsel and guidance to the superintendent and school board.  Mr. Alleyne is affiliated with the National School Public Relations Association and the NC Public Relations Association.
Jim Anderson

Jim Anderson
Vice President
Biltmore Farms

Mr. Anderson is the Vice President of Home Building for Biltmore Farms.  He brings more than 25 years of experience in home building to his work and the community.

Sarah Benson

Sarah Benson
Patrol Division Commander
Police Department, City of Asheville

Ms. Benson began working with Asheville PD in 1989 as a patrol officer.  She was promoted to sergeant and worked both in the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigations Division.  Currently, she is the Patrol Division Commander.  Ms. Benson is affiliated with the Smoky Mountain Law Enforcement Executive Association and the North Carolina Police Executives Association. 
Brad Blackburn

Brad Blackburn
City Executive
Southern Community Bank & Trust

Mr. Blackburn has been in the banking profession for 22 years.  He started with Southern Community Bank in October of 2006 when the Winston-Salem based bank decided to open a Western Region Headquarters in Asheville. 

David Bonyun

David Bonyun
Marketing and Communication Director
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

Mr. Bonyun is in the marketing and communications field where he creates, gathers, and tells the stories, oversees the brand, maintains the website, works with the media and attends meetings for United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.  Mr. Bonyun is affiliated with the NAAP.

Tanya Bruce

Tanya Bruce
Grants Manager
Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas, Inc.

Ms. Bruce has extensive experience in the areas of nonprofit and education.  Currently, she is the grants manager for the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas, which is consortium of colleges and universities. 

Heidi Campbell-Robinson

Heidi Campbell-Robinson
Pastor
Abernethy United Methodist Church

Ms. Campbell-Robinson is an ordained United Methodist minister.  She is currently the Pastor of Abernethy United Methodist Church in West Asheville where her responsibilities include regular worship leadership and preaching, teaching, overall administration, strategic planning, fundraising, building/facilities management, pastoral care, and staff supervision.  Ms. Campbell-Robinson is affiliated with the Women Executives of Charlotte, the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and is a Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors

Tom Cassidy

Tom Cassidy
Real Estate Associate
Self-Help Ventures Fund

Mr. Cassidy has been with Self-Help Ventures Fund for three years, beginning as a financial analyst.  He is now the project manager for some of their renovations. 
Jon Corbin

Jon Corbin
President
The Buyer’s Agent of Asheville

Mr. Corbin is the Managing Partner of The Buyer’s Agent, overseeing three full time employees and 26 independent contractors (brokers).  He is also involved as a partner in Southeast Mortgage Group, Set Sail Development, and Eclipse Real Estate. 
Carolyn Coward

Carolyn Coward
Attorney-Partner
Van Winkle Law Firm

Ms. Coward is an Attorney with VanWinkle Law Firm.  Her expertise is in healthcare focusing on regulatory, transactional and litigation.  She is affiliated with the American Health Lawyers.

Kevin Cross

Kevin Cross
Executives Facilities Services Manager
The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

Mr. Cross has been in the hospitality industry for 20 years.  He brings his experience to the role of Executive Facilities Services Manager at the Grove Park Inn. 

Melody Dunlop

Melody Dunlop
Vice President, Foundation Administration
Mission Healthcare Foundation

Ms. Dunlop is about to celebrate her 10th anniversary with the Mission Healthcare Foundation.  As the Vice President of Foundation Administration, she is responsible for the effective functioning of the Foundation’s financial and administrative systems and staff to support the Foundation’s strategic goals and ensure proper stewardship of gifts.  Ms. Dunlop is also affiliated with the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy and the National Committee of Planned Giving.

Joy Flora

Joy Flora
President, Merry Maids
Owner, Three Dog Bakery

Ms. Flora is currently the President of Merry Maids, the leading home cleaning company, which is part of Service Master.  She also owns Three Dog Bakery in Asheville with her husband.  Ms. Flora is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Joe Grady

Joe Grady
Broker in Charge, Managing Broker
Century 21 All Seasons

Mr. Grady is currently the Broker in Charge/Managing Broker for Century 21 All Seasons in Biltmore Village.  He is responsible for all associates, training, and retention.  Mr. Grady is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors, North Carolina Association of Realtors, and Asheville Board of Realtors.

Johnnie Grant

Johnnie Grant
Publisher
The Urban News

After a career in healthcare and pharmaceutical sales, Ms. Grant returned to her Asheville home to launch The Urban News.  She is currently the Owner and Publisher of The Urban News

Lisa Grefe

Lisa Grefe
Founder
NC Mountain Realty Group

Ms. Grefe founded NC Mountain Realty Group with her husband to focus on buyers moving to Western North Carolina.  She is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors, Asheville Board of Realtors and Hilton Head Board of Realtors.

Robert Griffin

Robert Griffin
Director of Building Safety
City of Asheville

Mr. Griffin is the Director of Building Safety for the City of Asheville.  This is the Development Services Center where all applications begin, all building code approvals and inspections, and the City’s Housing Code. He is also an adjunct instructor in the Fire Science Program at Asheville-Buncom be Technical Community College and an adjunct at Montreat College in Business Administration.  Mr. Griffin is affiliated with the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Society of Executive Fire Officers just to name a few.

W. LaVone Griffin

W. LaVone Griffin
Cultural Arts Director
Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Asheville

As the Cultural Arts Director, Mr. Griffin works in the areas of development, promotion and presentation of educational and entertaining theatre.  He is affiliated with the National Black Theatre, URTV, and The Carlton Club.

Bo Harris

Bo Harris
Director of Advancement
Christ School 

Mr. Harris is currently the Director of Advancement at Christ School, a private boarding (and day) school for high school boys located in Arden, NC.  He manages fundraising and development, communications - including publication, and community relations, and special events.  He is also affiliated with The National Association of Independent Schools and the Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education.

Honour Hiers

Honour Hiers
Owner/Photographer
Honour Hiers Fine Arts Photography

Ms. Hiers’ photography takes an intuitive approach to documenting people and their lifestyle.  In operation for over five years, she has a clientele base throughout the Southeast.  She is affiliated with PPA, The Light Factory.

Tamara Hubbard

Tamara Hubbard
Producing Director
BellaLuna Theatre

Ms. Hubbard is the Producing Director for BellaLuna Theatre for Children which provides theatre programs that empower children to make positive choices.  She is also the Business Manager for Asheville Community Theatre.  Ms. Hubbard is affiliated with the North Carolina Theatre Conference, South Eastern Theater Conference, and Arts NC.

Jerome Hughes

Jerome Hughes
AVID/English Teacher
Asheville City Schools

Mr. Hughes was awarded the honor of being named the 2006-07 Western North Carolina Teach of the Year.  He teaches English and the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective teacher at Asheville High School.  He is also a pastor and real estate investor. 
Chase Johnson

Chase Johnson
MarketPlace Business Lending
Manager/Assistant Vice President
Asheville Savings Bank

Ms. Johnson began with Asheville Savings Bank in January of 2005.  While there, she has developed a Small Business Banking Program; through a classroom and individual training program, she has provided each of their MarketPlace Managers with the products, knowledge, and underwriting skills required to effectively develop small business banking relationships.  Ms. Johnson is also affiliated with the Asheville Downtown Association, Executive Association of Greater Asheville, and the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County just to name a few. 

Cheryl Johnson

Cheryl Johnson

Ms. Johnson is an Adjunct Professor at Strayer University where she teaches business courses.  She is also a yoga instructor and consultant.  She is affiliated with the Society Human Resources Development, Organizations Development Network, and Society of Organization Learning.

Tim Johnson

Tim Johnson
President/CEO
Leadership 101, LLC

Mr. Johnson is the President and CEO of Leadership 101, which is a Christian based, minority owned Leadership and Organizational Development Company.  They work with all types of businesses and nonprofit organizations.  Mr. Johnson is affiliated with The American Society of Training and Development and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

Barry Kampe

Barry Kampe
Commercial Banker
First Citizens Bank

Mr. Kampe has been a Commercial Banker with First Citizens since March 12, 2007.  He is a Certified Financial Planner and a member of Rotary.

Linda Lamp

Linda Lamp
Executive Director
WNC Communities

Ms. Lamp is currently the Executive Director of WNC Communities, an organization with a rich 58 year history.  She manages all the day-to-day issues of running a small non-profit as well as event planning, website oversight, creating newsletters and brochures, handling all program, grant proposals, etc. 

Kelly Maglaughlin

Kelly Maglaughlin
Program Manager
North Carolina Outward Bound School

Ms. Maglaughlin taught as an adjunct professor at Warren Wilson College in the Outdoor Leader Department last Fall.  Since March she has been combining her education and experience as the Educators Initiative Program Manager.  In her new position she supports four partner schools and 24 teachers in bringing the Outward Bound methodology and experiential education into their classrooms.  Ms. Maglaughlin is also affiliated with the Association for Experiential Education.

Jenny Manner

Jenny Manner
Quality Analyst
Lockheed Martin
President and Chair
Meet the Geeks

Ms. Manner currently works as a quality analyst for a small division of Lockheed Martin that produces workflow management and CRM software solutions to government officials on all levels.  Ms. Manner is also the President and Chairman of Meet the Geeks, which is a Asheville based networking organization focused on developing and supporting the IT sector in WNC.

Sue McAdams

Sue McAdams

Ms. McAdams a retired from the Federal Government.  She worked with them for 27 years. 
Mary Michael

Mary Michael
Executive Director
Reuter Family YMCA

Ms. Michael focuses her time as an Executive Director in building community based collaborations for the Reuter Family YMCA.  She is additionally responsible for branch operations.  Ms. Michael is affiliated with the Association of YMCA Professionals, Public Relations Association of WNC, and Asheville Rotary.

Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller
Senior Vice President
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Miller is responsible for designing an annual program of work for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) that will assist in ultimately increasing Asheville overnight visitation, hotel sales and other key indices which generate the greatest return on investment.  Mr. Miller is affiliated with the Southeast Tourism Society, Travel Industry Association, NC Association of CVBs just to name a few.

Stephanie Monson

Stephanie Monson
Urban Planner
Office of Economic Development, City of Asheville

Ms. Monson is focused on supporting grassroots initiatives and catalyzing collaborations.  She is affiliated with Urban Land Institute and American Planning Association.

Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore
Attorney
Moore Law Office, PLLC

Ms. Moore is an attorney in a small, two lawyer firm.  Her practice primarily focuses on family law, which includes divorce, property, distribution and custody.
Bill Murray

Bill Murray
Director, Outward Bound Professional
North Carolina Outward Bound

Mr. Murray directs organizational team development and leadership development programs for North Carolina Outward Bound, an international, nonprofit, experiential education organization.  He is affiliated with the American Society for Training & Development and the Association for Challenge Course Technology.

Jane Murray

Jane Murray
President
Junior League of Asheville and Carolina Creative Services

Ms. Murray is a one-woman ad agency, working from a home office, while raising a family and serving as President of the Junior League.
Michelle Rabell

Michelle Rabell
Communications Specialist
Mission Health and Hospitals

Ms. Rabell is currently a communications specialist for the Mission Hospitals Community Relations Department.  Her involvement with internal and external communications includes responsibilities as assistant editor of the internal newsletter, multimedia liaison, coordinator with web media, and public relations.  She is also a photographer for marketing and public relations at the Hospital.  Ms. Rabell is affiliated with URTV, serving on the Board of Directors.

Robin Smathers

Robin Smathers
Elementary Music Teacher
Buncombe County Schools

Ms. Smathers received the honor of being named Buncombe County’s 2007 Teacher of the Year.  She teaches general music to grades K-4 at Weaverville Primary and Elementary Schools. 
Amy Smialowicz

Amy Smialowicz
Public Relations Coordinator
CarePartners Health Services

Ms. Smialowicz creates and maintains media relations, secures media placements, advises and assists executive directors on pr/marketing needs, and pitches stories to local and regional media.  She is affiliated with the Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina.

Jackie Stenseth

Jackie Stenseth
Controller
Asheville Citizen-Times

Ms. Stenseth is the controller for at the Asheville Citizen-Times.  She runs a 13 employee business office.  She is also affiliated with INFE.

Jamie Taylor

Jamie Taylor
Client and Candidate Recruiter
Medical Business Resources

Ms. Taylor recruits physicians for the Mission Hospitals System and other healthcare entities in WNC.  Recruitment includes the development of marketing materials and marketing campaigns.  She is affiliated with Blue Ridge Healthcare Forum.

Bill Treasurer

Bill Treasurer
Chief Encouragement Officer
Giant Leap Consulting

Mr. Treasurer is the Chief Encouragement Officer at Giant Leap Consulting.  GLC’s mission is to help people and organizations be more courageous.  GLC helps companies create bold strategies, build courageous leaders, and elevate performance.  He is affiliated with The American Society for Training and Development and The National Speaker Association.
Holly Waltemyer

Holly Waltemyer
Assistant Director and Internship Coordinator
UNC Asheville Career Center

Ms. Waltemyer works with the UNC Asheville Career Center as Assistant Director and Internship Coordinator.  She also serves as our External Relations Consultant and meets with students for Career Counseling.  Ms. Waltemyer is affiliated with the Western North Carolina Human Resources Association, the National Associating of Colleges and Employees, and North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employees.

Kaye Waugh

Kaye Waugh
Director of Human Resources
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Ms. Waugh is responsible for policy administration, recruitment and retention programs, and serves as a confidential consultant for employees and supervisors.  She works closely with senior leadership concerning all aspects of employee relations.  Ms. Waugh is affiliated with Western North Carolina Human Resources Association and the North Carolina College and University Professional Association for HR Society for Human Resource Management.

Oksana Wells

Oksana Wells
Resort Manager
The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

Ms. Wells is the Resort Manager at the Grove Park Inn where she is responsible for the daily operations of the resort.  She has been with the Grove Park Inn since 1997.

Sharon West

Sharon West
Director of Nursing
Buncombe County Health Center

Ms. West has been a RN since 1979 and continues her career in healthcare as the Director of Nursing at Buncombe County Health Center.  She is affiliated with Chi Eta Phi Sorority and Sigma Theta Tan - International Nursing Honors Society.

Lauren Williams

Lauren Williams
Development Director
The Health Adventure

Ms. Williams is the Director of Development for The Health Adventure.  She is responsible for raising the funds for daily operating costs through fundraising events and campaigns.  Ms. Williams is affiliated with the Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina and International Special Events Society.

Heather Wolfe

Heather Wolfe
Vice President of Operations
United Services Credit Union

Ms. Wolfe is the Vice President of Operations at United Services Credit Union.  She oversees all IT operations, accounting and financial processing.  Ms. Wolfe is affiliated with the Credit Union Executive Society.

 

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