Leadership Asheville 21 Convenes

UNCA’s Leadership Asheville Program held its opening retreat September 19-20 for the 45 new members of the Leadership Asheville 21 class. The retreat kicked off the nine-month program of study, discussion and service. The participants will explore a variety of topics, ranging from economic development and governance to education and natural resources in Buncombe County.

Founded in 1982 as one of the leadership programs at UNC Asheville, Leadership Asheville helps members develop leadership skills such as consensus-building and collaborative problem solving. Participants also work on service projects related to the Asheville-Buncombe Vision Statement.

"For the past 20 years, Leadership Asheville has worked with over 700 men and women who live, work and volunteer in Buncombe County," said Mitchell Williams, UNCA Leadership Programs director. "The programs have given them a better understanding of the history and potential of Asheville and Buncombe County and have helped them to define their personal role in the community's leadership."

Leadership Asheville 21 participants are: Marcia Bacoate, The Opportunity Corporation; Connie Banegas, City of Asheville; Todd Boyette, The Health Adventure; Gardner Bridges, Sand Hill-Venable Elementary School; Bobby Brumley, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa; David Clegg, Beverly-Hanks & Associates; Charlie Cole, CJH Hotel Group of Asheville; Nancy Ackermann Cole, Synapse Consulting; Allen Credle, Valley Springs Middle School; Al Davis, Bank of America; Becky Davis, Carolina Day School; Cassie Dillon, Precision Business Technologies Inc.; Ann Dolan, community volunteer; Christine Dozier, Clyde Savings Bank; Rhonda Haggard, PSA Pharmacy; Perry Hendrix, RBC Centura Bank; Maurie Hill, Laurey's Catering Inc.; Heather Johnson, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services; Annie Jonas, 3D Life Adventures; Kirsten Kern, Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital; Deborah Ladd, Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Sarah Leatham, Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Tammy McIntosh, Biltmore Farms Inc.; Frank Melvin, Asheville Head Neck and Ear Surgeons, P.A.; Brenda Mills, Asheville-Buncombe Office of Minority Affairs; Sharon Morrissey, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; Jeff Moss, Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Debbie Mowrey, Colburn Gem & Mineral Museum; Neil Newberry, RBC Centura Bank; Anne Raybon, Alzheimer's Association; Constance Richards, journalist/author; Cyndi Robbins, WLOS-TV; Shearon Roberts, Fullerton Genetics Center; Michelle Robinson, Save The Children; Kay Stafford, Mission St. Joseph's Health System; Dana Stonestreet, Clyde Savings Bank; Bill Styres, UNCA; Mary Anne Tierney, HealthPartners Inc.; Ben Watts, The Opportunity Corporation; Penny Weaver, Enka High School; Glenda Weinert, Little Beaver Day Care Centers; Bill Wescott, William Flynn Wescott, P.E.; Richard Whitney, Carolina West Commercial Real Estate; Janet Whitworth, The Relizon Company; and Martha Zeigler, Metropolitan Sewage District.

For further information on Leadership Asheville, Leadership Haywood, or the leadership programs at UNCA, contact Mitchell Williams at 828/251-6125.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Mitchell Williams, UNCA Leadership Program Director, 828/251-6125
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526