NORTH CAROLINA (WLOS) — Governor-elect Josh Stein announced the launch of his Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
This committee was created to help address the Western North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“Rebuilding Western North Carolina will be a top priority for my administration,” said Governor-elect Josh Stein via a release. “I am grateful that this group of experts will give their time to make sure I know what’s needed to rebuild and recover the right way.”
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It is comprised of local and state leaders who will help advise Stein's work in continuing to aid these areas.
Members of the Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee include:
- Mayor Esther Manheimer - Co-Chair
She is the mayor of Asheville, which she has served as since 2013. She was formerly on the Asheville City Council from 2009-2013.
- Sen. Kevin Corbin - Co-Chair
He is a Republican member of the North Carolina Senate who has represented the 50th district since 2021.
- Dr. Jim Beeler
He is the executive director of College Access Partnerships at Appalachian State University, which serves 27 Western North Carolina school districts.
- Mayor Preston Blakely
He is the mayor of Fletcher in Henderson County.
- Katie Button
She is a chef, cookbook author and the founder of the Asheville-based restaurant Cúrate.
- Ashley Cook
She is a community activist and organizer in Avery County who focuses her work on promoting Appalachian values and traditions.
- Jack Cecil
He has served as the president of Biltmore Farms, LLC for over three decades. He is also the chair of the Dogwood Health Trust Board.
- Casey Cooper
He is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and serves as the CEO of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.
- John Cooper
He owns Mast General Store and lives in Watauga County.
- Walter Dalton
He served as the state's lieutenant governor from 2009-2013. He previously served as a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1997-2009.
- Sharon Decker
She is the president of Tryon Equestrian Partners and previously served as the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce.
- Brittany Duncan
She is the Watauga Community Health Coordinator at the Western Youth Network.
- Will Hoffman
He has served as the superintendent of Madison County Schools since 2018. He previously served as the superintendent of Tyrrell County Schools from 2015-2017.
- Rep. Jake Johnson
He has served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2019, representing Rutherford, Polk, Henderson and McDowell Counties.
- Larry Leake
He is an attorney with offices in both Asheville and Marshall. He previously served as a North Carolina District Court Judge.
- Dr. Laura Leatherwood
She has served as the president of Blue Ridge Community College since 2017.
- Kevin Leonard
He is the executive director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
- Rep. Chuck McGrady
He formerly served for the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he represented Henderson County. He also is a former president of the Sierra Club.
- Dee Dee Perkins
She is a business owner and community leader in Brevard.
- Van Phillips
He is a business leader in Spruce Pine and has previously served as a board member for the Samuel L. Phillips Family Foundation and Mayland Community College.
- Mayor Zeb Smathers
He is the mayor of Canton in Haywood County and is an attorney in private practice.
- Nathan Ramsey
He is the executive director of Land of Sky Regional Council and the director of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board. He serves Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties.
- Debbie Roundtree
She is a certified nursing assistant/caregiver and the founder of a non-profit organization called Back to School Fest, which supports Henderson and surrounding Counties.
- Commissioner Charlie Wallin
He is a Watauga County Commissioner and the Director of Retail Dining and External Partners at Appalachian State University.
- Commissioner Al Whitesides
He is a Buncombe County Commissioner, as well as a community activist and former banker.