21st Leadership Asheville Class Graduates

UNC Asheville's Leadership Programs wrapped up its 21st Leadership Asheville class with a graduation ceremony May 14 for the 44 program participants. More than 750 area residents have completed the program since its inception in 1982.

"Our mission is to inform, prepare, and motivate citizens to help them become more effective decision-makers and leaders in Asheville and Buncombe County," said Mitchell Williams, UNCA's director of Leadership Programs. "Each year in Leadership Asheville, we explore issues affecting the future of our community and topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. The program also includes team service projects that help participants to improve their collaborative problem-solving skills and refine their leadership styles, while making contributions to the community."

Leadership Asheville 21 graduates are: Marcia Bacoate, The Opportunity Corporation; Connie Banegas, The City of Asheville Water Resources Department; Todd Boyette, The Health Adventure; Gardner Bridges, Sand-Hill Venable Elementary School; Bobby Brumley, The 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, The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa; Sarah Teel Leatham, The Grove Park Inn Resort and 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, A-B Technical Community College; Jeff Moss, The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa; Debbie Mowrey, Colburn Gem & Mineral Museum; Neil Newberry, RBC Centura Bank; Ann Raybon, Alzheimer's Association-WNC Chapter; Constance Richards, Freelance Journalist/Author; Cyndi Robbins, News 13 WLOS; Shearon Roberts, Fullerton Genetics Center; Michelle Robinson, HealthPartners; Kay Stafford, Mission St. Joseph's Health System; Dana Stonestreet, Clyde Savings Bank; Bill Styres, UNCA; Mary Anne Tierney, Mountain Microenterprise Fund; Ben Watts, The Opportunity Corporation; Penny Weaver, Enka High School; Glenda Weinert, Little Beaver Day Care Centers; Bill Wescott, William Flynn Wescott, P.E.; Janet Whitworth, The Relizon Company; and Martha Zeigler, Metropolitan Sewage District.

For information about Leadership Asheville, call UNCA's Leadership Programs office at 828/251-6125.

Media Contacts:

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