22nd Leadership Asheville Class Graduates

UNC Asheville's Leadership Programs wrapped up its 22nd Leadership Asheville class with a graduation ceremony on May 12 for the 37 program participants. More than 790 area residents have completed the program since its inception in 1982.

"The program is designed to inform, prepare and hopefully inspire citizens to become more effective leaders in Asheville and Buncombe County," said Gerry Goertz, director of UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs.

Each year in Leadership Asheville, participants explore issues affecting the future of their community and topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. The program also includes sessions on leading change, leading in a multi-cultural world and leading teams. One session of each class has community leaders review lessons that they have learned through their experiences on the front lines.

In addition, the program requires the class to separate into groups and complete a team-developed service project. These team projects help participants to improve their collaborative problem-solving skills and refine their leadership styles, while making contributions to the community. This year the projects included:

• Team Building through Education Program: The team formed a partnership consisting of Buncombe County's Owen Middle School, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation and Warren Wilson College to create an eight-week program of confidence and team-building outdoor adventure activities and service project for 6th graders.
  
• Spring into Business Day: The team partnered with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to deliver an event for people interested in starting their own business. The forum gave attendees access to information, service providers and advisors.
  
• Voter Outreach to Multi-cultural Groups: This team created helpful brochures in three languages that will be distributed to increase voter awareness as well as the number of individuals registering to vote.
  
• Destination AVL -- Alternative Spring Break: This team created a program for middle school students who would benefit from a week-long, structured program during their spring break period.
  
• Asheville Sidewalks and Ramps-Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act: This team created an ADA ramp and sidewalk inventory project. The inventory will help the City to identify locations for necessary ramp repairs and installations. The team also designed and fabricated a tool that allows an inspector to quickly determine the grade and width of a ramp, as well as the width of any cracks.
  
• Project UPLIFT -- School Supplies for Every Child: This team designed a project involving the private sector, city and county school systems, principals and faculty. The mission of the partnership is to provide basic school supplies to students.

Leadership Asheville 22 graduates are: Tony Baldwin, A.C. Reynolds High School; David Bennert, InnovaTech Service, Inc./Innova Homes; Charlene Boettcher, The Biltmore Company; Marilyn Carter, Meals on Wheels; Jason Chambers, RBC Centura; Missy Corn, Biltmore Farms, Inc.; Carole Donnelly, Mission Hospitals; Meg Dutnell, UNC Asheville; Joan Farrell, Keller Williams Professionals; Jennifer Fuddy, Buncombe County Schools; Charlene Galvin, Performance Data Corporation; Eric Grant, Enka High School; Jaime Huffman, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Carla Hughson-Schmitt, consultant; Wayne Hyman, Mountain Area Health Education Center; Amy Jackson, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Capi Key, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Bob LeClare, W.P. Hickman Company; Kathleen McNeal, Mission Hospitals; David Mitchell, City of Asheville, Parks & Recreation; Erica Muse, STEAM; Jim Orr, City of Asheville; Rosie Palmisano, UNC Asheville; Mary Anne Paul, community volunteer; Robin Payne, The Volunteer Center; Fred Plimpton, community volunteer; Elizabeth Pou, Human Resources Consulting; Teresa Proffitt, Buncombe County Tax Department; Max Queen, AB Tech; Julie Spalla, Consultant; Bradley Taylor, Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects, P.A.; Bob Wagner, Community Foundation of WNC; Bob Washel, Buncombe County Schools Foundation; Fred West, Progress Energy; Jody Whitehurst, North Carolina Outward Bound School; Junior Woody, City of Asheville; Carolyn Worthington, Mission Hospitals.

For information about Leadership Asheville, call the UNC Asheville Leadership Programs office at 828/251-6125 or email leadership@unca.edu.

Media Contacts:

• Gerry Goertz, UNC Asheville Leadership Programs Director, 828/251-6694
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526