Governor's Advisory Committee​ on WNC Recovery

Mission Statement

The Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery will, with formal and informal public input from a diverse array of affected people, advise the Governor and GROW NC on strategies to address the needs of communities affected by Hurricane Helene. This may include but not be limited to housing; small businesses; roads, bridges, and other infrastructure; near- and long-term relief funding; cross-sector coordination; accountability and transparency; and other issues related to rebuilding western North Carolina.

Tab/Accordion Items

NameTitleCounty
Todd McNeillExecutive Director, NC Association of Regional Councils of GovernmentAshe
Ashley Cook Avery
Leah Wong AshburnPresident/CEO, Family Owner, Highland BrewingBuncombe
Jack CecilPresident, Biltmore Farms; board chair, Dogwood Health TrustBuncombe​
The Hon. Esther Manheimer (Co-Chair)Mayor of AshevilleBuncombe
The Hon. Lindsey PratherRepresentative, District 115, NC General AssemblyBuncombe
Nathan RamseyExecutive Director, Land of Sky Regional Council; Director, Mountain Area Workforce Development BoardBuncombe
The Hon. Al WhitesidesCommissioner, Buncombe CountyBuncombe
Melissa PattonExecutive Director, Carolina Land and Lakes RC&DCaldwell
The Hon. Zeb SmathersMayor of CantonHaywood
The Hon. Preston BlakelyMayor of Fletcher; Manager, Quality Janitorial GroupHenderson
Dr. Laura LeatherwoodPresident, Blue Ridge Community CollegeHenderson​
The Hon. Chuck McGradyFormer Representative, District 117, NC General AssemblyHenderson
The Hon. Debbie RoundtreeFormer City Council MemberHenderson
The Hon. Tim MoffittSenator, District 48, NC General AssemblyHenderson, Polk, Rutherford
The Hon. Kevin Corbin (Co-Chair)Senator, District 50, NC General AssemblyMacon
Will HoffmanSuperintendent, Madison County SchoolsMadison
Larry LeakeAttorney, Retired District Court JudgeMadison
Silvia Martin del Campo VargasLatinX Education Liaison, McDowell Technical Community CollegeMcDowell
The Hon. Ralph HiseSenator, District 47, NC General AssemblyMitchell
Van PhillipsBusiness leaderMitchell
Sharon Decker Polk
The Hon. Jake JohnsonRepresentative, District 113, NC General AssemblyPolk
The Hon. Walter DaltonFormer Lieutenant Governor of North CarolinaRutherford
Casey CooperChief Executive Officer, Cherokee Indian Hospital AuthoritySwain (+ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Dee Dee PerkinsBusiness owner and community leaderTransylvania
Kevin LeonardExecutive Director, NC Association of County CommissionersWake
Rose Vaughn WilliamsExecutive Director, NC League of MunicipalitiesWake
Dr. Jim BeelerExecutive Director of College Access Partnerships, Appalachian State UniversityWatauga
David JacksonPresident & CEO, Boone Area Chamber of CommerceWatauga
The Hon. Charlie WallinCommissioner, Watauga County; Director of Retail Dining and External Partners, Appalachian State UniversityWatauga
Donny LawsAttorneyYancey
Chris SigmonPlanner, Yancey County; Executive Director, Yancey County Long-Term Recovery GroupYancey

The Committee will meet monthly and at other times at the call of the Co-Chairs or GROW NC. Meetings will generally alternate between virtual and in-person (a virtual option will be provided for those who cannot attend in-person). Committee staff intend to announce meeting dates two months in advance and to select in-person meeting locations that are convenient, accessible, and representative of the geographic diversity of western North Carolina. Meetings will be noticed through the NC Secretary of State’s Office.

Meeting dates may be subject to change. 

Meetings DatesLocationsAdditional Information
July 17, 2026

In-Person or Virtual - Register to Attend by Zoom

Student Services - Building W460, room 135  
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (Watauga Campus)   
460 Community College Dr., Boone, NC 28607 
Meeting Agenda
June 22, 2026Virtual Meeting

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

May 22, 2026

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Tillman Dining Room, The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality  
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College   
30 Tech Drive, Asheville, NC 28801  

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

April 20, 2026

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual Meeting 

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

March 6, 2026

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center (Building #22) 
McDowell Technical Community College   
634 College Dr, Marion, NC 28752

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Feb. 9, 2026

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual 

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Jan. 9, 2026

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

The Foundation Performing Arts Center - Tanner Seminar Room  
Isothermal Community College   
172 Rapid Ct, Forest City NC 28403 

 

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Dec. 15, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Helene Recovery Partnership - Technical Assistance

Nov. 14, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Samuel Phillips Center  
Mayland Community College   
200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777  

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Oct. 13, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Sept. 15, 2025

10:35 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Blue Ridge Community College  
Technology Education and Development Center
Blue Ridge Conference Hall    
49 East Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731  

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Aug. 8, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

July 14, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

University of North Carolina at Asheville  
Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith Student Union    
1 University Heights  
Asheville, NC 28804

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

June 9, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Landslides Mitigation Recommendation

May 12, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Appalachian State University  
Grandview Ballroom 4th Floor North Endzone Facility    
135 Jack Branch Drive  
Boone, NC 28607

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Apr. 14, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Blue Ridge Parkway Closures Map

Disaster Recovery Guide

Government Contracting

NC Small Business Assistance Guide

SBCN Infographic

SBTDC Disaster Relief Services

SBTDC Helene Recovery Summary

WNC Economic Recovery and Rebuilding Services

Mar. 14, 2025

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual

Western Carolina University  
A.K. Hinds University Center, Multipurpose room    
210 A.K. Hinds University Center  
Cullowhee, NC 28723

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Slides

Feb. 10, 2025Virtual

Meeting Agenda

Update from Mark Gibbs

GROW NC Meeting Slides

Shelter Trailer Program Info

WNC Small Business Initiative 2

 

 

Upcoming Advisory Committee Meeting 

July 17, 2026 from 10am-12pm | Meeting Agenda | Register to Attend by Zoom  

In-Person Meeting Location:  
Student Services - Building W460, room 135  
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (Watauga Campus)   
460 Community College Dr., Boone, NC 28607 

 

Long-Term Economic Recovery Subcommittee

Tab/Accordion Items

This work of the advisory committee will begin with the creation of two initial subcommittees – Long-Term Economic Recovery Planning for western North Carolina, and Resilience. The possibility of forming subcommittees on other topics will be explored in the future as we move through the recovery process (for example, housing, behavioral/mental health, and/or infrastructure). Participation by an Advisory Committee member on a subcommittee is optional. Subcommittees will give Advisory Committee members the opportunity to be more substantively involved in planning efforts underway around one or more recovery topics. 

Subcommittees will:

  • Develop expertise among Advisory Committee members;
  • Receive input on relevant recovery topics and workstreams; and
  • Provide proposed recommendations or other deliverables related to items warranting priority (for focus, funding, etc.) to the broader Advisory Committee for approval or adoption. (Note: Subcommittees will not have the authority to make recommendations on behalf of the full Advisory Committee.) 

Each subcommittee will:

  • Include approximately 8-10 representatives from the broader Advisory Committee, GROW NC, state agencies, and other organizations, as appropriate.
  • Appoint co-chairs (co-chairs should be members of the Advisory Committee).
  • Meet virtually.
  • Public notice its meetings on the Secretary of State public calendar.

NameTitleType of OrganizationCounty
David Jackson (co-chair)President and CEO, Boone Area Chamber of CommerceSmall BusinessWatauga
Laura Leatherwood (co-chair)President, Blue Ridge Community CollegeHigher EducationHenderson
Jim BeelerExecutive Director of College Access PartnershipsHigher EducationWatauga​
Preston BlakelyMayor, Town of FletcherLocal GovernmentHenderson
Jack CecilPresident, Biltmore Farms, LLCBusinessBuncombe
Molly HemstreetExecutive Director, The Industrial Commons, Community-Based Economic Development OrganizationNonprofitBurke
Casey CooperChief Executive Officer, Cherokee Indian Hospital AuthorityHealthcareSwain
Cynthia DeytonCareer and Technical Education Director, Yancey County SchoolsK12Yancey
Chuck KaylorChief of Staff, John M. Belk FoundationPhilanthropyMecklenburg
Kevin LeonardExecutive Director, North Carolina Association of County CommissionersMembership AssociationWake
Dee Dee PerkinsBusiness Owner and Community LeaderSmall BusinessTransylvania
Hillary ShermanNC and SC Economic Development Representive, U.S. Economic Development Administration Federal Government / Economic DevelopmentBuncombe
Sharon Decker (staff)Senior Advisor, GROW NCState GovernmentPolk
Desiree Kennedy (staff)Program Officer, GROW NCState GovernmentWake

Meeting Dates and TimesMeeting LinksAdditional Information

July 21, 2026

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Link to Attend 

May 19, 2026

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Link to Attend 

April 8, 2026

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Link to Attend 

Resilience Subcommittee

Tab/Accordion Items

This work of the advisory committee will begin with the creation of two initial subcommittees – Long-Term Economic Recovery Planning for western North Carolina, and Resilience. The possibility of forming subcommittees on other topics will be explored in the future as we move through the recovery process (for example, housing, behavioral/mental health, and/or infrastructure). Participation by an Advisory Committee member on a subcommittee is optional. Subcommittees will give Advisory Committee members the opportunity to be more substantively involved in planning efforts underway around one or more recovery topics. 

Subcommittees will:

  • Develop expertise among Advisory Committee members;
  • Receive input on relevant recovery topics and workstreams; and
  • Provide proposed recommendations or other deliverables related to items warranting priority (for focus, funding, etc.) to the broader Advisory Committee for approval or adoption. (Note: Subcommittees will not have the authority to make recommendations on behalf of the full Advisory Committee.) 

Each subcommittee will:

  • Include approximately 8-10 representatives from the broader Advisory Committee, GROW NC, state agencies, and other organizations, as appropriate.
  • Appoint co-chairs (co-chairs should be members of the Advisory Committee).
  • Meet virtually.
  • Public notice its meetings on the Secretary of State public calendar.

NameTitleType of OrganizationCounty
Melissa Patton (co-chair)Executive Director, Carolina Land & LakesNonprofit OrganizationCaldwell
Mary Roderick (co-chair)Planning Director, Land of Sky Regional CouncilCouncil of GovernmentsBuncombe (lives in Haywood)
Heather CottonPlanning and Development Director, Town of MarionLocal GovernmentMcDowell​
Rob HowardPresident, Howard Building ScienceBuilder/DeveloperCaldwell
Larry LeakeAttorney; Retired District Court JudgeLaw FirmMadison
Mallory MartinConservation Consultant, Southeast Landscape of the FutureNonprofit/AdvocacyAvery
Chuck McGradyFormer State Legislator; Member, NC Board of TransportationState GovernmentHenderson
Van PhillipsBusiness LeaderBusinessMitchell
Chris SigmonPlanner, Yancey CountyLocal GovernmentYancey
Jessica TrotmanDeputy Town Manager, Town of Black MountainLocal GovernmentBuncombe
Shea TubertyQuality Enhancement Plan Director, Appalachian State UniversityHigher EducationWatauga
Veronica Butcher (staff)Budget & Policy Officer, GROW NCState Government 
Marlena Byrne (staff)Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, NC Department of Environmental Quality State Government 
Brittany Duncan (staff)Regional Recovery Coordinator, GROW NCState Government 

Meeting Dates and TimesMeeting DetailsAdditional Information

October 15, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Register to Attend by Zoom 

September 17, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Register to Attend by Zoom 

August 20, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Register to Attend by Zoom 

July 16, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

In-Person or Virtual | Register to Attend by Zoom

High Country Council of Governments  
468 New Market Blvd B, Boone, NC 28607   
Meeting Agenda

June 18, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Virtual MeetingMeeting Agenda

May 21, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Virtual Meeting 

April 16, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Virtual Meeting 

March 19, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Virtual Meeting 

Meeting Notice

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Complete and submit the form below to request email notification of upcoming meetings of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery and/or its subcommittees:

 Public Meeting Notification Request Form