A nine-member board of directors provides oversight of Blue Ridge National Heritage Area programs and initiatives. Members are appointed by five agencies named in the organization’s authorizing legislation.
Additionally, we have an advisory board comprised of a diverse group of people dedicated to our mission.
Board of Directors
Appointed by AdvantageWest Economic Development Group:
- Dr. Connie M. Haire, Community Leader
Appointed by the Governor of North Carolina:
- Cathy Robbins, Tweetsie Railroad
- Grayson Barnette, Community Leader
- Jesse Pope (President & CEO), Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation — Board President
Appointed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians:
- Bobby Raines, Cherokee Preservation Foundation
- Driver Blythe, EBCI Office of the Principal Chief
Appointed by HandMade in America:
- Becky Anderson, Community Leader — Board Treasurer
Appointed by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Board, representing arts and culture:
- Barbara Halsey, Community Leader — Past Board Chair
Advisory Board
- Barbara Halsey — Board Chair
- Becky Anderson
- Connie Haire
- Daryl Crouse
- Dorian Palmer
- Grayson Barnett
- Heather Hogan
- Helen Ruth Almond
- Walter Clark
