Capital at Play November 2019

Annual Nonprofit Edition

colu m ns

Western North Carolina's Free Spirit of Enterprise

The Wine Column: Thanksgiving Rules of the Road p.90

Thankful

For Our Area

Nonprofits Interviews with 13 directors of 9 local nonprofits discuss how their work is real business.

p.54

Faces of Enterprise

p. 16 - 25, 44 - 53, 74 - 83, 94-99

Faces of Medicine Volume IX - Edition XI complimentary edition

capitalatplay.com

p. 112-122

November 2019

Congratulations to the 2019 Parsec Prize Winners!

Each year we give 1% of our revenue to recipients of the Parsec Prize. Since 2005 we have provided more than $1.3 million to dozens of NC non-profit organizations.

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| November 2019

parsecfinancial.com/parsec-prize

Thank You to Past Prize Recipients for Their Ongoing Great Work in Our Community 2005 - The Health Adventure - Children First: Asheville/Buncombe Education Coalition - RiverLink 2006 - Habitat for Humanity - Eliada Homes - Mountain Biz Works - Handmade in America 2007 - Pisgah Legal Services - The NC Arboretum - The NC Center for Health & Wellness at UNCA - OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling 2008 - Asheville Green Works - YMCA and YWCA - Literacy Council of Buncombe County - Junior Achievement 2009 - Mountain Housing Opportunities - Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC - A-B Tech Foundation - Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 2010 - Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy - Manna Food Bank - Helpmate - Asheville City Schools Foundation

2011 - Asheville Symphony - Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project - The Boys & Girls Club (Buncombe County) - Industries for the Blind 2012 - Assistance League of Charlotte - The Mountain Area Child & Family Center - WNC Alliance - Girls on the Run WNC & Charlotte 2013 - Arts for Life - Asheville Design Center - Care Partners - Western NC Junior Golf Association 2014 - Asheville Parks & Greenways - Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity - Homeward Bound - All Souls Counseling Center - Catawba Riverkeeper - Child Abuse Prevention Services - The Council on Aging 2015 - Pisgah Legal Services - Arc of Buncombe County - Urban Ministry Center (CLT) - The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County - Open Doors of Asheville - Augustine Literacy Project - Go! Green Opportunities

2016 - Eliada Homes - Manna Food Bank - Buncombe County Schools Foundation - Sustain Charlotte - Colburn Earth Science Museum - Sleep Tight Kids - Tryon Historical Museum - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk County - Tryon Downtown Development Association - The Lanier Library 2017 - OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling (4-year commitment) - Buncombe Co. Guardian ad Litem - Our Voice - Western Carolina Rescue Mission - United Way’s Middle School Success Initiative 2018 - Helpmate - The Hope Chest For Women, Inc. - Rotarians Against Hunger - Read to Succeed - The Center for Creative Economy - Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry - Good Fellows - Brookstone Schools - OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling 2019 - OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling - Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity - Food Connection - Working Wheels - Asheville Art Museum - Susan G. Komen Charlotte - Arts Council of Moore County - Conserving Carolina - Senior Services

Deadline for 2020 Parsec Prize applications is December 31, 2019.

Apply now: parsecfinancial.com/parsec-prize

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

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We Couldn’t Do What We Do Without You

136

parsecfinancial.com/parsec-prize | November 2019

One of our core values at Parsec Financial is giving back to the communities in which we serve. Thank you to all of the non-profit organizations that help us put this core value into practice where it’s needed most.

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 137

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I

t’s that time of year again.

No, I’m not talkin’ turkey (or dressing, or bean casserole, or pumpkin pie, or…). Although, in a certain context, I am talking about people with mutual connections and shared interests getting together—not unlike the way we typically gather alongside family members each third Thursday in the month of November.

To be more specific: Each November Capital at Play publishes our annual nonprofits-in-Western North Carolina issue, dedicated to the region’s thriving and ever-growing nonprofit sector. That sector encompasses a huge range of operational objectives and styles, from those that are relatively micro-focused on specific single issues to organizations engaged in more broad-based initiatives that aim to have as large a multi-issue tent as is applicable (and doable), relative to their resources.

In past years we have offered a series of nonprofit-related reports, and then, in 2017, expanded our coverage in order to personalize what might be, to some, a somewhat impersonal topic, by presenting individual profiles of some of the heads and directors of local nonprofits. For 2019 we decided to simply devote all three of our main features to nonprofits—for the other 11 months out of the year we cover the private, for-profit sector exclusively—and I’m pretty proud of the results.

Our “Local Industry” report is about how nonprofits collaborate and partner together to achieve the proverbial “strength in numbers (and strength in shared resources)” effect, while our “Leisure & Libation” feature is a look at volunteerism, from the reasons and motivations behind everyday citizens like you and me getting involved with local nonprofits, to a number of your current options should you be motivated to do exactly that—get involved. And as we did the past couple of years, we have profiles of area nonprofit heads who we admire and who we want to bring to your attention. Going forward, please feel free to let us know of any individuals, organizations, or topics you think would be relevant for consideration in our November 2020 issue.

Incidentally, the 2019 Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofits takes place this year in Winston-Salem on December 4th and 5th. The theme is “Homegrown Innovation,” and in addition to the obvious networking and resource-sharing opportunities for organizations engaged in the nonprofit sector, among the topics and issues that will be discussed at the many workshops and discussions will be: “Race to Lead: Addressing Race Equity in Organizations and the Nonprofit Sector,” “The Power of Cause Selling: How to Solve the Nonprofit Dilemma, Stand Out from the Competition, and Thrive in Any Economy,” and “Thought Leadership for Nonprofits: Marketing to Build Authority and Share Expertise.”

No doubt many of our Western North Carolina friends will be in attendance. You can get full details at: Conference.ncnonprofits.org.

Sincerely,

Fred Mills

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COACHING YOUNG ADULT INDEPENDENCE

Western North Carolina's Free Spirit of Enterprise

publisher

Oby Morgan associate publisher

Jeffrey Green managing editor

contributing writers & photogr aphers

Evan Anderson, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Anthony Harden, John Kerr, Shawndra Russell art director

Fred Mills

Bonnie Roberson

briefs and events editor

newsletter editor

Leslee Kulba

Emily Glaser

copy editors

Dasha O. Morgan, Brenda Murphy

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Capital at Play is Western North Carolina’s business lifestyle magazine. It embodies the idea that capitalism thrives with creativity—that work requires an element of play. Exploring everything from local industry to the great outdoors, Capital at Play is inspiration for the modern entrepreneur.

In every edition we profile those who take the risk, those who share that risk, and those who support them—telling the untold story of how capitalists are driven by their ideas and passions.

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Editorial content is selected and produced because of its interest to our readership. Editorial content is not for sale and cannot be bought. Capital at Play is financially sustained by advertisers who find value in exposure alongside our unique content and to the readers who follow it.

This magazine is printed with soy based ink on recycled paper. Please recycle.

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Capital at Play is a trademark of Capital At Play, Inc. Published by Capital At Play, Inc. PO Box 5552, Asheville NC 28813

Capital at Play is protec ted through Tr ademar k Regis tr ation in the United States. The content found within this publication does not necessar ily ref lec t the views of Capital At Play, Inc. and its companies. Capital At Play, Inc. and its employees are not liable for any adver tising or editor ial content found in Capital at Play. The ar ticles, photogr aphy, and illus tr ations found in Capital at Play may not be reproduced or used in any fashion without express wr it ten consent by Capital At Play, Inc.

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| November 2019

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Capital at Play has partnered with Bclip Productions to bring the pages of each edition to life, just for you. Featured at Capitalatplay.com and our Facebook page, we give you exclusive interviews and insider info on the people, places, and faces of Capital at Play has partnered with Bclip Productions to bring the pages of each edition to life, just for you. Featuring a new enterprise throughout Western North Carolina. Visit us on social media or at our website to see the latest 60 Seconds at Play.

second video every two weeks, we give you exclusive interviews and insider info on the people, places, and faces of enterp throughout Western North Carolina. Visit us on social media or at capitalatplay.com to see the latest 60 Seconds at Play NOVEMBER VIDEO

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At Bclip we do more than tell your story. Our business-first mentality and c creativity set us apart from other video production companies. It’s our mis help our customers sell their products, train their staff, and entertain custo video. We strive to eat, sleep, and think like the wonderful companies we w

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F E AT U R E D vol. ix

ed. xi

54

PROFILES OF THIRTEEN HEADS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA NONPROFITS

SAVANNAH TRANTHAM, KIMBERLY BREWSTER, MICHAEL GREENFIELD, PONKHO BERMEJO, AMY CANTRELL, ADRIENNE SIGMON, LEAH CRAIG FIESER, RENEE BOUGHMAN, KEYNON LAKE, ANN FLYNN, DAVYNE DIAL, DR. HERB JOHNSON, PAUL VEST November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

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C ON T E N T S n o v e m b e r 2 019

VOLUNTEERS HELP tutor students photo courtesy United Way

33

Joining Forces

Western North Carolina Nonprofits Partnering Together

insight

Volunteerism and Nonprofits

colu m n

12 Dance of Life

For a Better Western 101 Fun North Carolina l e i s u r e & l i b at i o n

lo c a l i n d u s t r y

Ashley Lucas of PHD

90 The Wine Column:

Thanksgiving Rules of the Road Written by John Kerr

events

briefs

26 Carolina in the West 84 The Old North State 10

| November 2019

126 Gingerbread, sausage,

p e o p l e at p l ay

124 The Asheville Area

Arts Council’s Ruby Ball

16 Faces of Enterprise

cookies, turkey (of course)… Yum!

112 Faces of Medicine

NOV 4 – DEC 17, 201

NOV –DEC DEC 17,2019 2019 NOV 4– –DEC DEC 17, 2019 NOV 44–4 17, NOV 4 – DEC 17, 2019 NOV 17, 2019 Give the gift of employment by joining Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ 7th

Pay It Forward Hiring Drive as we work to place 100 job seekers from November 4th throu December 17th, 2019. Being out of work during the holidays can be tough and NOV 4 – DEC 17, particularly 2019 like sure as many people as possible earn a paycheck just in for the season Give to themake gift of employment by joining Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ 7thtime th th th

Give thegift gift ofemployment employment byjoining joining Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ GiveGive the the gift of employment by joining Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ 7 777th Give the gift of employment by joining Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ of by Asheville Express Employment Professionals’ th through Pay It Forward Hiring Drive as we work to place 100 job seekers from November 4 th th Give the gift of employment by joining Asheville Expres Pay Forward Hiring Drive aswork wework work toplace place 100job jobseekers seekers from November through PayPay It Forward Hiring Drive as we to place 100100 job seekers fromfrom November 4 through Pay Forward Hiring Drive as we work to place 100 job seekers from November through ItItItForward Hiring Drive as we to November 444ththand through th, 2019.

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MAKE A DIFFE encouragement to them and their families. encouragement to and families. encouragement to them them and their their families.

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CONSIDER Join us in our effort to help put 100 people to work in our community, bringing hope and To learn more HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP POSITIONS TO• TO HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP between November 4 and HERE’S HOW YOU CANCAN HELP File Clerk to them andDecember their families.17. Not HERE’Sencouragement HOW YOU CAN HELP POSITIONS HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE POSITIONS TO HERE’S HOW YOU HELP POSITIONS TO TO POSITIONS MAKE DIFFERENCE 1. Hire an Express employee for for at least oneone week MAKE A DIFFERENCE CONSIDER Forward HiringP MAKE AADIFFERENCE DIFFERENCE MAKE A 1.Hire Hire anExpress Express employee atleast least week 1. Hire an Express employee for at least one week CONSIDER CONSIDER 1.

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For each Express employee hired, we will make a $10 donation to MANNA Food bank.

A single • Administrative Administrative Assistant 2. For each Express employee hired, we will make • General Labor • Assistant 1979 Hendersonville 1979 Hendersonville Rd. 1979 Hendersonville Rd. a $10 donation to MANNA Food bank.

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Asheville, NC 28803 • need.

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unemployed people during the holiday season.

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

11

nsight

STAFF AT PHD Asheville location photos courtesy of PHD

Dance

OF

Life

Dr. Ashley Lucas, founder of PHD Weight Loss, doesn’t view her company’s goal as simply helping clients lose weight—it’s to put them on a path to wellness.

C

onsult the customer testimonials section of the website of Asheville’s PHD Weight Loss and you’ll immediately be greeted by phrases like “a life changer,” “nothing has worked like this,” and “for the first time in my life I am finding my true self.” That’s not surprising, either, for as PHD founder Dr. Ashley Lucas puts it, “We focus on creating a metabolic shift in the body… to help you navigate what to [eat] while staying true to your body’s needs.”

Indeed, Lucas is well-positioned to understand those needs.

For 25 years she was a professional classical ballet dancer and crucially aware of her career’s nutrition and fitness demands. Following that, she obtained her PhD in sports nutrition and chronic disease from Virginia Tech and moved to Ohio (where husband Doug had entered an orthopedic surgery residency) to begin teaching at Ohio State University, additionally becoming a licensed/registered dietitian as her interest in obesity-related nutrition issue grew (Doug had struggled with chronic weight gain as a youth). This, in turn, led to her designing her PHD Weight Loss Approach, which takes a scientific approach to obesity, addressing metabolic, behavioral, and psychological issues rather than indulging in fad-dieting, obsessive exercise, or medications.

12

| November 2019

According to Lucas, PHD has two primary goals: increasing energy and reducing inflammation. They do so by concentrating on collapsing the “visceral fat,” the deep belly fat that secretes hormones that promote hunger, cravings, and inflammation.

This in turn makes it possible for the individual to begin incorporating more of the foods she/he loves—and rather than steering into fad diet territory, the focus is upon crafting a nutrition regimen that can ultimately lead to a beneficial metabolic shift in the body.

“At PHD, says Lucas, “we improve every aspect of our clients’ lives. We do not use shots, drops, supplements, or medications. We allow for success by creating a metabolic shift and long-lasting behavior change through a unique, simple, and customized approach. Our clients enjoy customizable meal plans, one-on-one coaching sessions, customizable technologies such as cognitive behavioral audio sessions and lymphatic therapy, and a free, for-life maintenance program. We focus on the mind and body as a whole.”

In the meantime, the Lucases had relocated to Silicon Valley due to Doug accepting a fellowship at Stanford University. Soon enough, she was working with a steady stream of clients, incorporating much of what she’d learned in sports medicine.

DOUG AND DR. ASHLEY LUCAS

“I found that what had significant impact on the health of athletes during my doctoral work, had even more profound effects on those of us struggling with excess body weight,” remembers Lucas. “I took everything that I learned from my dietetic internship and flipped it upside down. I didn’t just accept what we were told, and immersed myself figuring out why we really gain weight and have trouble keeping it off. As a part of my PhD, I worked with theoretical models to explain why we think and act in certain ways. The metabolic and

“This has been a family affair—it takes a team, compromise, and commitment from everyone.”

donate clothing, household goods, electronics & more

of unwanted goods diverted from landfills

theoretical work of my dissertation, the knowledge I gained from my dietetic internship, and my inability to accept information as it is given, led me to create the foundation of the PHD Approach.”

A move to Durango, Colorado, would find her establishing a small brick-and-mortar office while still counseling clients remotely from home in the evenings. The business steadily grew, enough so that she was able to move into a 1,500-sq.-ft. space, which remains the permanent Durango clinic. A second location followed, 45 minutes away in Farmington, New Mexico, and by all accounts, the business was taking off. “Together,” says Lucas, “we (Ashley and Doug) pushed through doubt, uncertainty, and fear. We hired a team, created

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insight

more systems, empowered more people, and changed more lives—and continue to do so in both Durango and Farmington.”

But PHD wasn’t the only thing that was expanding. By now the Lucas family included two sons, and a baby girl was on the way, and despite various outside observers questioning the wisdom of making a major physical move at this stage, they “decided the need to grow had overcome us. In August of 2018 we made one of the hardest the decisions in our life: to leave Durango, sell our dream house, and move to a city where we could grow as a family and a business. There were tears and so much doubt. After much debate, we landed in Asheville.

“We chose Asheville for many reasons. My husband needs mountains, [and] although Appalachia is a bit different from the Colorado fourteeners, it fit most of his needs. He loves white water and mountain biking, and Asheville fit the mix. Our family is close, and my parents actually moved to Asheville with us to help us with the kids. This has been a family affair—it takes a team, compromise, and commitment from everyone, and we would not be where we are without them, each other, and everyone else we have in our lives. We bought a home in Asheville, put our Durango house on the market, and made the move when I was 36 weeks pregnant. I met with a commercial realtor the day I arrived in Asheville and signed a lease a week

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later. Two weeks after that, the build-out for our Asheville clinic started.”

PHD of Asheville opened its doors this past April and has a staff of six, plus Lucas, who still visits the Durango and Farmington offices quarterly. Lucas calls her clinic teams her “Super Women,” and notes that her prior office manager in Durango, Rachel Neal, opted to relocate to Asheville where, in Lucas’ words, “she is honest, dependable, and a risk taker— which is needed when you run with this tribe! I couldn’t have done this without her, either.” PHD hopes to continue expanding, too, Lucas adding that plans are to open a location in Greenville, South Carolina, in January of 2020.

“I live every day in appreciation: appreciation for the opportunities I’ve had and the ones that are to come, for my husband, kids, family, our team, and for our clients, who have the trust in us to help them. We have had over 200 life changes so far and have dropped 4,000 pounds of fat since our opening.

I just hope that our kids see in us a passion to grow, a passion to help others, a passion to embrace opportunities, and to never#take the easy route.”

PHD Weight Loss is at 1833 Hendersonville Road, Suite 170, Asheville. Learn more at myphdweightloss.com.

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

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2019

Faces of

Enterprise “WE PROFILE THOSE WHO TAKE THE RISK, those who share that risk, and those who support them, inspiring others to do likewise, while giving back economically and socially to the communities that support us.” Straight from our mission statement—this is at the heart of what we do every month. In light of that mantra, and displayed throughout this edition, you will find Western North Carolina’s Faces of Enterprise (and on p. 112, Faces of Medicine). These are folks like you. People who live here, raise families here, and ultimately make our communities stronger, better, and more vibrant places to live. If you are a champion of “local” shopping, or if you want to see your dollar go farther in the community—possibly even come back to you through another local transaction— these are the people and businesses you’ll want to patronize.

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Faces of Enterprise

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The Faces of

Estate Jewelry Value

Befittingly housed in one of George Vanderbilt’s century-old, pebble-dash cottages in Biltmore Village, Estate Jewelry Ltd. specializes in preowned diamonds and fine jewelry sourced from local owners and estates. The jewelry store showcases pieces of unique provenance, and the second-hand buying results in prices that are much more affordable than comparable items purchased new.

Established in 2006, Estate Jewelry Ltd. focuses on the direct purchase of pre-owned diamonds and jewelry, so the inventory found there is unparalleled in both quality and value. In its cases, jewelry lovers will find significant estate diamond engagement rings, a wide range of colored gemstone jewelry, diamond stud earrings, and signed, one-of-a-kind designer pieces.

For customers looking to sell their diamonds and fine jewelry, Estate Jewelry Ltd. offers free verbal appraisals in a familiar and friendly setting. After a thorough inspection and diligent price research, the expert team presents their bonafide offer.

If accepted, the seller walks out with payment in hand. As Licensed Diamond Brokers, Estate Jewelry Ltd. is permitted to sell on a consignment basis, which typically results in a greater reward for the seller. Any items left on consignment are insured for the agreed upon amount, and payment is made within thirty days of the sale.

With decades of combined experience and a genuine passion for their work, the staff at Estate Jewelry Ltd. provides an enjoyable, educational, and rewarding experience for every customer.

At the helm is founder Richard Yaffin, a thirdgeneration jeweler who studied gemology through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to become a licensed diamond broker. Richard owned and operated a Florida jewelry store, passed down from his father, for 25 years. In retirement Richard moved to Asheville but missed the business; within a few years, he was back at it, this time in an antiques shop in Biltmore Village. Then, it was a one-man operation; now, thirteen years later, Estate Jewelry Ltd. is a team of five.

Certified GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) Stephen Frommel has been with Richard for six years. Originally from Memphis, Stephen manages the evaluation and purchase of jewelry, as well as directing the consignment program. In 2018 Adam Strauss brought his years of experience managing jewelry stores in New York to the business’ sales team. Pamela Atkinson, an administrative assistant and Asheville native, adds precision and detail to internal operations like bookkeeping and inventory. The business’ most recent addition, Anet Skillin, also an AJP, offers expertise in accounting and tech support. Together, the team provides a personable and professional experience to buyers and sellers alike.

The experience of browsing a curated selection of pre-owned diamonds and jewelry in a charming cottage is truly one-of-a-kind. Add to that a knowledgeable, friendly staff and a relaxed ambiance, and Estate Jewelry Ltd. is as uniquely special as the timeless pieces it sells.

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The Face of

Modern Architecture

Scott Huebner, Principal Architect

Faces of Enterprise 20

| November 2019

In Western North Carolina homeowners who crave long-range Blue Ridge vistas must confront the region’s challenging and mountainous terrain.

These steep, sloping sites are uniquely suited to the sleek lines of modern architecture, an approach embraced by the work of Brickstack Architects.

Principal architect Scott Huebner founded his practice in 2011 with the intention of asserting a progressive but regional modernism in Asheville, one that is highly crafted and responsive to the landscape. Throughout his early career in the Pacific Northwest, Scott cultivated a reverence for great architects like Louis Kahn, Mies Van Der Rohe, and Alvar Aalto, while striving to discover and refine his own unique strand of modernism.

The result is a thoroughly-modern architecture, one that is born of the Appalachians and in harmonious contrast to their organicism. Rooted in glass, wood, and steel, Brickstack Architects’ designs capitalize on the challenges of the land, freed from past styles and current trends. Their projects facilitate both contemporary intimacy and architectural splendor.

The modest firm’s work has attracted adventurous clients and critical acclaim.

In 2017 Brickstack Architects received an AIA Honor Award and the Matsumoto Gold Jury Prize for outstanding modern architecture. In 2019 the firm won the Matsumoto Bronze Jury Prize.

brickstack architects 573 fairview rd, ste. 4, asheville 28803 828.545.4233 - brick- stack.com

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Faces of Enterprise

Brandon Ellison

Casey Watkins

Meredith Ellison

The Faces of

Sarah Watkins

Modern Life Insurance

When Brandon Ellison, Casey Watkins, and Brian Pope founded Symmetry Financial Group in 2009, it was with the intention of creating a company where people—agents, staff, and customers alike—are the number one priority. Ten years later, that mission impacts more than 50 staff at its Swannanoa corporate office, over 3,000 agents nationwide, and hundreds of thousands of clients. This unparalleled growth earned the company recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Companies in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Through partnerships with over 30 of the nation’s top insurance carriers, Symmetry agents match clients with their best-suited life insurance solution. The company’s most popular offerings include mortgage protection insurance,

term life, and retirement vehicles that help clients maximize savings.

Symmetry Financial Group’s continued mission is evident in its philanthropy: In 2018 the company supported 35 regional nonprofits with more than $347,000. The company also champions employees with initiatives that promote their personal and professional development.

Though Symmetry’s scope is national, its roots remain local.

In 2012 the Ellisons and Watkins opened Native Kitchen and Social Pub on the first floor of their headquarters. Symmetry’s trajectory of advancement will continue in the year ahead with plans to break ground on new facilities at the 42-acre former Beacon Mill site.

symmetry financial group 104 whitson ave, swannanoa 28778 - 828.581.0475 - sfglife.com

Makeup by Ali Lawless November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 21

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Faces of Enterprise

— THIS PAGE (L to R) Dr. Millicent Burke-Sinclair Ed.D, Chief Executive Officer; Tyler Bice, Research and Development Team Leader; Rhonda Oakes, Vice President of Clinical Operations; Sue Ann Hamby, Director of Clinical Operations Support; Paige Wheeler, Major Gifts Officer

The Faces of Trusted Care In an era when healthcare is in flux, one thing is constant: Four Seasons remains an emblematic not-for-profit organization, providing hospice and palliative care services to patients with serious diagnoses, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Four Seasons was founded 40 years ago by a passionate group of volunteers who aimed to address the community’s lack of hospice care. Since then, the organization has expanded to answer a range of needs across eleven Western North Carolina counties. Through it all, Four Seasons is a persistent vanguard in innovative care, offering contemporary therapies and, through their participation in clinical research projects, advanced treatment options and services to those who need them most.

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Navigating a serious illness can be overwhelming to patients and families alike, but Four Seasons provides customized solutions and support. Whether confronting diagnosis, treatment, or end-of-life, the Four Seasons Care Navigation team provides peace of mind by collaborating with patients as they navigate the healthcare system and connect with community resources.

Four Seasons Home Care offers flexible services, from companionship to individualized care plans, that are adaptable to one’s needs. Others turn to the Elizabeth House at Four Seasons, where an interdisciplinary team provides advanced care and respite within a home-like environment.

Four Seasons specializes in palliative care, which provides a support system for those navigating a serious illness, and

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THIS PAGE (L to R) Maureen Williams, Director of Care Navigation; Mary Jo Powers, Director of Four Seasons Home Care; Emily Carter, Employee Solutions Coordinator; Jeremy Glidden, Volunteer Coordinator; Rikki Hooper, Senior Director of Palliative Care; Dr. Ashley Albers DO, Vice President of Medical Services

hospice care, which brings comfort to patients no longer seeking treatment. Four Seasons’ Bereavement team also supports the family and caregivers as well as the community at large through support groups, counseling, workshops, and retreats. For children and teens, Four Seasons offers Compass, an adolescent grief support program. A part of Compass is Camp Heart Songs, an annual overnight weekend experience.

In 2005, with the founding of the Research and Development department, Four Seasons became one of fewer than five nonprofit organizations in the country to participate in clinical research trials. Four Seasons has conducted more than 40 studies and grant projects to date.

The groundbreaking care at Four Seasons has long earned national accolades. In 2018 Four Seasons Home Care was awarded The Best of Home Care Leader in Excellence Award from Home Care Pulse alongside the Best Employer and Best

Provider Awards of Excellence. In 2019 Four Seasons was chosen to develop and test measures of serious illness care in a two-year grant from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The Four Seasons Foundation began in 2016 when community members committed to the Four Seasons mission with the philanthropic resources that are critical to ensuring access to high quality serious illness care for all.

As the organization grows, Four Seasons now provides palliative care to nearly 1,300 patients and hospice care to over 400 patients a day, all the while remaining a grassroots organization embedded in the WNC community. The team of more than 380 staff and 400 volunteers, as well as board members and donors, are committed to serving the community with support and trusted, compassionate care.

four seasons 571 south allen rd, flat rock 28731 - 866.466.9734 - fourseasonscfl.org

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The Faces of Transition

When Laura Webb founded Webb Investment Services in 1995, it was the result of years of experience, her passion for helping people build a secure financial future, and an intentional response to a nearly womanless industry.

Today, only 17% of financial advisors are women, and even fewer own the businesses they built from the ground up*. Where Webb is the minority now, in 1995, she was the exception.

But after working with several financial advisors across the country, she recognized she had a different perspective and skill set she could bring to the industry, particularly for women clients.

Nearly 25 years later, Webb’s all-female, all-local team offers a suite of collaborative wealth management services for families and individuals, especially women, including planning for retirement, investment consulting, socially responsible investing, and a spectrum of other wealth management services.

The process by which the Webb Investment Services team helps clients build and manage their wealth is comprehensive. They begin by building a financial plan based on the client’s individual situation, goals, and priorities. Then, they make investment recommendations based on that plan. They manage assets that are in accordance with the goals of the client and actively further their individualized plan, with a keen eye on risk necessary to meet those objectives.

With some of the region’s only professionals to have undergone Certified Financial Transitionist ® training, Webb Investment Services is exceptionally situated to help clients navigate the personal side of financial change.

Be it the death of a spouse, divorce, retirement, sale of a business, or inheriting a sum of money, life’s most challenging emotional transitions can instigate financial obstacles, too. Webb and her team have the experience and specialized training to help clients make smart decisions with their money in times when their judgment is often compromised.

Webb continues to work as an advocate for women, both in her business and outside of it. In 2019 the practice hosted the Em-Power Lunch event on Equal Pay Day, which marks the 16 months it takes a woman to earn as much as a man did the year before. As with so much of Webb’s work, the Em-Power Lunch served to inspire women to embrace their financial independence and futures. Proceeds benefited the Women for Women Endowment Fund, of which Webb is a founding member. It was also in 2019 that Webb published articles on women, power, and money, and presented at Women United and Western Carolina Medical Society Women’s Affinity Group on Doing Well While Doing Good, a lecture on socially responsible investing.

In 2020 Webb Investment Services will celebrate its 25th anniversary. That’s 25 years of normalizing women talking about money, 25 years of mindfully and sustainably helping grow clients’ wealth, and 25 years of helping clients navigate life’s financial challenges. Laura Webb founded Webb Investment Services because she thought she could build a financial services practice that meant something more—she was right. *www.financial-planning.com/slideshow/top-10independent-broker-dealers-by-women-advisors

webb investment services 82 patton ave, suite 610, asheville 28801 - 828.252.5132 - webbinvestmentservices.com webb investment services is independent of raymond james financial services and is not a registered broker /dealer.

investment advisory services are offered through raymond james financial services advisors, inc. certified financial planner boards of standards inc. owns the certification marks cfp ®.

securities offered through raymond james financial services, inc. member finra /sipc

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Faces of Enterprise

Carrie Martin, FPQP™ Client Relationship Manager Elaina Shuler, Client Service Specialist

Laura Webb, CFP® President and Founder WIS

Faith Doyle, MBA, Financial Advisor Associate

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 25

CAROLINA in the

WEST [

news briefs

Cycle In mcdowell county

Kitsbow, a manufacturer of apparel for cyclists, is relocating to Western North Carolina. The company wanted to build a manufacturing and distribution center for a just-in-time inventory system but lacked the space to do so at its California facility. Competitors typically estimate sales and order all clothing for the season from Asia 9-12 months in advance, and this results in 30-40% of apparel being destroyed after discounts. In addition to using raw materials more judiciously, just-in-time inventory reduces overhead expenses for warehousing. Kitsbow currently generates 25% of its revenue from self-manufactured items, and it is hoping 100% of its catalog will be manufactured in-house within two years. Reasons for selecting Old Fort from among over 11

]

competing sites included: wealth of talent from the textile industry and infrastructure that would support daily shipping. In addition, the new facility will be near two world-class single-track trails, mountain bike race starts and finishes, and acres of wildlands. The move was also motivated by a $200,000 state grant with a local match and incentives from other partner agencies.

faster than most. Last year, 1.13 million people arrived at or departed from the airport, an 18.6% increase from 2017 and a 67% increase from 2013. Departures from AVL were up 42%, compared to 8% at Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) and 17% at McGhee Tyson (TRI). October is AVL’s peak month, with an average of 3,400 passengers per day. During peak hours, 4:15-5:45PM, 716 passengers will pass through the airport. That number is expected to grow to 829 by 2023 and 1,168 by 2038. To grow capacity, the airport has knocked out walls and reconfigured office space. A 2018 report said the terminal was at capacity and recommended expanding the 113,000-sq.-ft. space to 276,000 by 2038. The expansion will cost $150-$200 million, and Executive Director Lew Bleiweis believes that could be covered by increasing the airport’s facility charge from $4.50 to $8.50.

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In a report to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority Director of Marketing Tina Kinsey discussed needs and options for airport expansion. Kinsey said all airports are growing, but Asheville (AVL) is growing

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and private developers, agencies, and local governments creating, preserving, or supporting housing for persons earning no more than 120% AMI. Using 2017 values, that would equate to rent or mortgage payments of about $1,300. The plan was vague, with specifics left out because Planning Director Michael Poston wanted to be open to creativity. Goals of the fund include creating more rental units for low-income families, constructing more Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act units, building near transit, abating residential health and safety risks, acquiring land, forging partnerships, and providing “the last mile” of funding. Loans and grants will be funded by the county, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the United States Department of Housing and Development.

We All Sit Down buncombe county

Brian Boggs is going to the Dubai Hotel Show. Boggs is a woodworker who makes and sells high-end original chairs and tables, doing business as Brian Boggs Chairmakers. The business started over 30 years ago as a hobby, with $50 of hand tools, and evolved as Boggs built his own

tools and machines to give him competitive edges. Boggs knows “the one or two percent” represent his main customer base, and they typically don’t buy furniture often. His strategy, therefore, is to find qualified buyers who like his style; Boggs’ least expensive chair retails for almost $2,000. The Dubai Hotel Show is one of six concurrent shows comprising Middle East Design and Hospitality Week.

Three other North Carolina businesses are attending the event with support from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Liz Isley, representing the partnership, did not expect any contracts to come out of the first contact.

She explained Middle Easterners will take a long time building relationships, over several overseas meetings, before entering into contracts.

carolina in the west

Peak and Attic Window, respectively, to retrieve a hiker with an injured ankle.

Deploying the helicopters cut risky, high-angle ground rescue times from seven hours to thirty minutes, but airlifting remains a very expensive option.

The need to set criteria defining the line between the advisability of ground and air transport was therefore one topic of conversation. The prevailing perspective was that the population would benefit by finding wider applications for the untapped potential of helicopter rescue.

Another concern was radio interoperability, since the half-dozen agencies involved in air rescues communicate on different channels. Representatives from the emergency management agencies of Avery County, Watauga County, and North Carolina, as well as staff from Grandfather Mountain and North Carolina State Parks, were in attendance.

Helicopters Underutilized avery county

Following two incidents, eleven days apart, that required helicopter rescue on Grandfather Mountain, emergency service providers met to identify opportunities for improvement should the trend continue. On both May 26 and June 5, the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team was dispatched to MacRae

Try-on a Film Festival polk county

The fifth-annual Tryon International Film Festival ran from October 11-13.

The event is a product of the Polk County Film Initiative (PCFI), a 501(c)(3) working to grow film production as a local economic sector. The event featured 64

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carolina in the west

films judged in five categories: Best FullLength Feature Film, Best Full-Length Documentary, Best Short Dramatic Film, Best Short Documentary, and Best Student Film; and judges were selected with backgrounds in screenwriting, acting, production, and direction. The event kicked off with a reception for filmmakers and actors that copied Hollywood, with a red carpet, tuxedos and sparkling gowns, and paparazzi. The next two days, the films screened in six venues in the historic downtown area, while workshops, hospitality parties, and other networking events connected people in the industry.

In addition to hosting the film festival, the PCFI sponsors film premiers, recruits projects for on-location filming, and develops talent sought by film producers.

Patching People Up buncombe county

Research begun at Mission Health System in Asheville is paying off. Imbed Biosciences has been awarded a $1.5 million Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Funds will support continuing research and development for the company’s ultrathin polymeric film wound dressing, MicroLyte. MicroLyte is unique in that it contains silver and gallium ions. Silver is well-known for its antimicrobial action, but biofilms that form naturally on chronic, nonhealing wounds, like foot and leg ulcers, trap bacteria under a barrier impervious to antibiotics and antimicrobials. Gallium recently has been discovered to not only be antimicrobial, but effective in breaking down biofilms. The first study followed 100 patients for 12 weeks, gauging wound sizes and healing times.

Imbed Biosciences is a private company cofounded by six affiliates of the University of Wisconsin, one of whom, Michael Schurr, MD, is a surgeon with Mission Hospitals.

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In the Market haywood county

Richie and Carrie Griffin have opened 828 Market on Main. The professional couple left Charlotte two years ago, wanting to raise their children further from the rat race. The store’s concept starts with a buy-local theme. So, a lot of groceries and dry goods, including meat, cheese, and ferments, are sold; as well as a small selection of prepared food, like beer, cider, tea, pastries, salads, charcuterie boards, and small-batch soups. The retail pays the bills, but the Griffins wanted to support something more valuable and lasting: relationships. So, the back of the store is a place to play games and work puzzles. Groups can use the area for meetings, and it is hoped more musicians will take an interest in performing or just jamming in the evenings. The Griffins say they received good mentoring from Clay and Katie Hughes, the former owners of Sunburst Market; and they intend to grow the store in response to customer input.

The market opens at 10AM.

Fitting Union buncombe county

Silver-Line Plastics has been acquired

by Ipex USA. Silver-Line was founded in 1962, in Woodfin, by Charlie R. Silver and Charles J. Silver. The manufacturer of plastic piping had since grown to open locations in Lawton, Oklahoma, and Fort Pierce, Florida. Industry bragging points from Silver-Line’s website include its being the first to fully automate the PVC blending process, the first to produce cellular core pipe with two instead of three extruders, and the first to be awarded sustainability certification from the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association.

Doing $140 million in business a year, Silver-Line was listed by Plastics News as America’s 34th largest pipe company.

Ipex, doing $460 million in annual business, is ranked eighth. Ipex is headquartered in Pineville, North Carolina, and it is a subsidiary of Aliaxis, which employs 16,100 worldwide. Silver-Line

was manufacturing products similar to Ipex’s and serving similar markets, including the plumbing, irrigation, utility, and gas industries.

Sew There henderson county

Diamond Brand Gear, a manufacturer of durable sporting goods like tents and backpacks, is launching an industrial sewing education program. The training is a partnership with Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC), A-B Tech, and twenty other manufacturers in Western North Carolina. Sewing used to be a common skill and trade in the area when the furniture industry was a large economic player. Now that sewing jobs are returning with small crafters, skills are somewhat obsolete. The curriculum, developed by the Maker’s Coalition and the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, teaches sewing terms, basic sewing techniques, how to read tech packs, and the ins-and-outs of dealing with different materials. Students will be trained on straight-stitch, coverstitch, and overlock machines. Courses will be offered in Spanish and English and meet for three hours, two nights a week, for ten weeks.

The first course, which will be offered at BRCC, is free and open only to incumbent employees. For the spring quarter, the course will be open to unemployed persons for a fee.

Foraging Ahead watauga county

Working out of Boone, Custom Forge is a handcrafter of modern, high-end, metal-frame furniture like dining and occasional tables and bed frames.

Founders Art and Susan Barber have been in business since 1974. They describe the business as having no high-speed assembly lines, but, instead, careful artisans conscientiously forging each piece. Custom Forge is vertically integrated, finishing forged works with wood, leather, and fabric. One of Custom Forge’s suppliers is Andrew Pearson Custom

Glassworks of Mount Airy. Pearson’s luxury glass, which can be laminated, frosted, CNC-design-beveled, irregularly shaped, or painted for stunning effects, is often used for Custom Forge tabletops.

Recently, Pearson asked if the Barbers would be interested in him outsourcing sales and marketing to Custom Forge, and an agreement was reached. Both companies sell to the same markets, but Custom Forge has a sales force operating nationwide. Customers include designers, architects, hotels, and retailers like Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, and Bloomingdale’s.

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How Low Can You Go? buncombe & henderson counties

Biltmore Iron and Metal, a family-owned metal recycler operating out of Asheville since 1929, opened a second location in Hendersonville in September. While Vice President Blake Cloninger expects both businesses to do well, the timing was not exactly optimal.

Cloninger was recently interviewed

by News 13 WLOS about plummeting metal prices. He concurred that copper and steel prices are at a three-year low; aluminum prices, a ten-year low. The prices of some materials have recently dropped 75%, some bringing in only two cents per pound. The scrap metal in a vehicle, for example, is now only worth about $100. And, in general, prices are expected to fall another $20 to $30 per ton in October trading. The sentiment among industry professionals is, they keep thinking prices have hit rock-bottom and will rebound, only to discover again, “there is no bottom.”

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No Longer Made in USA henderson county

The Fletcher manufacturing plant for Continental, long one of the area’s largest employers, will close, and operations will move to Mexico. Manufacturing will wind down in phases until the plant fully closes in 2022, but it is still

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November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 29

carolina in the west

months before the first layoffs will occur.

The Fletcher plant currently employs 650 in the manufacture of hydraulic brake systems. It is one of two United States factories affected by a $1.2 billion restructuring strategy designed to return $547 million annually beginning in 2023.

The other is a manufacturer of hydraulic components for gas engines in Newport News, Virginia, where 750 will be laid off.

With the popularity of electric vehicles, demand for Continental’s products has been sagging. The Fletcher plant was targeted because it had been unable to attract new customer accounts, and Continental will not invest any more resources in trying to grow its hydraulic component business. Other strategies hoped to spur profitability include dividing the company into three units and spinning off operations. No additional layoffs in the United States are called for in the company’s ten-year plan.

goal of eliminating all its fossil fuel use

by December 31, 2030. In June the city activated five electric buses, which it is monitoring to inform the further electrification of its fleet, which runs 17 vehicles peak. Since 2016, Duke has paid for almost 200 public electric vehicle charging stations in North Carolina, and it granted Greensboro $450,000 for charging stations as part of its EV Charging Infrastructure Project. The project aims to support transitioning to electric vehicles with $1.5 million set aside in a settlement with the United States EPA and other environmental groups. Additional funding for charging stations for municipal and school buses as well as private and public passenger vehicles is expected to become available from a $76 million project soon to be piloted by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Let Apples Surprise You western north carolina

The ART of Going Green buncombe county

Duke Energy awarded the City of Asheville $200,000 as reimbursement for five charging stations already installed for electric buses in the city’s transit system, Asheville Redefines Transit (ART).

The grant will help the city achieve its

This year’s drought conditions and high temperatures are causing a lot of apples to fall to the ground before they ripen.

And the apples that are being picked don’t look ripe; their colors and striping are not what customers have come to expect.

Then, other apples are experiencing the equivalent of sunburn, even when treated with a calcium product that normally

serves effectively as sunscreen. Sizes and weights are also atypical. During last year’s rainy growing season, many orchard trees sustained appreciable root damage. Now, in the extreme heat, they can’t get enough water, and they’re dying.

Even so, growers are optimistic a cold spell could force ripening in the nick of time. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports the state has over 300 commercial apple operations cultivating 14,000 acres of orchards; with most of the growing occurring in the mountains and foothills.

Henderson County produces the most apples with 3,600 acres under cultivation.

Skatepark – Psych! transylvania county

After volunteers raised $72,000 and worked 500 hours building a skatepark, the City of Brevard had to reject it. In response to public demand, a skatepark was included in the master plan for Tannery Park; and in 2018 a public-private partnership was announced for construction. As early as a few weeks before completion, it was still understood that the skatepark would be dedicated to the city. But then Formation PR + Brand, a public relations firm working for Brevard, announced a significant

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lawsuit in Swansboro had led the North Carolina League of Municipalities, which insures the city, to exclude coverage for skateparks that are not made of concrete under basic premiums. Concrete is the material of choice because it is durable, low-maintenance, and all-weather; and it provides “optimal grip.” Cities can get protection against claims arising from incidents occurring on ramps made of other materials if they’re willing to pay extra. Now, the city is exploring options, which include relocating the ramps to be run under private ownership and possibly using municipal funds to build new, concrete ramps on the existing concrete foundation. Currently, the site is closed to the public and under police surveillance.

and renovation and new construction for two special exhibition halls and more collection storage space. Other special features include public art installations and programming on the plaza; a large, sunlit atrium, ten new galleries, hands-on, creative space, a 15-foot overlook of the city, and a rooftop sculpture terrace and café. Perhaps most significantly, the gallery now has the capacity to host major traveling exhibitions from the nation’s largest museums. During construction, the museum had been operating out of a building on Biltmore Avenue; and it had partnered with schools, libraries, and banks for storage and display.

At Long Last

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After spending more than $24 million and waiting over a decade during planning and construction, the renovated Asheville Art Museum has announced it will open November 14. Beverly-Grant was the general contractor, and Ennead and ARCA Design served as architects. Construction included the historic preservation of the museum’s north wing, which was formerly the city’s library new construction of the west wing with its signature glass façade,

Meaningful Engagement Philip Henry, a Emmy award-winning director and editor at a commercial film company opened the Pisgah Film House in the former location of Drew Deane Gallery. Working as the nonprofit Pisgah Film Project, Henry began bimonthly screenings about a year ago without a permanent location, and the shows kept selling out. Deane, who now lives in Raleigh, told him he could have the front of her gallery if he ever wanted to screen full-time. He crunched the numbers and decided it would be worth it. The theater

has only 38 seats, and it is decorated with some of Deane’s retro-noir-themed art. For now, Henry is only screening Thursdays through Sundays, keeping the scene meaningful with community events and themed series. An art house theater, the Pisgah Film House will only screen award-winning, independent films, featuring foreign language productions and documentaries.

Marching App watauga county

Jason Gardner, the new director of Appalachian State University’s marching band, the Marching Mountaineers, wants to use technology to take the band to the next level. During band practice, musicians now have cell phones mounted on their instruments so they can access the “Ultimate Drill Book” app. The app shows each band member his time-dependent position for assembling formations on the field, an exercise that was costing the school 50,000 to 60,000 sheets of paper a year. The band’s sheet music is also uploaded on the phones. Preliminary feedback from students conforms to Gardner’s expectations that the technology will not only improve performances, but make routines of higher levels of technical difficulty accessible.

Western Carolina University Nonprofit Education Network WCU’s Nonprofit Education Network is designed to support nonprofits and nonprofit organizations in the region by providing a variety of educational opportunities, including: Master of Public Affairs - Nonprofit leaders can take their career to the next level with the knowledge and skills gained in the Master of Public Affairs program. This NASPAA-accredited program equips students with the knowledge and skills to address public policy challenges the nonprofit and public sectors face.

Certified Nonprofit Professional - In collaboration with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, this module-based education program has detailed content in all areas needed to lead a nonprofit. Discover what it takes to become a Certified Nonprofit Professional.

Professional Development - WCU’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment, as part of the Division of Educational Outreach, offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities and training for your staff and the programs are designed for employees with varying levels of experience, in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

For more information about the network, visit nonprofit.wcu.edu.

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photo from Envato

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Joining Forces Western North Carolina nonprofits that collaborate and partner together do so in order to make a difference—and to boost their organizations’ effectiveness and efficiency.

written by jennifer fitzger ald

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photos cour tesy United Way

MIDDLE GRADES NETWORK meets twice a year

T

KENYON LAKE (R) of My Daddy Taught Me That picking up donated backpacks

here’s strength in numbers,

so it’s natural that different nonprofits would create alliances through which they can both benefit. Capital at Play spoke to a number of individuals from the regional nonprofit sector in order to examine this dynamic.

Lindsay Hearn of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina points out that “many local nonprofits collaborate to avoid duplication of services and to ensure that broad coalitions are working to solve issues facing the region.”

Indeed. A good example of this type of partnership can be found between the Council on Aging (COA) and MountainCare.

There has been an ongoing discussion in the aging community for the need to streamline and simplify access to services.

Understanding the various systems, process, and resources available as needs change due to aging requires time, skill, and persistence.

COA and MountainCare came together to take on the challenge of creating an active aging center. As service providers to the aging community, they strive to do anything they can to support elders, and what better way to accomplish that than by working together? The project is currently in the exciting spot between the dreaming phase and the nailing it all down phase.

“This can already be a challenging time for a family and the burden of navigating a complex system can greatly add to 34

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the challenge,” says Elizabeth Williams, Executive Director of MountainCare.

Jen Teague, Executive Director of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, invited the aging services providers of Buncombe County together and asked who was ready to simplify this system by having everyone work together at one location—a location that was easily accessible and gave caregivers and elders access to multiple services.

“There are a few centers across North Carolina and the country that successfully follow this model,” says Williams.

“The goal is to create an active aging center that caters to the needs of older adults, their caregivers, and family. Our current vision, at this early stage for the Active Aging Center, includes an adult day program, a senior center, a meal site, a food pantry, and a commercial kitchen. These onsite facilities would be accompanied by access to various nonprofits that provide services like case management, counseling, support groups, and various educational opportunities. These other nonprofits service providers might be on-site full or part-time.

Jen continues to remind us all: That if not now, when? We know we have one of the fastest growing older adult populations in the state, and it is our responsibility to serve them in the best and [most] efficient way possible.

“As the Executive Director of MountainCare, I saw this as an exciting opportunity that we would not have been able to be a part of a year ago when we were in the Mission Health

DAYS OF IMPACT volunteers in front of the YMCA mobile kitchen

system. MountainCare, Inc. was formed when HCA purchased the Mission Health system February 1. MountainCare is made up of four services that have been serving the community for over 30 years. These services rely on grants and donations and these services would not be possible in the for-profit model of HCA.” The fundamentals for any successful relationship are required when multiple nonprofits join together—communication, respect, negotiation, and more communication. Currently, the COA’s Teague has taken the lead while Williams has been consumed with disentangling MountainCare from HCA and Mission Health and focusing on creating a solid foundation for the new nonprofit entity. Moving forward, they plan to take a more equal role for the project and look forward to that challenge. Both are goal-oriented and motivated to get things done, which bodes well when working together. The focus is not on who is doing what but what is accomplished together.

Williams and Teague say there are many benefits to working together as nonprofits. They are not solely driven by the bottom line and are equally driven by their mission. That allows them to partner with others when their missions complement each other.

Everyone benefits by working together in this way—achieving their mission by providing the best services for the community.

“We make a positive impact on our bottom line when we are the most efficient and effective with our resources and funding,” explains Williams. “We accomplish all of this by working together. When we are successful in creating an active

aging center, the partnership will be ongoing. The goal is for MountainCare and COA to offer services at a shared location.

We are very early in the project planning, but we see many opportunities in continuing to work together. It would be great to share resources, space, staff—the list could go on and on.

Anything to make our services more efficient and to reduce costs is worth exploring.”

*** Jeanne Canina Tedrow, President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, shares that the concept of collaborating and creating partnerships among nonprofits has been growing and attributed to the flow of funding, supported by foundations and corporate donors who want to see more collaboration among nonprofits.

“In some respects, this does offer some efficiencies in the nonprofit sector. It also suggests that nonprofits in a community are ‘duplicating’ services, when this typically does not bear out,” she says. “In most communities the goods and services that nonprofits provide far exceed the demand for those services. Increasing collaboration among nonprofits helps to leverage limited resources and funding allocations in practice. Organizations are able to complement their services and leverage their resources. Funders are supportive when nonprofits work together.”

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PACK AND SORT school supply drive

It is not necessarily a small nonprofit partnering with a large nonprofit, though often a smaller organization might work with a larger organization to gain capacity and be enabled to serve a wider group. Sometimes, larger nonprofits will create partnerships that leverage their influence in their community and will seek out smaller community-based and grassroots organizations in order to have a greater on-site presence in communities they serve.

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits offers membership to all 501C3 organizations and offers professional development resources, board governance training, best practices for nonprofit management, support for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the sector and money saving partnerships.

Are donor and mailing lists typically shared between nonprofits working together?

“Not typically,” says Tedrow. “These are relationships that are carefully cultivated, and donor information typically would not be shared across organizations without the donor’s permission, as this is a privacy issue that organizations do and should protect. The reasons donors make contributions to organizations are typically based on their passion for the mission of the organization. Unless the donor guided the organization toward a collaboration in which they have a presence, then their personal information is not likely shared.”

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The YMCA of Western North Carolina partners with dozens of organizations across the region, state, and country to improve the health and well-being of the community. MaryO Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, shares the example of YMCA Camp Watia in Bryson City, which was created with the idea that all local children should have access to a camp, regardless of family circumstance or income. From the beginning, it committed to setting aside 25% of its bunks for children and youth in vulnerable situations.

To date, approximately 600 campers have received financial assistance and/or have been referred by partner agencies, including Guardian ad Litem, Camplify, Open Doors, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

United Way is a nonprofit with plenty of experience in partnering with other nonprofits. Through their community school strategy, they are working with Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, and more than 50 nonprofit and public service partners to remove the barriers to student success by coordinating and amplifying services that address academics, youth development, physical and mental health care, and other social services that support not only student success but also strong families and engaged communities.

“As I learn more about United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s history, it strikes me that everything

photos cour tesy United Way

we do is about partnerships with other nonprofit agencies,” says Dan Leroy, United Way’s newly hired President and CEO. “As a grantmaking organization, we have long supported the work of local agencies financially and via technical assistance.

But we are much more than a grantor. This year alone, we’ve driven close to 14,000 visitors to our online volunteer database to explore the opportunities within our nonprofit community. And our information and referral call center, NC 2-1-1, connects more than 40,000 people in crisis to local and regional nonprofit and public services every year.

“At the end of the day, there isn’t a nonprofit leader out there that doesn’t want to solve the issues they are dedicated to addressing. But most are working on a shoestring budget that doesn’t leave room for scalable innovations that address truly complex issues. That said, I believe real, long term change happens when we work together in true partnership. When I say we, I mean the people most affected by the issues are working alongside community groups—the nonprofits and public services, our local governments, and, yes, our business leaders. Complex problems require each of us to bring our perspectives and strengths to the table. It is our unique skills and mutually reinforcing activities that allow us to tackle problems and build solutions.”

United Way’s goal, notes Leroy, is always to have the greatest impact on the lives of people in the community and that it is unacceptable that a quarter of the children in the community do not know where their next meal is coming from. It is unacceptable that our city has the fifth-highest achievement gap among children of color in the nation. It is unacceptable that we have the highest cost of housing in the state.

“So, our overriding goal at United Way and our nonprofit community is always to raise awareness, mobilize volunteers, recruit new and diverse partners, and, yes, raise the funds needed to honestly and fully fuel our community-led efforts.”

Leroy says he believes that nonprofits can align and work together with other nonprofits by thinking and acting less like individual organizations that periodically partner on projects, and more like an interconnected network—or networks—of aligned partners engaged in collective impact work.

“Each of these networks has a common agenda, a shared system of measuring results, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and a backbone organization. This is our approach in the community school strategy, and we are already seeing how dozens of partners working together across two school systems can improve educational outcomes for all students. United Way is the backbone organization for this work, but the initiative belongs to all of us. And we’re only effective if everyone is engaged.”

Similarly, Tara Thompson McCracken, Director of Workforce Development for the Western region of Goodwill Industries, says that community and partnership is in Goodwill Industries’ mission, and partnering with other nonprofits in the area is important.

LIP SYNC BATTLE Staff Ken Venables (L) and Dan Leroy

photo from Envato November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 37

CHRIS LEWIS, OF Sharing House’s “Wheels to Work” program, checking the brakes on a donated car. photo courtesy Rev. Shelly Webb

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“For example, WNCAP (Western North Carolina AIDS Project) representatives are guest speakers in our project reentry classes inside local prison facilities; we partner with SPARC foundation to assist individuals who are justiceinvolved; we work closely with A-B Tech Community College to schedule and host classes in our Goodwill facility on Patton Avenue,” she says. “Those are just a few examples of the partnerships in our area and we value our community relationships. We cannot assist individuals alone and believe that the more we work together, the better service we can provide to our community.”

“We cannot assist individuals alone and believe that the more we work together, the better service we can provide to our community.”

Goodwill finds partnering with another nonprofit is a way to learn more about what is offered in the community and, more importantly, to not duplicate efforts. In nonprofits it is important to be good stewards of their funding and work together to maximize our community impact.

*** In Western North Carolina there are not only nonprofits joining together, but examples of local government municipalities contributing assistance. One example of this is the Wheels to Work Program, which began 14 years ago as a way to build support for low-resourced people—people who were employed but struggled with unreliable transportation. In Transylvania County, one of the greatest barriers to obtaining and keeping a good-paying job is reliable transportation. Public transportation is not available in the county. Roads are curvy with few sidewalks, making it hard to safely get to work without any other means besides a reliable car, truck, or van.

To address these problems, Sharing House (Transylvania Christian Ministry) developed Wheels to Work for receiving cars (ideally less than 12 years old) from community donors.

Sharing House works with donors to transfer the title as a donation with full tax advantage documentations.

Rev. Shelly Webb, Executive Director of Sharing House, explains that they partner mostly with Transylvania County government and businesses and often benefit by 38

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(L-R) JACKSON COUNTY Commissioner Boyce Deitz, HERE Program Director Robert Cochran, Housing Case Manager Destri Leger, County Commissioner Ron Mau, Commissioner Chairman Brian McMahan, and County Commissioner Gayle Woody. photo courtesy Destri Leger

collaborating in sharing referrals and information with NC Works, local small business employers, and other agencies who are involved with low-income personal case management, nonprofits who work with individuals to increase self-reliance.

After receiving the car, it is taken to volunteer Chris Lewis, who is a retired self-entrepreneur and currently a racecar driver. He takes the cars and replaces parts to make them roadworthy. He works constantly behind the scenes with donors and with refurbishing the cars at his home workshop.

Sharing House hired a position called “Empowerment Programs Manager,” which is responsible for promoting the program among neighbors (Sharing House calls people who receive their services neighbors—avoiding the word “client”). Susan Matthews meets with prospective Wheels to Work neighbors to go over a budget to include income, car payments ($20 a month), and car insurance. The person fills out a Wheels to Work application and secures a job that requires transportation as the first step.

Sharing House also reaches out to local businesses to inquire about employees who struggle with reliable transportation. Employers can make referrals to the program, which benefits both the employer and employee if Sharing House can make a match. The participant is expected to make the $20 monthly car payment donation for two years to Sharing House, where these payments are pooled together to help other neighbors with major car repairs.

The program provides around 10 to 12 personal vehicles into the ownership of working low-income individuals per year. Sharing House also assists with approximately six to eight car repairs to keep a vehicle operational. In the coming year, the goal is to increase this number by 200% so that more people can rely on their personal vehicles for employment. The program is dependent on community members donating their road-worthy cars to the program.

The program costs around $40,000 a year to operate annually. Participants’ “payments” contribute around $3,000 back into the program.

“The neighbors absolutely love being engaged in a ministry that pays it forward, so to speak,” says Rev. Webb. “Their car ‘payments’ are then given to help someone else who has similar struggles with reliable transportation.

“In the coming year, we are expanding the W heels to Work program to include more availability of funds for car repairs. Our neighbors in need will be able to apply for a car repair loan, where they will be expected to repay up to 25% of the loan—which will go back into the general car repair loan fund to help more folks in need. We are cultivating business partnerships with Egolf Ford and Dodge, Larry’s Auto Repair, and Chris Lewis to continue our purchasing [and] donation power.”

Sharing House receives an annual $10,000 contract with Transylvania County Government to provide up to 10 vehicles per year to deserving, hard-working low-income county residents. The November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 39

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county’s strategic plan is to provide independence and workforce reliability by increasing the available modes of transportation.

“We use this contract/grant to help the county meet one of their targeted goals of providing low-income residents with reliable transportation,” explains Rev. Webb. “Without public buses or walkable/biking safe routes, this is a good option—to provide people with personal means of transport.

“The power of owning one’s own car or truck is a lifechanging asset. Having the ability to seek work outside of a walking or biking distance radius from one’s home is essential to gaining income and independence. It is practical to equip low-resource people with the means to arrive to work on time, whether it be an early morning shift, noon, or late evening employment. It is also a source of expanding a families’ means to participate in community events such as after school activities, community gatherings such as church, festivals, volunteer work. Owning one’s own reliable transportation builds self-esteem and income probability. Someone with a vehicle can work odd shifts and get children to daycare so as to free up one’s responsibilities to generate income.”

Rev. Webb adds that the goal is certainly to raise public awareness about the barriers for living wage work in Transylvania County. Many people who retire here with wealth are unaware of the struggle and burden for young families who live in the county. Obtaining a 40 hours per week job is difficult when the majority of positions are seasonal and the payrate is below the designated “living wage” of $13.25 per hour. It takes working long hours in multiple jobs to keep up with the pace of the cost of living.

“Then add to the problem of unreliable transportation, where a blown transmission, which can stop one’s income simply because they cannot get to work, begins the downward spiral of unpaid bills and suffering. A costly repair can make the spiral happen even faster. A simple solution is to have a fund for those who qualify to get them back to work as soon as possible. This helps not only the person and their family—but also their employer and our community.”

***

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Let’s shift to Jackson County, where an existing homeless program bounced around between agencies for a number of years and therefore never grew in programming or capacity. In 2018 when members of the WNC Homeless Coalition learned that the program was again being dropped, the decision was made to form a new agency to “permanently house” Jackson’s Homeless Program. HERE (Housing Equality Resources & Education) in Jackson was founded in 2018 and received nonprofit tax-exempt status in 2019.

Destri Leger, Housing Case Manager for HERE in Jackson County, explains that the board is made of members from local agencies and community resources, including Western

photos cour tesy United Way

Like a “Shark Tank” for Students

W

ELAINA AND STUDENTS

hile it is not a nonprofit, Cougar Tank’s mission is very similar to that of a lot of area nonprofits: to empower students. Based at Asheville Middle School and created by educator Elaina Portugal, Cougar Tank—the school’s sports teams are the Cougars—is like a “Shark Tank” for middle schoolers, and a partnership with United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County helps provide valuable resources for the operation of the program.

Portugal explains: “Cougar Tank was born out of a desire to make learning meaningful.

Part of the curriculum in 7th grade social studies is to understand personal finance and economic systems. What better way to understand than to experience? Another huge factor in creating Cougar Tank, which is really the mission, is the idea of equity and to arm every student with the skills needed to create opportunities and income. Not all students have access to finances to be able to buy the supplies and start their own business. Most students don’t know how to start a business and make sure it is viable. Cougar Tank, and pitching to investors, is a way to level the playing field and give every student, regardless of economic background, the opportunity to start a company and create an income.

“The process is lengthy. We begin Cougar Tank by forming companies and developing a business plan. Students learn that to have a company, they need a product that people want or need.

They learn that if they are working with business partners, they must identify roles and expectations before they can begin. They also learn that before they begin, they must have a written exit procedure in case the partnership doesn't work out.

“Once they identify their product, roles, and company’s mission, the next phase is to create a prototype and to do some marketing research. Students create questionnaires about their prototype and visit other classrooms to get feedback on their ideas. This helps them determine a price point. Once this is set, they create a budget sheet based on how much it would cost to make the product versus how much they can sell each unit for. They calculate potential profits and losses based on the amount of product they can make with their supplies, and then they begin making their products. We fill out requisition forms to order the supplies and spend hours creating marketing campaigns and advertising around the school. Finally, we have the fair.

“I partner with United Way, and they find investors for the students’ companies. Local companies and small businesses invest in the students and often offer some mentoring to the students as well. To date, I have had almost 200 students participate in Cougar Tank. The majority of them met with success. Many of them tried their hand at selling on Etsy and at other fairs.” • November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 41

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Carolina University, Legal Aid of NC, Mountain Projects (Section 8 and Community Action Agency), Department of Social Services, Down Home NC (Community Organizing and Harm Reduction Services), United Community Bank, and Vaya Behavioral Health.

“After incorporating in 2018,” says Leger, “HERE responded to Jackson County’s Government Request for Proposal for agencies looking to fill the role of Jackson’s primary homeless services provider. HERE was the only respondent, further exemplifying our county’s gap in homeless service providers.

Though we had not yet achieved nonprofit status and were still in early developmental stages, our county manager and county finance director began providing guidance and input on our agency development. After approximately six months of working in collaboration (in which time HERE achieved nonprofit status), Jackson County Government designated HERE in Jackson County as the official homeless service provider for the county in October 2019.

“For 2019 we are operating our emergency shelter program at a similar capacity as former organizations. However, we as an agency and community are prioritizing developing a brick-and-mortar shelter so that we may provide emergency

shelter year round. We received a grant from Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers that allowed us to provide services to those in need while we waited for the county to designate HERE and begin disbursing funds. We have a number of other pending grants. We are currently providing house-focused case management services.”

HERE acts as the lead agency for homeless services, but receives input from multiple community resources, including those represented on their board of directors and others.

They continue working with Jackson County Government to ensure that their capacity and program development is able to adequately address the needs of the Jackson County community.

The overriding goal for HERE is to raise awareness about the causes of homelessness, who experiences homelessness, what services are available for homeless households, and what steps we as a community can make to combat homelessness proactively. Since there are many factors for homelessness, HERE often works in collaboration with community service providers for increasing awareness.

“Our strong nonprofit partnerships have been instrumental in our development,” continues Leger. “We have many

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well-established nonprofits in the region who were able to offer guidance on policy and programming development.

These community connections also ensure that we are not duplicating existing or available services. Regular

Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” community and coalition meetings ensure that there is a continuation of care for those experiencing homelessness between their different supports and service providers.

Instead of providing every service needed to end homelessness, we look at the issue as intersectional and use the good work already being provided in Jackson County to supplement our housing specific services.

“Our partnerships are ongoing and vary from project to project. Public transit has been a vital partner in providing transportation to our clients—a vital resource in a large rural region with a poverty rate above the national average.

We also partner with our Section 8 provider to give literally homeless households a priority referral. Another new local nonprofit, Advocates for Animals, provides pet deposit assistance and other veterinary needs for our clients with animals. We also partner with multiple harm reduction, substance use, and mental health service providers to raise community awareness about the importance of safe, affordable housing for those working on sobriety and mental health goals.”

*** Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” This sums up the concept of nonprofits working together for the betterment of Western North Carolina—joining forces to make a difference.

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It all began with a well-worn Rolodex.

It was 1972, and First Call For Help was a new information and referral call center serving Buncombe County. Those who answered the calls from the offices of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County would thumb through the cards, gathering details in order to connect the person on the line to the best resource for their needs.

In 2019 things look a little different. Computers have replaced the Rolodex. Certified specialists answer calls that were once handled by volunteers. And, since joining the NC 2-1-1 network, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is now able to serve the people of 16 western North Carolina counties. But one thing hasn’t changed: Those in need can still call this 44

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service 24/7 to find the resources they need to remedy most life situations.

With access to a comprehensive, statewide database and strong community relationships, 2-1-1 community resource specialists help callers navigate their next steps with information like phone numbers and hours of operation, as well as important details like what to bring, qualifications, and key people to ask for. In an era when data is more readily available than ever, the center also provides something Google or Siri can’t: a human connection. There is always a real, live, local person at the end of the line. Specialists are highly trained to listen for unspoken needs, to problem solve with a caller when

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no resources exist, and to follow up if there’s a concern that the caller might need further support.

Our local call center is not just a support system for those in need. Emergency responders, social workers, friends, and family can call on behalf of those they serve or love as well.

Even business owners can turn to the service: HR can refer an employee experiencing difficulties to 2-1-1; call for questions like how to find local programs to support your employees’ health; or simply provide NC 2-1-1 brochures to your team.

One of two NC 2-1-1 call centers, the Asheville location recently received its fourth consecutive, five-year accreditation from AIRS, the organization that sets and reviews information and referral call center standards nationwide.

Working closely with NC Emergency Management, NC 2-1-1’s response efforts in recent back-to-back hurricanes earned the organization laudation from Governor Roy Cooper, who

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named it “the Governor’s line to be used during times of disaster.” And United Way of NC and NC 2-1-1 staff were recently presented with two awards by AIRS for the creation of communication protocols between 2-1-1 and 9-1-1 during natural or manmade disasters.

This fall United Way’s NC 2-1-1 will work with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us to implement the first statewide coordinated care network. NCCARE360 unites healthcare and human services organizations with a shared technology platform, allowing for a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina.

What started with a Rolodex is now WNC’s comprehensive, nationally-recognized resource for guidance and solutions.

united way of asheville and buncombe county 50 s. french broad ave, asheville 28801 - 828.255.0696 - unitedwayabc.org

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 45

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Faces of Enterprise

The Face of Design

Since Warren Fluharty founded his business, Warren Fluharty Designs, 45 years ago, the interior design firm has become an authority on high-end design in Western North Carolina. The company, formerly known as Inside Ltd., Lush Life Home, and Structure, encompasses three distinct divisions: a showroom, interior design, and staging for high-end residential properties.

The Warren Fluharty Designs showroom is home to an array of sophisticated samples hand-picked by Fluharty. Because he deals exclusively in samples, Fluharty is able to sell the pieces, like upholstered furniture, case goods, exotic accessories, and art, at wholesale prices. Shop manager Adam King, who’s worked

and trained with Fluharty for 12 years, and Bengal shop cat Nina are always around to help customers choose the best pieces for their homes.

When it comes to Fluharty’s design customers, he does not order from catalogues or from a furniture market; instead, he cherry picks each piece in-person to ensure the pieces are right for the client. Fluharty’s knack for interior design and his showroom, one of the few that carries the refined furnishings of high-end homes, has garnered the attention of the region’s prominent brokers, who increasingly tap the firm to help with staging multimillion dollar residential properties.

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Faces of Enterprise

The Faces of

Smart Personal Investing White Oak Financial Management, Inc. is in the business of helping people realize their goals. For 15 years, the firm has helped clients manage their investments and retirement income responsibly and constructively to build and maintain the life they want.

It began in 2003, when the founders opened White Oak determined to employ a proven technical analysis system that would allow them to better advise their clients on both what to buy and sell and when to do so. It’s that system that still defines discretionary investment management at White Oak today, providing an accurate pictorial representation of the current markets by charting price

movement, rather than relying on daily financial and political news.

With nearly 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry, the White Oak team offers care and expertise in financial products and investments with no minimum required account size or product requirements. Their services are personalized and include knowledgeable, multifaceted financial guidance, specializing in retirement income planning in both the accumulation and income phases. They offer a pet-friendly, warm, and welcoming office environment. With authenticity, experience, and compassion, White Oak helps their clients live well.

white oak financial management, inc .

1270 hendersonville rd, #4, asheville 28803 - 828.274.7844 - whiteoakfinancialmanagement.com

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 47

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Faces of Enterprise

The Faces of Retirement Planning

When Henry Colton founded his solo life insurance firm in 1950, he was a former WWII Naval Aviator with an engineering degree from Yale and a law degree from Chapel Hill; but one of his greatest achievements would prove to be the business that bears his name. Colton Groome & Company has since evolved into a multidisciplinary wealth management firm offering a range of services, including financial planning, advisory, insurance planning, trust services, and corporate retirement planning. As independent advisors, the firm works only for its clients, prioritizing their needs in order to identify and initiate strategies to achieve their goals.

Colton Groome is one of Western North Carolina’s leaders in corporate retirement plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans. The firm integrates seamlessly into clients’ businesses, operating as an extension of their Finance and 48

| November 2019

Human Resources departments with intuitive and personalized plans. Colton Groome combines knowledge, professionalism, technology, and ingenuity to provide national resources with local accountability and delivery.

The merits of Colton Groome’s corporate retirement plans are evident company-wide: Employees gain access to the firm’s advisory team through interactive group employee education sessions and complementary one-on-one participant meetings, and business owners receive a customized service plan that provides mutual expectations in delivering investment advice, fiduciary oversight, fee analysis, and participant engagement.

The firm’s retirement plans are delivered with white-glove service by a cadre of experienced and passionate financial professionals. The team is led by Matt Groome, Co-CEO and Director of Retirement Plans. A CFP® (Certified Financial

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Planner), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), and QPFC (Qualified Plan Financial Consultant), Groome was recognized nationally as a top 50 Retirement Plan Advisor under the age of 40. Dave Nelson, a CRPS® (Certified Retirement Plan Specialist) and AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary), is the firm’s dedicated Retirement Plans Advisor and leads Plan Sponsor meetings and employee education. As the Retirement Plan Coordinator, Stacey Anderson works closely with Plan Sponsors on all aspects of retirement plan activities. Matt Donohue, a CFP®, CPA, and CFA level III candidate, is the Investment Analyst “behind the scenes,” investigating all investment-related data and changes.

The effectiveness of Colton Groome’s approach is evident in the relationships it cultivates. The firm utilizes technology,

expertise, and processes to drive efficiencies in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, gaining market share from Advisors that are not dedicated 100% to the retirement plan business. Even as the retirement plan landscape shifts, Colton Groome will continue to exceed expectations with the aid of advancements like customized enrollment videos for retirement plan clients, which will help employees understand their retirement plan benefits.

Approaching its 70th year, Colton Groome & Company remains one of WNC’s oldest independent financial planning firms, a feat accomplished through the concierge-level service, adaptive custom plans, and precision and thoroughness that continue to define the firm today.

colton groome & company 1127- b hendersonville rd, asheville 28803 - 828.252.1816 - coltongroome.com certified financial planner board of standards inc. (cfp board) owns the certification marks cfp®, certified financial planner™, in the u.s., which it authorizes use of by

individuals who successfully complete cfp board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. fee based financial planning and asset management services offered through colton groome financial advisors, llc, an sec registered investment advisor. securities offered through valmark securities, inc. member finra /sipc, 130 springside drive, suite

100, akron, ohio 44333-2431, 1-800-765-5201. colton groome

& company and colton groome financial advisors, llc are separate entities from valmark securities, inc.

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 49

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Faces of Enterprise

The Faces of

Modern Furniture ambiente modern furniture 9 reed st, asheville 28803 - 828.412.5505 - ambientefurniture.com

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Modern furniture designs garner a host of buoyant adjectives: sleek, innovative, distinctive, creative.

Generally absent from such descriptions, however, is the most important adjective of all, comfortable—except at Ambiente Modern Furniture. Here, the designers choose pieces that are both pragmatically ergonomic and strikingly crafted, delivering furniture that contradicts the norm in all the best ways.

The furniture of Ambiente is unique not just in its comfort and style, but in its origins and craft. The heirloom quality pieces are sourced from more than 100 manufacturers around the globe, in far-flung countries like Italy, Germany, Norway, and Denmark, and close to home in the United States. Each piece is considered based not just on its design and utility, but on the manufacturers’ eco-friendly practices; Ambiente prioritizes pieces that were crafted responsibly. With an eye for quality and sustainability, each piece of furniture is intended to last a lifetime and beyond.

Ambiente Modern Furniture’s offerings are meant to be proudly passed down for generations to come.

Though timeless, the furniture is designed for a distinctly modern lifestyle. Popular pieces include Stressless recliners from Norway with elegantly hidden footrests and the soft, gentle rocking motion of BalanceAdapt. Ambiente’s sleeper sofas feature innovative and subtle mechanisms that transition between styles with ease, ideal for Airbnbs and guest suites.

Ambiente’s furniture is distinctive, as is the service with which it’s proffered. As a third generation, family-owned business, Ambiente’s success over the years is attributed to its unwavering devotion to customer service, both during the shopping experience and after. When Dan Haugaard opened his first store in North Hampton, Massachusetts in the sixties, it was to capitalize on his connections with Danish artists, crafters, and artisans and to share their crafts, home goods, and art with the States. As the business’ focus shifted to furniture, the family’s commitment to the buying experience remained unchanged. Today, his son and grandson continue to offer unforgettable service and furniture alike.

Ambiente Modern Furniture has grown to include two locations in North Carolina, including Asheville, which celebrated its second anniversary in October of 2019.

Both showrooms offer customers the opportunity to see, touch, feel, and experience hundreds of furniture items.

The showrooms also provide inspiration, demonstrating dozens of unique interior arrangements carefully curated by the team of interior designers. Those designers, all of whom bring years of experience in the furniture industry to Ambiente, share their expertise with customers to help them create the home of their dreams.

Buying furniture and designing a home is oftentimes intimidating and overwhelming, but at Ambiente Modern Furniture, it’s anything but. With supportive designers, an inspirational showroom, and furniture built to last, the homes Ambiente helps create are beautiful—and extremely comfortable.

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Faces of Enterprise

Todd Fowler

Jon Sarver

The Faces of

Community Investment ALFIE (Alternative Lending For Inspired Entrepreneurs) epitomizes the idea of a win-win: The firm provides commonsense financing to real estate entrepreneurs in the local community. ALFIE’s full spectrum of services for investors and entrepreneurs contributes to the economic growth of Western North Carolina.

ALFIE supplies loans across WNC in five main categories: rehab projects, speculative construction projects, multifamily housing, commercial property, and cash-out loans using real estate as equity. This allows potential borrowers who may not fit into the traditional bank model to pursue and execute their desired real estate goals.

For the firm’s hundreds of investors, their capital is diversified across hundreds of ALFIE’s local projects. This mitigates the risks and provides a predictable cash flow, with a dividend yield of over 7% produced in 2018.

ALFIE provides creative and quick financing solutions to real estate investors/developers and entrepreneurs. Committed to their borrowers’ success, ALFIE is helping to build sustainable local economies throughout WNC and upstate South Carolina.

It provides a convenient and simple platform for local real estate entrepreneurs and investors to connect and realize ongoing mutual benefits.

alfie 52

19 arlington st, asheville 28814 - 828.776.8632 - alfieloans.com | November 2019

The Faces of

Real Estate Development Most good business stories begin with misfortune turned opportunity; such was the case with L. B. Jackson & Co. When Ken Jackson lost his project management job in construction in 1985, he realized he would only accomplish his goals through his own business. Within the day, he had founded L. B. Jackson & Co. with a few credit cards and a rented office in a converted motel.

The business has come a long way since then, evolving through several phases of construction both commercial and residential.

In 2004 Jackson shifted the business’ strategy to focus on real estate development, and today L. B. Jackson & Co. works exclusively on its own development projects.

The company’s most popular projects are its condo and townhome communities. As the price of real estate continues to rise in the Asheville area, L. B. Jackson & Co. once again turns challenge into opportunity by developing its own residential communities where they can control costs and therefore build homes that are reasonably priced.

Jackson and his team, which includes a longtime CFO and secretary, part-time administrative assistant, and Jackson’s son and partner, Kevin, take pride in the knowledge that they are helping more and more members of our community achieve the American Dream of owning their own home.

l . b . jackson & co.

po box 1157, arden 28704 - 828.684.8800 - lbjandco.com

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Nonprofit MINI PROFILES Thirteen leaders of some of the area’s top nonprofits sat down with Capital at Play to discuss how their work is real business. written by jennifer fitzger ald

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As Capital at Play does each November, we once again point our lens at the nonprofit sector, unquestionably one of Western North Carolina’s core economic drivers. To date we have published four annual reports: “Nonprofit North Carolina: Metrics and Accountability in Philanthropy” (2015), “Nonprofits & Revenue Streams” (2016), “Nonprofits in Western North Carolina” (2017), and “The Joy of Giving” (2018). As with last year, in addition to our main 2019 nonprofit feature, we’re expanding this issue’s coverage to include mini-profiles of area nonprofits’ leaders, and we’re also submitting an extra story on community volunteerism.

The latter may prove particularly interesting to readers of the magazine because, just like we’ve observed in the past, these organizations continue to be operated by people and for people. It is worth noting that not only are the directors and staff of nonprofits typically motivated more by passion

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most photos by anthony harden

than by a paycheck, so too are those who volunteer their valuable time to nonprofits driven to do so by that same type of passion.

Some nonprofits may operate in the social welfare area, bringing crucial services to families and individuals at risk or in need; others may focus on externalities such as the environment and regional ecology; and still others engage with the arts and our culture at large. But the commonality is, as always, trying to effect change and bring about something positive to the larger community. So, while reading these two reports and the mini-profiles, if you find yourself nodding in agreement with a statement or a personal comment, consider supporting an organization (or organizations) yourself in some way, perhaps even getting directly involved. It is important for all citizens to recognize the importance of our area nonprofits to everyone’s lives. —The Editors

Thank You

Let’s Bring it Out of Retirement CUSTOM CARS & RESTORATIONS

to the nonprofits for working with us on these profiles

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Savannah Trantham & Kimberly Brewster p. 56

Custom Built ’53 Corvette

Asheville Community Yoga Center, Inc. Michael Greenfield p. 58

BeLoved Asheville

Ponkho Bermejo, Amy Cantrell, & Adrienne Sigmon p. 60

RESTORATIONS CUSTOM CREATIONS CUSTOM PAINT KIT CARS 828-693-8246 | www.bealandco.net | 5678 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Leah Craig Fieser p. 62

F.A.R.M. Café

Renee Boughman p. 64

My Daddy Taught Me That Keynon Lake p. 66

Read To Succeed Asheville/Buncombe Ann Flynn p. 68

Friends of WPVM, Inc. Davyne Dial & Dr. Herb Johnson p. 70

YMCA of Western North Carolina

Charlotte Street

Sweeten Creek

West Main Street Off Long Shoals Rd.

180 Charlotte Street 76 Sweeten Creek Rd. 120 West Main Street Asheville, NC 28801 Asheville, NC 28803 Brevard, NC 28712 828.785.1940 828.258.5385 828.884.2285

100 Julian Shoals Rd. Arden, NC 28704 828.585.2431

Paul Vest p. 72

mountainpaintasheville.com November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

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nonprofit fe ature

to the community. The Appalachian Wild Urgent Care facility opened on July 6, 2018.

Trantham is a native of Candler and graduated with a B.S. in biology, with a concentration in wildlife rehabilitation, from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. She worked in the animal department at the WNC Nature Center from May 2005 to December 2018, holding positions of animal naturalist up to assistant animal curator. She worked as a home-based wildlife rehabilitator licensed through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission from 2005 to the opening of the Appalachian Wild facility in July of 2018.

She is part of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge to make a difference for the native wildlife and to give back to the wildlife

“We are making a significant difference in lives of thousands of animals and people in our community every day.”

Savannah Trantham & Kimberly Brewster Co-Founders, Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

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H E Y E A R I S 2 014 A N D K I M B E R LY Brewster is at the first event to get Appalachian Wildlife Refuge going. Her co -founder of the organization, Savannah Trantham, came up to her just before the event started and placed a tiny orphaned squirrel in her hand. It was sleeping, and she could feel its heartbeat on her palm. Trantham simply said to her, “That is why we are doing this.”

Five years later, Brewster is still tearful every time she goes into the mammal room and sees baby squirrels receiving care—amazed at what a small group of dedicated people and a supportive community can make happen.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit that coordinates the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, support for the wildlife rehabilitation network, and conservation education 56

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and wild places when so much is being taken away or damage caused everyday by humans.

“Wildlife rehabilitation gives us the platform to be voices for individuals, species, populations, and habitats that may otherwise be overlooked,” Trantham says. “We help our native wildlife and, in return, create ripples that begin to benefit and shine positive light to wildlife in areas we never thought we would reach. We touch lives of not only wildlife, but people within our community and far beyond.”

Born in Charlotte, Brewster lived in New York, Atlanta, and Knoxville before making Western North Carolina her home in 2007. Her career was in insurance until she made a life -altering decision on 9/11 to follow her passion to help wildlife.

“On the morning of September 11, 2001,” recalls Brewster, “I was on a flight traveling for work as an insurance agent.

After landing in Dallas and a harrowing couple of days trying to get home, I had much time to think about and question what I was doing with my life. Upon my return, I left the world of insurance and dedicated myself to the service of wildlife and protecting their home. Since then, I have worked in nonprofit management at the Carolina Raptor Center, Catawba Lands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Lands Conservancy (now Conserving Carolina), and the Friends of the WNC Nature Center.

“Appalachian Wild was formed to help injured and orphaned wildlife—I am doing this so there is a place for them to go to alleviate their suffering and give them a second chance at life in the wild.”

As co-founders of the nonprofit, Trantham serves as director of operations, while Brewster serves as director of development and administration.

As a newly established organization, Brewster says they are in the growth phase and have to manage a heavy workload with a small but growing team of dedicated volunteers. She is constantly working on how to prioritize all that needs to be done for maximum efficiency and effectiveness with only two staff and a small group of volunteers.

For her part, Trantham says that wildlife rehabilitation may be the hardest job she has ever had, but with all of its ups and downs, it is definitely the most rewarding job she has ever had.

“However, with all the rewards and joy and releases, the reality is that we cannot save every animal that comes through our door. Every situation is different, and we are faced with many challenges every day. The days we lose patients or cannot help due to a variety of circumstances—it takes a heavy toll.

Though not attached to these wild animals like we are with our domestic pets, we still have a connection with them, and it never gets easier to say goodbye, especially when most times the situations could be prevented—the cases when injuries and sickness is directly related to a human-caused situation, something that was completely avoidable.

“It reminds us to reflect on what we are doing and what role we play. That we are making a significant difference in lives of thousands of animals and people in our community every day.

We are teaching people how to coexist with wildlife, how they can make a difference for wildlife. We cultivate a deeper appreciation for some of those species that are significantly misunderstood.”

Spare time is few and far between, but when not tending to injured and orphaned wildlife, Trantham is keeping up with a menagerie of pets and livestock on her family farm, where they raise rare and endangered breeds of long-wool sheep. She also is spending time with family. Brewster loves spending time with her furry child—a rescue dog named Mac. She does yoga and Mac joins her for daily meditation. She also spends time in classes, retreats, and volunteering at Heartwood Refuge in Hendersonville.

What advice would they give to younger versions of themselves?

“Pursue your passion and don’t get distracted from it by anything,” says Brewster.

“Don’t give up,” says Trantham. “All the ups and downs, long hours, and dedication will pay off. What you’re doing is making a difference and will grow beyond your wildest dreams.”

L E A R N M O R E AT: A P PA L AC H I A N W I L D.O R G MISSION Appalachian Wildlife Refuge coordinates the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina by providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, support for the wildlife rehabilitation network, and conservation education to the community.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $135,000

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY We have admitted more than 1,500 injured and orphaned native wild animals since January 1, 2019 from all over WNC.

H OW D O YO U G E T F U N D I N G ?

Donations from individuals, corporations, grants, and events.

T Y P E O F 5 01(C ) 501(c)(3)

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2014

S E RV I C E A R E A The Appalachian Wild Urgent Care facility is in Candler and serves all of Western North Carolina.

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES President: D Smith

Secretary & Interim Treasurer :

Carlton Burke

Sue Massi

Vice President: Andrew Stevenson

Laura LaFleur

Lisa Smith

Judith “Winslow” Umberger

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 57

nonprofit fe ature

class. Individuals are asked that they give what they can when they can. There are 125 weekly classes taught by almost 70 teachers. Built on the foundation of Karma Yoga (selfless service), all the teachers practice karma yoga by offering their time and talents completely for free. The Center strives to be a demonstration of what service is and encourages practitioners to take their yoga and somatic practices off the mat by offering monthly community service projects.

According to the website, Asheville Community Yoga has become a melting pot where people from different

The most rewarding part for Greenfield is seeing the beautiful smiles of students.

photo cour tesy of Asheville Community Yoga

Michael Greenfield

Executive Director, Asheville Community Yoga Center, Inc.

W

HAT ADVICE WOULD MICHAEL GREENFIELD give to a younger version of himself? “Take time every morning to reflect on the important things and beings in your life,” says the founder and Executive Director of Asheville Community Yoga Center, Inc. He is originally from Plantation, Florida, with an education from the University of Florida, while his background includes ownership of a furniture store, business consultant, and business investments.

He chooses to work for a nonprofit in order to serve others and started Asheville Community Yoga Center over nine years ago to support students with health and wellness. The Center offers donation-based yoga, Qigong, mindfulness-based programs, meditation, workshops, introductory immersions, teacher trainings, continuing education, yoga in Spanish, and yoga for seniors and children.

All classes, workshops, and events are free for those who cannot afford to pay. Classes operate completely on a donationbased model with a suggested love offering of $5 to $15 per 58

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socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and ages come together to practice: “We see students, seniors, servers, bartenders, public servants, doctors, attorneys, and accountants—among others—showing up and practicing next to each other.

Asheville Community Yoga is not simply a yoga center, but a comprehensive and tightly wedded community with a purpose.

The state-of-the-art center is equipped with everything needed for practice—mats, blocks, bolsters, straps. Upon first entering the center, many people comment on its beauty and describe their time here as a ‘haven’ and ‘mini-retreat.’”

Future plans for Asheville Community Yoga include outreach to local schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, yoga for veterans, low-cost childcare, healthy eating and cooking classes, and support groups. With the eventual incorporation of adjacent land and properties, Asheville Community Yoga will become a genuine campus including an institute for the healing arts. The center strives to be a demonstration of what service is and encourages its members to get involved in any way they can.

The most challenging part of Greenfield’s job is needing eight more hours in a day. In his spare time, he enjoys being in YOGA. The most influential person in his life is “Gandhi—because of his selfless service.”

The most rewarding part for Greenfield is seeing the beautiful smiles of students, whether they have just come out of class, finished a delicious meal at the Center’s cafe, left a healing session in peace, or even purchased clothing items at incredible value.

“Students coming in and saying we saved their life,” he adds firmly, of the rewards.

L E A R N M O R E AT: A S H E V I L L EC OM M U N I T Y YO G A .C OM

� Center for Craft MISSION Asheville Community Yoga is committed to making a healthy lifestyle accessible to people from all walks of life.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $550,000

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY Over 80,000

H OW D O YO U G E T FUNDING?

Public Grand Reope

Student donations and healthoriented foundations.

T Y PE O F 5 01(C ) 501(c)(3) nonprofit donation-based center

Y E A R N O N PRO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2011

LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS WITH TITLES President: Michael Murphy Secretary: Mitch Orland

Join us for a future-themed celebration marking the culmination of our building renovation at 67 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville.

•

Amber Acheson Sonya Costello

Supported Supported in in part part by

by UNC UNC Asheville.

Asheville.

Michael Greenfield (non-voting) Chris Lechner

INTRODUCING INTRODUCING at at Center Center for for Craft Craft

The The Center Center for for Craft.

Craft. aa 50l(c)(3) 50l(c)(3) nonprofit. nonprofit. is is made made possible possible by by the the generous generous support support of of people people like like you. you. For For more more information information on on ways ways that that you you can can help help build build aa bright bright future future for for craft craft and and makers makers across across the the country, country, visit visit centerforcraft.org/support centerforcraft.org/support

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 59

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said, ‘What are we going to do about this?’ That was a turning point. Soon after that, people began saying, ‘We need to know what to do for each other in a medical crisis because often we are far away from the hospital and don’t even have a phone.’

Out of that conversation, we formed the first-in-the-nation homeless/formerly homeless Street Medic Team.”

“Angel has been there since day one,” says Sigmon. “He has never missed a training, an outreach in the snow, or a health fair held in our city parks. He requests off work every Tuesday and Wednesday to be involved with his medic team and introduces himself in meetings as a Street Medic. Angel is now our lead medic and was also appointed to the city’s Homeless Initiative

“The most powerful thing you can do with your life is love people.”

Ponkho Bermejo, Amy Cantrell, & Adrienne Sigmon Co-Directors, BeLoved Asheville

P

ON K HO BER MEJO, A DR IEN N E SIGMON, A N D Amy Cantrell, co-directors of BeLoved Asheville, have countless examples of how their organization impacts those in need. One example is a friend named Angel.

“He walked through our doors four years ago with his head down, tears in his eyes, a backpack full of his belongings, and was covered in sadness,” says Sigmon. “We began to talk with Angel and hear his story. Angel began coming to our Homeless Voice meeting every week as we talked about issues on the streets and in our city.”

In October 2016 Janet Jones froze to death in her sleeping bag on the river in Asheville.

“We were heartbroken,” says Cantrell. “We held a public funeral for her, but we didn’t stop there. We sat in a circle in with our community (many of whom were homeless) and we 60

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Advisory Committee. Angel came to us after losing his business, house, kids, and marriage of 17 years. He was at the bottom. One of my best memories of BeLoved is the first time I saw Angel smile, stand tall, and say, ‘I’m Angel, and I’m a Street Medic!’”

BeLoved set out to study the housing crisis in Asheville and why there was a gap in what they call “deeply affordable housing.” After a year of study, they launched the BeLoved Village project to build a pilot village of deeply affordable homes at 30% area median income that are sustainable, communityoriented, and produce equity for the residents. They will soon break ground on their first home.

Cantrell founded BeLoved in 2009 to fill a void, believing that community is the key to everything. BeLoved was created to focus on community building—bringing people together from all walks of life to connect and care for one another.

“The way we go about our work is from the bottom up, working in mutuality with people directly impacted by struggles to create innovative solutions,” says Cantrell. “NC State University conducted a study recently asking North Carolinians about the number one struggle. The result: Disconnection is the #1 struggle of North Carolinians. It confirms what we were on to over a decade ago—that we need each other, and that out of those connections, sweeping changes can take place.”

Cantrell is from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary. Her previous work experience includes: community organizer, Just Economics WNC; adjunct professor critical thinking, Asheville-Buncombe Tech Community College; and director of the Volunteer Center, United Way Asheville and Buncombe County Sigmon is originally from Hickory, living now in Asheville for 10 years. She is a graduate of UNC-Asheville with a degree in anthropology and has been with BeLoved Asheville since her senior year in college.

“Nonprofit ‘work’ is about the people,” Sigmon says. “My heart has always been in the field of seeing people where they are and working with folks who are struggling. I come from for-profit work and was lacking a sense of connection. BeLoved is not a generic, institutional, boxed-in organization. We work with and for everyone. We cross boundaries and fill in gaps where needed. We work collaboratively together as a team and don’t operate from a top-down authoritarian model. We are family.”

Bermejo was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico. His parents grew up on a ranch with a rich history and indigenous culture.

“I have lived in this country for 11 years and in Asheville for seven years,” he says. “The majority of my education has been out of school, so I have decided to learn what I am passionate about. My previous work positions have varied from working in art, construction, restaurants, and manufacturing. It is rewarding to see all of the progress we are making together. I want to be a person who inspires and who is inspired by people here who want the best for the community. The ripple effect is incredible when you share resources and you see that the others begin to share.”

Bermejo’s family has been his greatest influence, inspiration, and motivation.

“My mother, from the time I was very little, taught me the power of sharing. She helped me to see my privileges and know how to share them to help others around me. My father taught me to have goals and work hard for them. He taught me the power of a good conversation as a way to connect deeply with people. My brothers have shown me that you should always be ready to be a teacher and also be ready to be a student. And I know that these lessons were transmitted by my grandparents and their grandparents.”

For her part, Sigmon has several people who have influenced her in many different ways. One is Dr. Heidi Kelley from UNCAsheville.

“I remember my first day of her anthropology class. She introduced herself through telling the story of the moment she fell from the bed and onto the ground as she was suffering from a stroke that would change her life forever. Her dedication, loyalty, and passion changed my life forever.”

And Cantrell notes that she was blessed with some incredible mentors in her life that have led her to be the person she is today.

“I have to name women who I have never met but who changed me deeply—Harriet Tubman, Delores Huerta, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dorothy Day. My early mentors who taught me

important lessons about life and myself—Susie Smith, Cindy Bea Edwards, and Paula Larke. And I credit a man named Catman who I met on the steps of a locked church in New York City with changing the trajectory of my entire life.”

“The most powerful thing you can do with your life is love people and create justice and love in the world,” says Cantrell.

“This world often focuses on money, power, possessions, and fame. Don’t be afraid to let go of things that will keep you from your true path. Life is truly about your relationships and the ways you can change the world by using your gifts for good.”

L E A R N M O R E AT: B E LOV E DA S H E V I L L E .C OM MISSION To cultivate a transformational way of life rooted in creativity, community, and equity. We bring people from all walks of life together to create innovative solutions to some of our toughest challenges: homelessness, poverty, and racism. Projects include our Free Farmers Markets for elders, homeless/formerly homeless Street Medic Team, BeLoved Village of deeply affordable homes, Latinx cultural organizing (including the Neighborhood Fiesta Project and Proud to Be Brown youth initiative), Rise Up Art and Music Studio, and downtown community center featuring documentary screenings, art exhibits, and cultural celebrations.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $90,000

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY Over 10,000

H OW D O YO U G E T F U N D I N G ?

Mostly individual donors, community businesses, community groups, and faith communities, along with a handful of grants.

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2009

S E RV I C E A R E A Asheville, BeLoved Mexico

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES Chair: Michelle Capell

Secretary : Jodi Rhoden

Faith Rhyne

Lucia Daugherty

Vice-chair: Valaria Carrizo Wyda

Crissy Stewart

Keaton Hill

Nancee Neel

Stephen Wiseman

Matt Stradley November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 61

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Fieser’s love for animals led her to North Carolina State University, studying to be a veterinarian “simply because it was the career path that had been suggested to me each time I mentioned that I wanted to help animals. Turns out, I’m not cut out for intense science and math classes!”

A family trip to an animal sanctuary opened her eyes to another world of animal rescue—the operations side of an organization. She talked to the staff there and learned how much of a need there was for business-minded people in the animal rescue world.

“When I arrived back at N.C. State, I changed my focus to nonprofit studies, communications, and animal science.

As I dove deeper into the world of nonprofit management, fundraising, public relations, marketing, and operations, I knew

“I love this work, and I especially love the people I get to do it with.”

Leah Craig Fieser Executive Director, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

L

E A H CR A IG FIE SER H A S A LWAYS K NOW N she wanted to help animals. She recalls how her family was one of those families who would take a sudden detour off the highway to save a stray dog. When in middle school, Leah Craig (a first name consisting of a Southern double name) found herself coaxed by her mother to donate 10 percent of her allowance to charity. It was no surprise that she chose to give to animal rescue organizations.

In her first year in the position of Executive Director of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (she previously worked for Brother Wolf from 2015-2017), Fieser remembers back to those donations she made to animal rescue organizations as a young girl and the mail that flooded in from each organization.

“I read every single donation letter that came my way,” she says. “I thought that’s what everyone did. Some of them were pretty heavy reading for a middle schooler, but they opened my eyes to the injustices that animals faced across our country, and I knew then that I would commit my life to helping them.”

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I had found the right fit. I couldn’t get enough, and to this day, I still read books and articles about the nonprofit sector and attend continuing education workshops and conferences. I dig in wherever I can because this passion has only continued to grow.”

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, located in Asheville and serving that area, was founded in 2007 to provide the resources and life-saving programs to build No-Kill communities.

Fieser says the most challenging part of her job is wearing many hats. “There is never enough time in the day—said everyone in every nonprofit ever, but it’s true.”

The most rewarding part is seeing employees celebrate the good that they are able to bring about for the animals they care so much about.

“I love this work, and I especially love the people I get to do it with. Nonprofit professionals are passionate, committed, and the toughest and hardest working people you’ll ever meet.

And nonprofit supporters, those who dig in and become part of the heart and soul of an organization by giving their time and resources, are exactly the same. Sharing a vision of hope for a better future instantly bonds us together, and I couldn’t be doing it with a better group of people. Even though this work is hard, it feels exhilarating because we’re working together to make real change—change that saves lives.

“I’ve had a number of people say, ‘I would never be able to do that work. It’s too sad.’ And I can see where they are coming from. Can this work be sad and heartbreaking? Absolutely. But do the triumphs and miraculous transformations far outweigh that? Absolutely! I understand that it can be tough to see a dog or cat who is living in a shelter instead of the home they deserve.

But I invite you to come here, meet them, and remember that

because of the work our community has done together, these animals have been saved. They are the lucky ones.

“I promise that if you just stay here a bit, you’ll also see the most joyous things.

You’ll see volunteers who come multiple times a week to take our dogs hiking in the mountains. You’ll see a family choose to adopt a pair of senior cats who our adoption coordinators have worked hard to keep together. You’ll see our dedicated team members work with challenging dogs who someone else might have given up on. You’ll see a foster parent swoop in to take a mother and her newborn kittens home to a quiet room that has been set up just for them. You’ll meet animals who lived for years in hoarding situations, or at the end of a chain—and you’ll see big goofy smiles on their faces now that they are safe and loved. Brother Wolf changed the course of their lives forever. We did this together.”

In her down time, you can find Fieser relaxing with friends at Battery Park Book Exchange with a glass of Rosé in her hand or hiking the mountain trails with her beloved dog. She credits her mother for being the most influential person in her life because she taught her to work hard, believe in herself, and to understand that some things are out of her control.

“Be kind to yourself,” says Fieser. “When you focus on the good, the good gets better.”

L E A R N M O R E AT: BWA R .O R G

MISSION To provide the resources and lifesaving programs to build No-Kill communities.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $3,000,000

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY Through adoption and pet retention programs, extensive volunteer and foster networks, a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program for community cats, a northern shelter animal transport program, and a low-cost mobile spay/neuter clinic, Brother Wolf positively impacts the lives of over 8,000 animals each year.

A trusted partner in philanthropy since 1978. www.cfwnc.org

H OW D O YO U G E T FUNDING? Most all of our funding comes from donations we receive from individuals in our community. We absolutely could not do this work without the support of our community!

T Y P E O F 5 01(C )

501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2007

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES President: Dustin Rhodes

Derick Boyd

Tammie Whitlock

Treasurer: Elise Lewis

Ryan Coffield

Evan Parker

Secretary : Maggie Brown

Jay Carter

Top: Roan Highlands, Mitchell County; photo: Travis Bordley Middle: Homework Diner, United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County Bottom: Trash Boom, Asheville GreenWorks November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 63

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Staggering statistics show that nearly 22% of Watauga County (home county of the F.A.R.M. Café) residents live at or below poverty level, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. In Northwest North Carolina, one in six people do not know where their next meal is coming from (one in four for children below the age of 18); 20% of people live below the poverty level; and 35% of people below the poverty level do not qualify for government assistance (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). F.A.R.M. Café strives to serve and assistance the individuals behind these stats with a welcoming community and a meal.

“I have seen amazing individuals who join us to volunteer while struggling with their own disabilities and daily challenges.” photo cour tesy of F. A.R . M. Café

Renee Boughman Executive Director/Chef, F.A.R.M. Café

R

E N EE BOUGH M A N CHO SE H ER WOR K A S Executive Director and Chef of Boone’s F.A.R.M. Café restaurant because it is fulfilling, challenging, lifeaffirming, and, as she puts it, “a spiritual journey.” It allows her to participate in something that feels like she is serving a larger, inclusive purpose.

“F.A.R.M. Café has been the best fit for me,” explains Boughman, “because it allows me to work with those in need while doing something I truly enjoy—cooking! Meeting people over a prepared meal in a restaurant setting is a rewarding experience because it automatically breaks down some of the usual barriers that poverty and status can artificially create.”

Located in Boone, F.A.R.M. Café (an acronym for “Feed All Regardless of Means”) is a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can community kitchen that builds a healthy and inclusive community. They provide high-quality and delicious meals produced from local sources when available, and served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means.

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Boughman grew up in Belmont and moved to Boone in 1982 to pursue a master’s degree in history. She attended Gardner-Webb College as an undergraduate and attended A-B Tech Community College in Asheville in the early 1990’s for a degree in culinary arts. She taught basic introduction history courses at Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College while also working in restaurants, including several fine dining establishments—Westglow Spa & Resort, The Best Cellar Restaurant, Coffey’s, The Greenery, and Hound Ears Country Club—before joining the starting team of F.A.R.M. Café.

The most challenging part of her job is also the most rewarding—working with daily volunteers. The challenge is the constant repetitive tasks of providing the necessary information to work properly in a restaurant environment. As a fully inspected facility, they have to maintain sanitation standards and properly prepare and serve the food, as well as make sure the food is presented with care and the best quality possible.

“We understand that if the food is not good, no one is going to continue to come to your Café even if they believe in your mission,” says Boughman.

“I have met folks I would never have encountered in any other work I previously did. I have had to face my own prejudices and misconceptions about those who are homeless, struggling with poverty, and facing the daily grind of mental illness. It has truly opened my eyes and my heart to see that we are much more similar than we are different and just trying to do the best we can as we journey through this thing called life.

“I have seen amazing individuals who join us to volunteer while struggling with their own disabilities and daily challenges.

For example, we have Bruce, who is in pain daily due to a debilitating accident that left him with limited use of his entire

left side. He walks with a cane, has to often wear a brace, experiences nerve pain in his face in cold weather, and still shows up to help us set up the dining room, help us supervise college students who are also volunteering, and show us through his own will and determination what it means to value life every day.”

In her spare time, Boughman enjoys spending time with friends, golf, sports viewing in general, movies, and definitely checking out the breweries. She is influenced most in her life in the context of her nonprofit journey by Brad and Libby Birky, who started S.A.M.E. Café in Denver, Colorado, in 2006 and have been mentors for F.A.R.M. Café from the beginning.

“They have counseled me personally and professionally on many occasions when I wondered how to make this ‘pay as you can’ radical model work.”

Boughman would tell a younger version of herself to start this type of work earlier; because if she has any regrets, it is that she came to this amazing model late in her career.

“It is such a huge part of my life that I know how much I will miss it when I walk away.”

L E A R N M O R E AT: FAR MC AFE .ORG

MISSION To build a healthy and inclusive community by providing high-quality and delicious meals produced from local sources, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $281,150

H OW D O YO U GET FUNDING? We accept daily donations for our meals in the Café and we receive approximately 35% of our budget from grants and fundraising events throughout the year.

T Y P E O F 5 01(C ) 501(c)(3)

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY 18,000 in the Café and an additional 30,000 through outreach programs.

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2012

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES President: Jill Reese

Susan Sage

Jacqui Ignatova

Vice President: Tom Shessler

Laurel Elam

Tiffany Christian

Treasurer: Carol Coulter

Bruce Steinberg

Audra Vaz

Secretary : Beth Davidson

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 65

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the Million Man March in D.C.; touring colleges and visiting music and cultural festivals; education, which includes weekly tutoring sessions; and career training—building interview skills, resume building, work ethic development, and money management.

Lake notes that the most challenging part of this work is dealing with outside issues such as disparities and systematic structures that hinder and break down everything he is trying to accomplish with My Daddy Taught Me That. The most rewarding? To see the transformation and growth of the youth that he works with.

“When positive male role models are not prevalent in the home, or in the lives of the youth, it causes a lasting effect.”

Keynon Lake

CEO/Founder, My Daddy Taught Me That

K

EY NON LAK E FOU NDED MY DADDY TAUGHT Me That to “assist in developing young males into righteous, respectable, and responsible men through empowerment, education, and support.” He feels like he was led to do nonprofit work and that this nonprofit was also led for him to create. “I saw a need and from there it has morphed into a way of life,” says Lake.

My Daddy Taught Me That provides mentoring programs for middle and high school youth in the Asheville area. (It is based out of the Asheville Mall.) The program forms partnerships with local schools, low income housing developments, the juvenile court system, churches (and other faith groups), social service agencies, and many more to foster a commitment to adolescent male youths that promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, good decision-making, acceptance of responsibility, and accountability for their actions.

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The nonprofit was inspired by Bennie Lake, Keynon’s father, who was a professional basketball player with the Harlem Globetrotters from 1968 to 1972, and who dedicated his life to work with youth. Keynon followed in his footsteps and played for both the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and North Carolina Central University, later playing professionally overseas.

After his father passed away in 2010, Keynon began writing a tribute to him, which grew into a book—My Father Taught Me That. Keynon wanted every youth and young male to have the experience of knowing what real men do—leading by example, taking care of their families, and becoming community leaders.

“I saw this strange, crazy pattern of no men in the home,” recalls Keynon. “When positive male role models are not prevalent in the home, or in the lives of the youth, it causes a lasting effect. And there are also many systematic structures intentionally put in place to target and derail our youth. I felt like creating a program that would concentrate on mentoring, education, job skills, creating self-hope, building confidence, and exposing our youth to mindset-changing events and activities that would break the cycles and obstacles they face in their day-to-day lives.”

The dream is that every youth and young male can become positive, productive men in the community, while knowing from example what it means to be a man: “What we do differently in our program than other youth mentoring is dedicating the time and exposure for our youth. Building real organic relationships with youth is key. Teenagers have a tendency to see through all the phony/fake falsehoods and see you for what you are.”

This program meets a minimum of twice a week, in addition to occasional weekend events. The target age group is ages 12

to 19; however, all young males are welcomed, older or a little younger. There is also a sister program, My Sistah Taught Me That, working with young women.

Additionally working two full-time jobs, Keynon doesn’t find himself with much in the way of spare time, as he is a social worker, published author, and a public speaker. “We know that this program works and is changing the youth who attend,” he says. “We want to be the organization who leads the country in how to change, teach, train, heal, and advocate for our youth everywhere. To truly give the phrase, ‘I believe the children are our future,’ true meaning.”

LE ARN MORE AT: MYDADDY TAUGHTMETHAT.ORG MISSION To foster the development of boys to become healthy, honorable men.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $200K per year with no paid positions.

This is all programmatic.

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY 70 youth are served in My Daddy Taught Me That; 75 are served in My Sistah Taught Me That; 30 are served in My Daddy Taught Me That Junior—40 youth are served at Asheville Middle School as there is an MDTMT/MSTMT program within the school.

H OW D O YO U G E T F U N D I N G ?

About 75% of the funding comes from a couple of private donors.

T Y PE O F 5 01(C ) Nonprofit

Y E A R N O N PRO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? Program was established in 2012; nonprofit was founded in 2014.

LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS WITH TITLES Ashley Cooper

Robby Russell

Stephen Smith

Anne McDonna

Kristin Wilson

Leslie Lake

Dr. Darin Waters

Keynon Lake

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degree in management from the UNC-Asheville, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and drawing.

Flynn chooses to work for Read To Succeed because of the stated mission of the nonprofit (to “inspire and teach children to read”), saying, “Reading is critical to not just academic success, but life success. Reading is at the very core of being able to explore and understand the world around us.”

Created in 2009 through the collaboration of community activists and the Asheville Housing Authority, Read To Succeed Asheville/Buncombe aimed to increase the number

“Reading is critical to not just academic success, but life success. Reading is at the very core of being able to explore and understand the world around us.”

Ann Flynn

Executive Director, Read To Succeed Asheville/Buncombe

A

NN FLY NN SHAR ES THE R EASON THAT SHE works for a nonprofit: Most businesses are in business to make money, while most nonprofits exist to benefit the public in some specific way, such as delivering food to the homebound elderly, advocating for children, protecting the environment, etc.

“Being the executive director of a nonprofit is the best of the two worlds combined,” she says. “I like knowing that I am doing work that benefits our community and, at the same time, I am working with budgets, finance, fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, human resources, and communications.”

Flynn has served as the Executive Director for Read To Succeed Asheville/Buncombe (R2S) for almost two years. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director for Meals on Wheels of Asheville Buncombe; Chief Executive Officer for WNC Child Advocacy Center (now the Mountain Child Advocacy Center); Executive Director of The Mediation Center; and Assistant Director of Helpmate. She is a native of Marshall and has a 68

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of elementary school children who are reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Data indicated that for some groups of Asheville children, only 25% to 40% were at reading level by the third grade, making them more likely to drop out of school and risk the life-long impact of illiteracy.

The first Read To Succeed project was established at Ira B. Jones Elementary School in the spring of 2010, and then at Claxton Elementary in the spring of 2011. By 2015, Read To Succeed volunteers were tutoring students in all of Asheville City Schools’ elementary schools, and in 2016 the program launched in the Buncombe County School District. The schools provide tutoring space and project support; literacy specialists, teachers, and principals work closely with R2S to ensure the best possible matches between R2S volunteers and students.

R2S emphasizes phonics, which creates the foundational structure for children to acquire skills necessary to read and write proficiently. With phonics, children learn the sounds of individual English letters, followed by the sounds of letter combinations, and, finally, how to combine sounds to form syllables—syllables, of course, combine to form words, and words into sentences. Research shows that “when provided systematically, phonics instruction helps many children learn to read more effectively than does non-systematic instruction or instruction without phonics.”

F ​ lynn finds fundraising to be the most challenging part of her job—but the most rewarding part is knowing that R2S volunteer reading tutors are teaching students in our community vital reading skills, which they will use for a lifetime of learning.

Don’t stop now LE ARN MORE AT: R 2SASHEVIL LE .ORG MISSION Read To Succeed Asheville/Buncombe inspires and teaches children to read.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $216,000

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY R2S served 221 city/county K through 3rd grade students last year.

Having come this far, you’re standing at the gap of uncertainty. You need more than a controller Crossing the divide is easier than you think. At Kaplan CFO we do it every day. As part of your management team, we create the processes,

H OW D O YO U G E T FUNDING? Donors, foundations, Asheville Strategic Partnership Grant, Buncombe County strategic Partnership grant, United Way, and businesses.

Mark Majewski

but can’t afford a full-time CFO — not yet.

Kaplan CFO Partner

mark.majewski@kaplancfo.com 847-702-3155 www.kaplancfo.com

resources and financial stability you’ll need on the other side. Let’s go.

T Y PE O F 5 01(C ) 501(c)3

Y E A R N O N PRO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2010

LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS WITH TITLES President: Pat Bastian

Ile Adaramola

Vice-President: Charlie Schieren

Barbara Cary

Tiece Ruffin

Treasurer: Rick Hebert

Alice Oglesby

Secretary: Diane Amos

Mary Jean Herzog

Rich McConnell Robert Butler

Bobbie Short (on temporary leave of absence)

We help y ou After all, tell your life’s sto each of u r s is the su y. of our exp m e cherished riences. Our mo st m downs, o oments, our ups a ur roots a nd n Share you r long-las d journey. ting lega with your c descenda family, friends, an y nts. Gettin d g yo u r s onto th specialty, e written page is tor y our an look for w d our narration ex ard to talk p ing with y erts ou.

scribian.c

om

A PORTAL YOUR LEG TO ACY November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 69

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running, being a ‘mother hen’ to the signal, either correcting any technical issues or getting the proper person to come to the station if it’s something over my head, training volunteers to use the broadcast equipment, and continually monitoring the programming to ensure we are fulfilling our mission.”

W PV M’s mission is “to foster community through programming that cultivates dialogue to inform and entertain.” Dedicated to bringing Asheville’s culture and music to the world, the station provides the medium for artists, businesses, community leaders, and nonprofits to share their voice on live radio.

Johnson—known to most as “Dr. Herb”—says the most challenging part of his job is to keep his eye on the prize of the

“Be honest, be consistent, and don’t ever let your fear stop you from trying new challenges.” photo by Evan Anderson

Davyne Dial & Dr. Herb Johnson President & Treasurer, Friends of WPVM, Inc.

W

HEN THE HUSBAND-WIFE TEAM OF DAVYNE Dial and Dr. Herb Johnson heard the license for noncommercial Asheville radio station WPVM-FM 103.7 was on the verge of being returned to the FCC, they met with the board of the Mountain Information Area Network (MAIN) and asked to be considered to have the license transferred instead of returning it to the FCC. The station had been officially silent from 2011 to late 2014.

The MAIN board voted to approve transfer proceedings— but then the transfer of ownership had to be approved by the FCC. And this would require the establishment of a nonprofit organization.

“Thus began a huge learning curve on how to best run a community radio station,” says Dial. “I learn something new about this every day. I am [also] the general manager and my duties include managing the technical equipment that keeps the station 70

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mission they want to accomplish, which is to create the best radio station in Asheville, and not get sidelined by unimportant details or distractions.

Dial says the most rewarding is seeing the benefit to the community of informative and entertaining programming.

“We are able to give local musicians an art/culture airtime and video to social media to raise awareness of their show, fundraising event, CD release, or concert. We also broadcast regular shows that inform veterans of services and organizations to support them in the difficult transition back to civilian life from a war zone. We also air a monthly show for Goodwill that informs the community of the many programs that organization does for the community.”

Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Dial attended the University of Maryland European Branch and Loyola, New Orleans, as a literature major. She decided in 1981 to make a living out of her own artistic ability and began designing art-to-wear accessories.

“I opened a shop in the French Quarter in New Orleans and sold my work and the work of other New Orleans artisans. In 1989 I moved to Asheville to buy a house and knew I could wholesale my designs and live in a beautiful area of the world.

I marketed my work at wearable art shows and wholesaled my designs to specialty bridal shops, boutiques, and mail-order catalogs. I obtained new clients by exhibiting at the Atlanta and NYC wholesale markets. I retired in 2008, but continue the website for students looking for couture level millinery instruction and embellishments.”

Johnson, meanwhile, was born in Chicago. Both his showbiz and artistic appreciation genes came from his father—a former

jazz musician during the golden years of the big band era who played with the famous Paul Whiteman and Phil Spitalny orchestras in the 1920s and ‘30s, then opened and ran a fine arts gallery on Michigan Avenue in the 1940s.

“As a child,” Johnson remembers, “I loved school, and for higher education attended Dartmouth College for pre-med in New Hampshire and later attended both the University of Chicago and Loyola of Chicago, [then] achieved my medical degree at Northwestern in 1960. After an internship at San Francisco County Hospital, I enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served as district medical officer for New England.

“Following my discharge, I opened a store-front general practice office in Watertown, Massachusetts. I delivered babies on house calls, saw up to 50 people per day in my walk-in clinic, and I often worked without traditional pay, but was paid with vegetables or chicken eggs. After 12 years of this intense work I needed to rest, so I re-enlisted in the Coast Guard, moving from active reserve to active duty. I was the ship’s physician on the U.S. Coast Guard training ship the Barque Eagle and also served at the Coast Guard Academy Hospital in New London, Connecticut. I had vast and wondrous experiences in my medical career due to my private practice and my service in the Coast Guard clinic and on the Eagle.

“I chose general practice so I could satisfy my desire to treat and help people’s conditions or their suffering. I just didn’t want to be restricted on one specific area of specialty. My medical career ended in 1982 when I was handicapped due to encephalitis. I was retired from the Coast Guard on full disability. After spending seven years rehabilitating myself from my devastating brain damage in the backwoods of the New Hampshire mountains, I was well enough to move south to Asheville, to be nearer to a VA hospital. Shortly after moving here I met my future wife.

“When the opportunity arrived for adopting the responsibility of WPVM, I did not hesitate, as it fit with my lifelong leitmotif of philanthropic giving and support. I am honored and humbled to be able to bring this valuable asset to the Asheville community.”

Johnson says he most influential person in his life is his wife, Davyne, whose honesty, idealism and brilliance inspired him to join in this important community effort. Davyne mirrors this saying her Johnson is the most supportive and compassionate and generous person she has ever met.

“Without him I would never have endeavored to do what I am able to do for the station,” says Dial. “I am the technical

and hands-on person. He is our main patron as we continue to build listeners to the point where we can begin to ask for financial support from the Asheville listening community and move the station to self-sustaining mode.”

What advice would they give to younger versions of themselves?

“Advice to a younger me would be to take it easier, have more faith in yourself, and give more energy to thoughts, instead of rushing ahead impetuously into unknown territories,” says Johnson.

“Be honest, be consistent, and don’t ever let your fear stop you from trying new challenges,” says Dial. “I’ve done that since my early 40s, and if I could talk to teenage Davyne, I’d tell her to make these principles paramount—because doing so teaches you so much.”

L E A R N M O R E AT: W P VM .O R G MISSION To enrich the culture and critical thinking of our community through quality programming and to be a partner with nonprofits, community organizations, and endeavors for the betterment Asheville.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $35,000 - $40,000. We purposefully keep a low overhead so we are freer to bring sometimes controversial programming.

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY Between 4,000 and 5,000 local listeners. We stream globally so we have over 800 active users, according to Google analytics.

H OW D O YO U G E T F U N D I N G ?

Grants and underwriters—plus, we [Johnson and Dial] are committed to financially sustaining the station until it’s able to be self-supporting.

T Y P E O F 5 01(C ) 501(c)(3)

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? 2014

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES President: Davyne Dial

Secretary: Blaine Greenfield

Vice President: James Navé

Treasurer : Herbert Johnson

Cornelia Powell

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nonprofit fe ature

Vest chooses to work for a nonprofit because of the focus on the community and its needs. He feels that nonprofits are critical human service agencies and vital to the health of a community and cites the deep history of the YMCA in our region as one of the reasons he chooses to work there—it was founded locally in 1889 and it has always grown to meet community needs.

“We’re very fortunate to be part of a national organization with amazing resources we can tap into to scale our services, but at its heart the Y is driven by local staff, volunteers, and donors. When I joined the Asheville-Buncombe YMCA, it had two facilities, the downtown Asheville YMCA and the YMCA Youth Services Center on Beaverdam Road in North

Paul Vest

President & CEO, YMCA of Western North Carolina

P

AUL VEST, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF YMCA OF Western North Carolina, was raised in a YMCA family.

He was born in Long Beach, California, and lived in Washington state, New Jersey, and Georgia. After high school he attended Young Harris College for two years, then transferred to the University of Georgia.

“My major was recreation management with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation,” he recalls. “After graduation I worked at Highland Hospital in Asheville as a recreational therapist in the drug and alcohol rehab program for two years. That experience helped me decide to move from the treatment side into prevention. I went to work for the YMCA in Torrington, Connecticut, where I worked in teen programming and managed a residence hall. After five years I transferred to the YMCA of South Hampton Roads in Virginia as a branch executive and eventually became a district vice president. In 1996 I accepted the CEO role at what was then the AshevilleBuncombe County YMCA.” 72

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“As we look to the future, we’re excited about the incredible opportunity to transform the health and well-being of children, families, adults, and seniors throughout our region.”

Asheville. Our Board of Directors had the vision to grow our capacity and diversity of service and a willingness to look at new opportunities.

“There was a real desire to expand services into outlying areas that weren’t being served by the downtown Y. Local volunteers prioritize what programs and services we offer, and their passion has motivated us to do more community health and youth services work. In addition to adding seven more YMCA facilities since 1996, we’ve also opened YMCA Camp Watia in Bryson City, developed population health programs to improve social determinants of health, and become the state’s largest provider of licensed after-school childcare. (They runs more than 30 after-school childcare sites in public schools in Buncombe, Henderson, and McDowell counties.) As we look to the future, we’re excited about the incredible opportunity to transform the health and well-being of children, families, adults, and seniors throughout our region.”

Matching resources—financial, staff, and facility—to opportunities that present themselves is the most challenging part of Vest’s job: staying focused on the things they do well so they can have the greatest impact. Creating a vision that brings donors, volunteers, and staff to a place of change and impact to improve the community is the most rewarding part.

“I remember receiving a letter when we were fundraising for what became the Reuter Family YMCA in Biltmore Park.

A gentleman sent $2.35 in cash in an envelope with a note that said he wished he could do more, but he just wanted to be part of the effort. I’m especially moved by the impact the Y has on children and families. For instance, YMCA Camp Watia makes it possible for kids from all walks of life to experience the benefits of overnight camp. It’s more than just putting away their electronics and connecting with nature and new friends.

We also serve children in partner programs who come to us with very little ‘stuff.’ They have a real emptiness in their lives, and camp makes them feel whole. That’s what warms my heart the most.”

In his spare time, Vest loves spending time with his family, especially his wife, Vicki, two sons and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. He also enjoys golf, fly fishing, mountain biking, and University of Georgia football.

His wife and sons have personally been the most influential people in his life. His parents were also influential, with his dad serving 35-40 years in the Y. He claims it’s part of his DNA. Professionally, he has been greatly influenced by the board chairs and board members he has had the honor of serving with over the years: “They have been key to the success of the Y in our community. I’m also inspired by donors who have made a real sacrifice to fund the work and growth of the Y. All of them have encouraged and helped me to dream big, engage others, and think strategically.”

What advice would he give to a younger version of himself?

“At one point I remember thinking, ‘I never want to be a CEO.’ Now I would say, ‘Don’t limit yourself to what you think you want to do. Build the best possible staff and volunteer team you can.’”

L E A R N M O R E AT: YM C AW N C .O R G

MISSION To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

A N N UA L B U D G E T $29 million

N U M B E R S E RV E D A N N UA L LY More than 100,000

H OW D O YO U G E T F U N D I N G ?

Membership dues, program participant fees, grants, and charitable donations.

T Y P E O F 5 01(C ) Charitable organization

Y E A R N O N P RO F I T WA S F O U N D E D? Western North Carolina’s first YMCA started in Asheville in 1889.

S E RV I C E A R E A Headquarters in Asheville. We include Asheville YMCA, Black Mountain YMCA, Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion, Ferguson Family YMCA in Candler, Hendersonville Family YMCA, Reuter Family YMCA in South Asheville, Woodfin YMCA, and YMCA at Mission Pardee Health Campus in Fletcher, as well as the YMCA Youth Services Center at Beaverdam in North Asheville and YMCA Camp Watia in Bryson City.

LIST OF BOA R D MEMBER S W ITH TIT LES Past Chair: Charles Frederick

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Tony Baldwin

Bryan Kerns

Chair: Tracy Buchanan

Development: Joe Brumit

John Bryant

Bill Newman

Facilities Visioning:

Laura Dover

Robby Russell

Brian Walker

Tate Groome

Susan Shanor

Finance: John Pierce

Kathy Guyette

Darin Waters

Governance: Rick Lutovsky

Ben Hamrick

Steve White

Population Health: Meg Ragland

Bill Hathaway

Vice Chair: Joe Brumit Treasurer: John Pierce Secretary: Caroline McLean

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 73

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THIS PAGE (L to R) BACK ROW: Jonathan Hunter, Damian Hall, Laura Livaudais FRONT ROW: Stacey Klimchuk, Cathy Diepholz

The Faces of

Ivester Jackson Blackstream At first glance, Ivester Jackson Blackstream Christie’s is a wealth of contradictions: deeply local and internationally adept, adaptively modern and comfortably established, service that is both personal and professional. Yet these aren’t contradictions, but knitted realities, and it’s in them that Ivester Jackson Blackstream and its clients thrive.

As an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, the company has access to a network of international buyers and sophisticated marketing apparatus, providing sellers with unparalleled exposure to a global market. Because Christie’s offices are centered in cities that feed directly into the Asheville real estate market, Ivester Jackson Blackstream is regularly referred by affiliates around the globe.

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It’s the agents’ connections to the Blue Ridge Mountains that make the business regionally nimble. Many of the company’s brokers are Asheville natives, and even those who aren’t carry an adoptive passion for the place they call home that is transferred to their clients. Managing Broker Jonathan Hunter, himself a native, dedicates himself to the Asheville community as a Chamber board member and president of the Young Professionals of Asheville. Britt Allen, the agency’s Senior Broker, spurs the company’s community outreach, which has supported agencies like Arts for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and CFWNC’s Power of the Purse. Other agents invest their time individually with organizations like Helpmate, Dining Out for Life, and Women for Women.

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THIS PAGE (L to R) BACK ROW: Kim Gentry Justus, Mike Zboyovski II, Ellen Browne McGuire FRONT ROW: Janet Blake, Britt Allen

Each broker brings special skill sets to the agency in order to expand its abilities and impact. Laura Livaudais, a top agent in Asheville, was recently named to the distinguished Christie’s Master’s Circle. As a broker with 13 years of experience, Kim Gentry Justus provides a knack for navigating difficult transactions and getting her clients to the closing table.

Hendersonville agent Cathy Diepholz previously owned her own firm and has worked in real estate for more than 25 years, while Mike Zyboyovski brings extensive development experience to Ivester Jackson Blackstream. Former teacher Ellen McGuire and Janet Blake, a paralegal for two decades, also lend particular insights gleaned from their previous careers to the agency. The company’s newest agent, Stacey Klimchuk, has raised the bar in local real estate by representing the buyer in the sale of the Chanteloup Mansion in Hendersonville.

2019 held spectacular promise and achievement for Ivester Jackson Blackstream, as the agency expanded into

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Hendersonville, Tryon, Shelby, and Rutherfordton, began working on a number of development projects, and was given the opportunity to represent both Town Mountain Preserve and the remaining lot inventory in Southcliff. Internally, the agency continued to expand, strategically adding agents that fit the company’s culture and maintain a commitment to professionalism. In the year ahead, Ivester Jackson Blackstream plans to extend its reach into Cashiers, Highlands, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Perhaps the most definitive advantage of Ivester Jackson Blackstream is not its international network or local regard, but the personalized, meticulous, and sophisticated service agents offer to all their properties, which is particularly evident in the luxury market. With such distinctive edges, Ivester Jackson Blackstream is uniquely positioned to find buyers for its sellers and homes for its buyers, efficiently, expertly, and felicitously.

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November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 75

The Faces of Trusted Tax Preparation & Financial Planning Carol King is, in her own words, an “entrepreneur disguised as a CPA.” Her curiosity for the mechanics of business has led her to don dozens of hats, from restaurateur to importer, but none so well-suited as founder of Asheville’s first woman-owned CPA firm, Carol L. King & Associates, P.A. When King opened the firm in 1991, she created a platform where she could employ her inherent entrepreneurial passion to help manage the financial success of a wide spectrum of businesses. Nearly 30 years later, King continues to apply her

meticulous eye for enterprise to the endeavors of Asheville’s industrialists, as well as the personal wealth of local families, at locations in both Asheville and Highlands.

King has expanded her firm and its offerings in order to serve her clients with a comprehensive suite of tools to build and manage their business and wealth. In 2006 the CPA firm added financial advising to its catalog, essentially doubling the tool chest of services offered and transforming Carol L. King & Associates into a one-stop financial services shop.

Faces of Enterprise (L to R) Martha Zeigler, Cheryl Mathus, Judi Jetson, Lisa Shearer, Laura Fenters, Trish Gall, Bruce Manus, Carol King, Don Nalley, Keith Bristol

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Today the team specializes in saving businesses and individuals money on their taxes and building their personal wealth at their two locations in Asheville and Highlands. The firm offers a continuum of services, including CPA-advised wealth management, strategic tax planning, and legacy planning, which clients can draw upon throughout the life of their business. King has developed a particular depth of experience in all areas of real estate and taxation, with many clients in construction, development, sales, exchange, and real estate investing.

Carol L. King & Associates also specializes in first generation businesses and guiding entrepreneurs through the inception, growth, and sale or succession of their companies. The team works with clients to help them get started, teach them how to know when and why they’re making a profit, advise them as the business matures about adding benefits like retirement plans and life insurance, coach them when they’re ready to sell the business or create a succession plan, and counsel them

as they consider what to do with the proceeds, ways to fund their retirement, and how to pass their legacy on to future generations.

Recently the firm expanded its toolkit for wealthy clients to include legacy planning. King and her team help families with wealth identify core values to pass on to future generations and ensure that heirs are prepared to receive their inheritance.

King’s dedication to entrepreneurship is rivaled only by her passion for community, evident in the fingerprints she’s left on downtown Asheville’s most notable redevelopment projects: She spearheaded the creation of Pack Square Park and helped restore the Grove Arcade for public use. This spirit of philanthropy is also perceptible in the Carol L. King & Associates team, who participate in the CPA Day of Service every fall, donating their time to local nonprofits like MANNA FoodBank.

As both a CPA and an entrepreneur, King typifies the goal she set forth for her firm in 1991: to help people make money and achieve their dreams.

carol l . king & associates

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— (L to R ) BACK ROW: Ryan Councill, Olivia Tyson, Sarah West, Andrew Tyson FRONT ROW: Joe Tyson, Carol Tyson,

Faces of Enterprise

The Faces of

Fine Furniture

Shopping at Tyson Furniture in downtown Black Mountain is a unique experience. The town itself is a magnet for visitors with its beautiful setting, interesting shops, and great places to eat. Tyson’s is a sprawling store spread out over an entire block of Black Mountain. The huge selection includes the best in today’s furniture and accessories, from Stressless Ekornes recliners made in Norway, to fine quality Amish solid wood furniture made in America. Tyson Furniture delivers with its own crews and trucks throughout Western North Carolina and the Southeastern United States.

The business was started in 1946, right after World War II, by Alfred (Bub) and Betty Tyson. Business was brisk after the war, and the store rapidly prospered. Joe and Carol Tyson took over the management in 1974. Today they are still active in the day to day activities, but leave much of the management to Ryan Councill, Olivia Tyson, Sarah West, and Andrew Tyson.

The most difficult part of the business is staying on top of trends in a rapidly changing furniture business, but that comes with the reward of forging relationships with generations of returning customers throughout the Southeast.

tyson furniture company, inc .

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Photograph by Oby Morgan

The Face of

Faces of Enterprise

the Next Generation of Commercial Brokerage Although Carla Barnard began her career at the global law firm Hogan Lovells specializing in commercial real estate, she soon recognized that her true passion lay not with the law, but with real estate itself.

When she relocated from London, UK, to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2013, it was this passion that pushed her to transition into commercial brokerage and establish her business, Carla & Company.

Barnard and her team offer a full panel of commercial real estate consulting and brokerage services for investors, operating businesses, landlords, and tenants.

Informed by her experience in real estate law and supported by an extensive local network of affiliated brokers, lenders, attorneys, and design professionals, Barnard employs real time analysis to help clients make sensible decisions with the perspective of long-term asset performance.

Carla & Company’s collaborative approach and commitment to putting clients first have placed the firm at the forefront of pivotal transactions that have helped transform the WNC real estate market over the past five years. Through informative, transparent communication, Barnard consistently helps clients make the best deals, in the right place, at the right time.

carla & company 53 asheland ave, asheville 28801 828.222.3685 - carla- co.com November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 79

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Faces of Enterprise

The Faces of

Comprehensive Insurance

Since McKinney Insurance Services, Inc. was founded in 1981, its intention has been the same: to provide clients with the best insurance coverage for their needs. In 2020, with an ever-evolving team and an expanding selection of insurance plans, the agency will be better equipped than ever to deliver that mission to an increasingly broad and diverse Western North Carolina community.

Doug and Sandy McKinney were working for Nationwide’s corporate offices in Atlanta, Georgia, when they jumped at the opportunity to move north and open their own agency in the early eighties. Since then, their business has grown from one location and two employees (the McKinneys themselves) to include more than 20 employees and three offices in Asheville, 80

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Candler, and Weaverville. The agency offers a comprehensive lineup of insurance products, including homeowners, auto, life, long-term care, and business insurances.

With Doug McKinney as President and son Chad McKinney as Principal Agent, McKinney Insurance Services continues its family legacy, while building a well-rounded team of passionate agents. The company is made up of both veteran agents with more than 20 years of experience with the agency and fresh, young talent who bring stimulating energy to the business.

Together, they’re able to provide clients with an excellent experience while identifying the coverage they need.

Each agent is enthusiastic not only about connecting clients with the best plans, but educating them about their options.

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Whereas other agencies offer a rate without explanation, McKinney’s agents intentionally offer multiple suggestions and meticulously and engagingly explain the coverage so that every client feels comfortable and knowledgeable in their decision. Agents are excited to recommend advanced options to their clients, like a new form of long term care (LTC) insurance that fills the gaps left by traditional LTC. For 38 years, McKinney Insurance Services has stood out amongst its peers, earning a spot in Nationwide’s Hall of Fame (one of approximately 55 agencies in the history of Nationwide to garner the honor). While the agency has prospered as a member of the Nationwide network, on July 1, 2020, McKinney Insurance Services will evolve into a fully independent insurance agency. With Nationwide Insurance’s decision to no longer have

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Exclusive Agents comes the opportunity for McKinney to largely expand their offerings and their ability to provide every client with the best possible policy and price. Rather than connecting insureds to policies from a single carrier, McKinney will now represent dozens of different carriers, including Nationwide Insurance, effectively multiplying their clients’ options tenfold.

With more options and more benefits than ever before, agents have increased opportunities to introduce their clients to new policies and educate them about their options. All of McKinney Insurance Services’ employees take pride in sharing new opportunities with their customers, especially with the fresh bounty of policies at their disposal. As the agency evolves, so does its agents’ dedication to connecting customers to insurance policies designed for their lives.

mckinney insurance services , inc .

5 allen ave, asheville 28803 - 828.684.5020 - mckinneyinsuranceservices.com

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com

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The Faces

of

Handmade Rugs Hand-knotted and boldly dyed, worn by the tread of thousands of footsteps, and shipped across hundreds of miles, every one of the 10,000 pieces at Togar Rugs tells a story. Together, they tell the tale of Togar Rugs itself.

After founder Tunch Togar met and married his wife, Nancy, in Istanbul, he found a way to keep himself occupied while splitting his time between Asheville and Istanbul: It began with a few pieces on return trips to Asheville, and word traveled of his interesting collection of hand-knotted rugs and kilims. Soon, the Togars’ basement was stacked floor to ceiling, and Togar Rugs was born, a small venture in Biltmore Forest, in the winter of 1977.

The business has continued to grow in the 43 years since, and today Togar Rugs’ rotating collection exceeds 10,000 pieces.

The shop continues to specialize in handknotted rugs from Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasian regions.

The pieces at Togar Rugs are varied in size, color, age, and origin, but unvarying in their beauty. Of the shop’s expansive inventory, approximately 60% of the rugs are vintage (40–60 years old), 20% are semi-antique (70–80 years old), 10% are antique (90–100 years old), and 10% are new production in modern, contemporary, and transitional designs. Though most pieces are 100% wool, the business also sells collectable, 100% pure silk rugs. In addition to its wide-ranging selection, Togar Rugs also offers rug cleaning, rug repair done entirely by hand, fiber guard stain treatment protection, rug padding, pick up and delivery, and rug shipping.

Togar Rugs’ collection of handmade, oneof-a-kind rugs is the largest in Western North Carolina. The older, authentic pieces that make up the core of its business represent a dying art form; meticulously crafted over hundreds of hours, the workmanship of these heirloom rugs is impossible to replicate in today’s market. Each rug is an artifact of history whose knots tell a story of generations and regional cultures completely unique to its weave.

The rug experts at Togar Rugs serve as storytellers and translators, illustrating to curious customers the different details and histories of each handmade rug. The family-owned shop has entered its second generation with daily operations under the direction of wife and husband duo Derin and Trevor A. Togar. The industry is small, and those with acute knowledge of fine, handmade rugs few, but all sales associates at Togar Rugs are rug experts. They share their expansive knowledge around the origins of the rugs to educate clients on the history and culture of when and where these beautiful artifacts were made.

Togar Rugs retains its dedication to the family business’ values even while adapting to a modern, digital world. In the year ahead, Togar’s online presence will evolve and expand to include point-and-click ordering with rugs delivered straight to clients’ doorsteps. But Togar Rugs’ original story—that of knowledgeable service and high value, high quality rugs offered at reasonable, fair market values—continues to be told in-store in Asheville.

togar rugs 562 long shoals rd, arden 28704 - 828.2687.1968 - togarrugs.com

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 83

THE OLD

NORTH

STATE [

news briefs

Dial M for MURDOCK kannapolis

The Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute announced plans to double its research space at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. The institute opened ten years ago with the MURDOCK Study, which seeks to better understand the relationship between food, agriculture, and health. The institute conducts longitudinal, community-based research.

To date, over 12,500 participants from The 20 zip codes are being tracked in the arage MURDOCK Study Community Registry, and the project’s biorepository has about 430,000 samples. The institute now uthority boasts over 50 collaborations, with over 100 Duke faculty ces Into Excepthavingceused Spamembers ion al Pla s rming Transfoand its samples data. This year, the center began collecting data for two additional TM

The

arage uthority TM paces Into Exceptio ming S n al Places r o f s n a r T

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research areas: fractures and falls and kidney health. MURDOCK is an acronym for Measurement to Understand the Reclassification of Disease of Cabarrus and Kannapolis. It is also, coincidentally, the name of the program’s benefactor, David H. Murdock, owner of Dole Food.

The campus operates in partnership with the State of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina system.

The Is Cool This Teacher asheboro

arage

workshop on how to build a guitar and had an idea for a community-based student project. Not only would kids make a guitar, they would create a business venture of selling custom guitars.

Drawing from his customer list from the sign company, students contacted leaders in the business community. Each interested businessperson was invited to a conference room meeting where the students, dressed in casual business attire, pitched their idea. The initial meeting was followed by a design process, which included listening to the client and building a wish list. Then, the design elements were turned over to students in Joy Frazer’s “Art Department” for the design of three to five prototypes. Smith’s Advanced Tech students then worked in teams of three, rotating daily the tasks of building the neck, building the body, and bean counting. Upon presentation with the final product, recipients were asked to post a note on social media.

Very IKEA

Scott Smith retired as the owner and operator of Able Custom Signs to go into statesville teaching. After several years teaching uthority Career and Technical Education classes Ashley Furniture has acquired the n I t o s e E c x a c p at Asheboro High and South Asheboro Homestar eption Places TM North America facility in ming S al r o f s n a Tr Middle School, Smith took a 70-hour Statesville, just 40 miles from Ashley’s

// LET US MAKE THE A PLACE FOR ALL YOUR FALL YARD & SPORTS GEAR cabinets • shelving • overhead storage • flooring ARAGE We proudly support local nonprofits including: Save the Storks, UTHORITY Orbie for Orphans, WMIT 106.9 The Light, and First Contact just to name a few. thegarageauthority.com • 828-202-5287

Can you update please? I called Rose to see if they had specific color numbers. Their Pantone colors are Blue: PMS 2945-C Yellow: PMS 120-C

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M ilitar y Discount Available

26 carolina in the west

M id-At la ntic Ma nu fact u r i ng a nd Distribution center. The 309,620-sq.-ft. facility has been generating over $50 million annually from the fabrication and sale of over 500 home furnishing products.

The facility specializes in manufacturing ready-to-assemble (RTA) merchandise, including bedroom sets, entertainment centers, occasional tables, and office furniture. By adding RTA to its offerings, Ashley hopes to capture young, first-time renters and owners with lower prices and faster turnaround times. RTA has a large market in urban settings, which are growing in popularity for a younger population that values a low carbon footprint lifestyle near work and services. RTA products can be shipped on smaller trucks and carried up narrow staircases where the delivery of traditional furniture hardly makes sense.

Ashley intends to keep its RTA products contemporary to appeal to this population, and the company will use available space to expand product lines.

learn theory in the classroom and shadow trained technicians on the floor at Smithfield’s Clinton, Kinston, and Wilson plants. Persons already employed by the company but seeking promotion, high school graduates, and military veterans are eligible to enroll. In addition to learning a skilled trade, participants will be compensated with free tuition, salary, and benefits; and graduates will receive an associate degree. Smithfield’s chief human resources officer Lisa Swaney described the program as maintaining a trained workforce in an industry with accelerating technological advances and helping employees enjoy, “a long, prosperous career with Smithfield.”

NCWorks and ApprenticeshipNC are among other program collaborators.

With long-term plans to expand the program nationwide, Smithfield intends to launch a similar program in partnership with Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, next year.

Work Long and Prosper

End of a Fabric Era

goldsboro

gastonia

Smithfield Foods announced the launch of an apprenticeship program in partnership with Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. Students will

The closing of Mary Jo’s Cloth Store was the end of an era. Mary Jo Cloninger started the business in 1951, when she was a 19-year-old newlywed. She took out

the old north state

a $500 loan, which had to be signed by a man, and started selling fabric out of the back of her father’s barbershop. Because she did her own purchasing, instead of contracting for bundles of generic fabrics, she was soon drawing customers from all over the region. She moved to larger and larger stores and in 1986 partnered with three investors to buy the Gaston Mall, where her fabric store served as the anchor. Cloninger turned down an opportunity to open a second store in Atlanta, Georgia, because she needed to be hands-on every day with any outfit that was going to bear her name. At its peak, in 2000, the store employed 80; but when it closed, only eight remained, most of whom had been with Cloninger for at least 40 years. Declining sales were attributable to dropping clothing prices and fabric vendors online. Cloninger’s family said the store should have closed two years ago, when she died; but her son had promised her he’d try to keep it running for a while.

The Plastic Problem wilmington

The Pla stic Ocea n P roject, Incorporated, held a grand opening for its new office space, scheduling festivities

®

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November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 85

the old north state

GIVING THANKS

The Y has been strengthening the local community since 1889, thanks to generous public support. We look forward to continuing to work together to transform the health and well-being of children, families, adults, and seniors throughout our region.

The Y.™ For a better us. » ymcawnc.org « YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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to coincide with Climate Strike Week. The non-governmental organization has been homeless since Hurricane Florence destroyed the science building at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, out of which it had been operating.

For eleven years before that, the group was working out of a storage unit and outsourcing research to students at the university. The new, bricks-and-mortar location has room for the executive director’s office, a conference room, an art room, a laboratory, and a storage room for project equipment and specimens. The Plastic Ocean Project is taking a multi-pronged approach to cleaning plastic waste out of the earth’s oceans. One strategy is to discourage overall use; more elaborative pursuits require research into how to efficiently and effectively mine existing plastic waste and repurpose it.

A Happy Kid’s a Healthy Kid charlotte

Atrium Health, formerly Carolinas HealthCare System, has opened its renovated and expanded Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies unit. The facility brings highly-skilled expertise and holistic healing together in the Southeastern United States. The center is staffed with a collaboration of doctors and nurses, transplant coordinators, social workers, teachers, psychologists, and dieticians. It has eight bedrooms to help children feel at home, but its most remarkable feature is its air purification system that removes germs, allowing immunologically-compromised children to wander the halls and enjoy the facility’s play and IT area during long recuperation periods normally managed with stress-inducing isolation and bedrest. The facility was designed with input from providers and families, whose ideas came to fruition thanks to contributions from the Sandra and Leon Levine family and funds raised in 2017 and 2018 during galas named in their honor. In addition to performing autologous and allogenic marrow transplants, specialists in the facility will treat other, noncancerous marrow disorders, such as immunodeficiencies and sickle-cell anemia.

Not as Quaint, but More Functional morganton

After five years of delays, the new Broughton Hospital has opened in Morganton. In light of the latest opinions about promoting mental health, the 477,000-square-foot, $130-million facility is designed to make ample use of daylight in rooms with subdued colors. The facility has several courtyards, areas for art therapy, rooms for learning life skills like cooking and doing laundry, a dental clinic, a radiology department, and a pharmacy. Patients will sleep in single or double rooms, Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave, Albany 10 COLLEGE ST. DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE instead of six-bed rooms; and they will have semi-private Offer valid at participating stores until 12/31/17 with this coupon. Not valid with other offers or discounts, purchase of gift cards, Oriental rugs, 828-254-8374

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bathrooms with emergency-preparedness features like breakaway doors. Whereas the old Broughton Hospital occupied a beautiful campus that is now on the National Register of Historic Places, the new building will bring patients and staff under one roof. The old facility also had only 297 beds, compared to the new one’s capacity for 382. The new Broughton will continue to serve adults, from 37 counties, who suffer acute mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance-abuse disorders. In 2016, the most recent year for which data is available, the facility treated about 700.

Forest Fighting statewide

A report, “Climate Impacts of Industrial Forest Practices in North Carolina,” published by the Center for Sustainable Economy and the Dogwood Alliance, faults the state’s greenhouse gas inventory for flawed analysis. The authors consider absurd the claim that planting new trees for every tree chopped down renders the industry carbon neutral. First, the heavy machinery used in logging is not carbon neutral. Second, woodchip fuel and other products made with harvested timber add to atmospheric carbon levels when used as intended.

Thirdly, killing old wood eliminates natural processes that store carbon within a tree’s framework instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The North Carolina Forestry Association, however, countered that natural carbon storage had increased since 1990, the baseline year for the greenhouse gas inventory, and that the climate impact report had not subtracted for natural forest mortality. The report argues the logging industry ranks third for carbon emissions in the state, behind only the electricity and transportation sectors, and thus has great potential for reducing emissions by implementing “climate-smart” practices.

Taking Matters into Her Own Hands charlotte

Tracey Spruill, a licensed cosmetologist, now has FDA approval for hair products she invented to address a personal problem. Spruill suffers from eczema, and she found off-theshelf products ineffective and prescriptions too harsh. As a cosmetologist, Spruill was in the business of promoting self-esteem through hair design and wanted her customers to feel good about the look and feel of their manes. Unable to recommend a product for clientele with similar problems, she set about researching an acceptable solution. Aloe + Coal by T. Spruill is now sold online as an over-the-counter shampoo and conditioner approved for the treatment of dandruff, dry scalp, scalp inflammation, hair breakage, and thinning hair.

The active ingredient is pyrithione zinc, which is effective in treating dandruff. As the name suggests, the products also

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contain activated charcoal powder and aloe vera gel. Several other ingredients go into the mix, including rice protein, mango butter, and grapefruit oil. Spruill studied accounting in college because her parents wanted her to have “something to fall back on.”

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Ribometrix completed a $7.8 million round of venture funding led by previous investors Dementia Discovery Fund and Illumina Ventures. Ribometrix is researching possibilities for injecting into diseased tissue small molecules that can bind in nooks and crannies of ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA is the molecular structure that carries code from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to assemble proteins. The binding molecules would disrupt the RNA’s molecular sequence, preventing the continued synthesis of pathological proteins. It is expected, however, that most of the opportunity for breakthroughs will occur by targeting non-coding RNAs, which do not directly synthesize proteins but regulate cellular functions. The possibility of doing this had not been considered before because 3-D imaging of RNA was not available.

Now, using inventions of cofounder Kevin Weeks of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Ribometrix can model 3-D RNA structures, enabling searches for molecular structures conducive to bonding.

Pamlico Sound and October 1 for waters south. No reopening date has been set for recreational flounder fishing.

In Other Words, Drones raleigh

Gerrymandering Fish sunset beach

When conditions defining overfishing are met, North Carolina law mandates that a remediation plan be adopted within two years and that the named fish population be restored to sustainable harvesting levels within the ten years following. A 2019 “Stock Assessment of Southern Flounder in the South Atlantic” concluded overfishing was occurring, and the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission adopted a plan setting September 4 as the end of the 2019 season for recreational and commercial flounder fishing. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, persons could still catch up to 10 regulation-size flounders, per person per day or 20 per boat per day, whichever was less; they just couldn’t cross the state line with the fish in the boat. The inconvenience was brief for commercial fishers, because the next fishing season opened September 15 for waters north of

The Research Triangle has been selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the home of the third testbed in a network it is building for its Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program. The Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW) program should open on the main campus of North Carolina State University in three years, with some functionality being available within a year. The testbed will be opened to researchers wishing to conduct their own investigations for advancing technologies with applications for highspeed wireless that will work when disasters and emergencies take other systems down, logistics, or autonomous transportation. A lot of projects are expected to come from recipients of NSF grants and companies making up the PAWR consortium. The NSF has awarded $50 million for the project, payable over the next seven years, and the PAWR consortium has matched the gift 100% with

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cash and in-kind contributions. New York and Salt Lake City were homes to the first testbeds, and a fourth location should be announced soon.

Please Pass the Beef wilkesboro

Thomas Brothers Meat Processing of North Wilkesboro has been purchased by its largest customer, Apple Brandy Beef, which is also local. Thomas Brothers was launched in the 1940s, by owner Ted Thomas’ grandfather, after his place of employment, International Shoe Company, was destroyed in the historic flood. Thomas Brothers has since grown to be one of the largest meat processors in Western North Carolina. The new business is called Apple Brandy Prime Cuts, and it employs the same ten who had worked for Thomas. The business is now vertically integrated, raising its own cattle in local pastures and supplying several butcher shops and restaurants. It also custom-processes hogs, cattle, lamb, goat, and ostrich. Apple Brandy beef is sold on-premises every day, and other butcher-shop offerings are available only from 7am-2pm Fridays and Saturdays.

When Thomas decided to get out of the business, he asked Seth Church, owner

of Apple Brandy, if he was interested in buying it. Thomas now spends his retirement driving an 18-wheeler.

Not Yet Time to Relax conover

The Spa at Rock Barn is closed for renovation and expansion. The European day spa is part of a historic social and athletic club, by the same name, built around two championship golf courses.

Owner Don Beaver, who also owns the minor-league baseball franchise the Charlotte Knights, expects the $3 million he is investing in the facility will be good for tourism. Already, the resort offered exotic pamperings like a mineral pool, a therapeutic waterfall, poolside dining, essential-oil-infused steam rooms, and a cold-water pool. Additions will include a salt cave with heated floors, a med spa offering the latest in anti-aging skin treatments, a double-sided water feature, access-all-areas audio that will play soothing music, and a coffee and juice bar. The facility’s interior dÊcor will be wholly overhauled. During renovations, limited spa services are being made available to members only, after the reopening, amenities will once again be accessible to members of the public.

A Sight to Behold millville

Duke Energy is contracting with helicopter operators to trim trees away from powerlines. It is not unusual for helicopters to be used for trimming trees in mountains or in areas where the lay of the underlying land is uncertain. As risky as it seems, helicopter trimming is decidedly safer than dispatching ground crews to climb trees and bushwack.

Helicopters deployed this year dropped an 850-pound assembly of ten circular saws in series, 75 feet below the craft, to clear passages 25 feet wide. Additional equipment included a custom control panel that allowed the operator to navigate and operate the saw simultaneously, an emergency release for dropping the saw, an audio alert system, and structures to stabilize the saw. Duke has recently started using LiDAR to identify which areas need trimming soonest; LiDAR also alerts crews to geological irregularities underlying dense vegetation. Using a helicopter, Duke can trim in five minutes what would take ground crews several days to complete.

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column

Thanksgiving Rules of the Road In which we provide you some simple guidelines for a fabulous feast…

J

john kerr

T

is the co-owner of Metro Wines located on Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville.

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HANKSGIVING IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. For four days, the entire nation slows down to celebrate friends and family and reflect on the blessings of the year. This long weekend is also the official kickoff for the holiday season.

Although commercials ending in “...and it makes a great gift!” are already running, I don’t feel the holiday season begins until I hear the doorbell ring on Thursday morning.

If you’re the host for Thanksgiving, there’s always a bit of anxiety in getting ready for the day. First, you have to clean the house to camouflage how you really live. Then there’s the turkey—will it be underdone, overdone, or ever done at all? And can you navigate family landmines for up to twelve hours?

But despite the inevitable concerns every year, the perceived disaster almost never occurs, and everyone has a great time. Camaraderie is really

| November 2019

what the day is about, with food and wine providing the foundation that binds us.

To help make your feast a standout, let’s review the rules of wine for Thanksgiving.

First, there is one golden rule you cannot break: Never run out of wine. To avoid this, make sure you have one bottle on hand for every guest who will be served. I know this sounds like too much, and it’s a virtual guarantee that you’ll have wine left over.

But remember, people will be drinking throughout the day, so it’s not without justification.

Now that you know how to avoid a wine tragedy, we can move on to the lesser guidelines. Make sure that

J you have at least one type of red, white, and rosé on the table. Thanksgiving is essentially a hodgepodge buffet with a cornucopia of flavors. So, there is no one wine that is going to pair perfectly with everything. It’s best to let everyone select the type of wine they like, and all will be happy.

For better pairings, select versatile wines that have a decent chance of complementing the food or at least not overly conflicting with the dishes.

You’ll get a good pairing if the wines are not tannic or oaky and have a little crispness or acid as well. Go with wines like a Cotes du Rhone, which are long in fruit and low in oak and tannins.

THESE ARE BUT A FEW OF THE GREAT THANKSGIVING WINES OUT THERE. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SERVE WHAT YOU ENJOY. A lively acidity will cleanse your palate, getting you ready for the next bite. The wine doesn’t have to be overly acidic like some Sauvignon Blancs or European wines. You just need enough to keep it refreshing.

Your wines need not be expensive.

There are plenty of wines in the $9 to $12 range that are truly great and not just tolerable. And you can drink world class quality in the $15 to $25 range if the bottle doesn’t need to come from Napa.

Here are some of the wines you’ll see on my Thanksgiving table. These are but a few of the great Thanksgiving wines out there. I recommend these because they meet the rules and are among my favorites. But always remember to serve what you enjoy. If you love the wines you pour, chances are so will your guests.

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Beaujolais Nouveau - the next generation ($15 to $21) Didn’t I warn you about Nouveau last year? True, I cautioned you to avoid this three-week-old wine because so many fastbuck artists release marginal versions. But a few wineries never stopped producing the level of quality that made this annual ritual a global fad. What is old is new again.

It’s safe to go back in the water as long as you know what to look for. To avoid disappointment, select a Nouveau from a quality producer like Brun or Dupeuble.

UnLitro red blend ($21 for one liter) Super Tuscan wines are among the world’s most popular wines now that everyone has discovered how good Cabernet tastes when grown in Italy. The next generation of Tuscan vintners is expanding this trend to include the grapes from Rhone. And one wine made from them is perfect for your feast.

UnLitro is a combination of Grenache, Carignan, and Alicante Bouset, a blend normally found in France’s Rhone

and Languedoc regions. The grapes are aged in concrete vats, which adds complexity but not oak. The wine is medium weight but not thin, so it balances well with turkey and the fixings.

Expect a French experience with an Italian twist. And the larger, one-liter size adds value as well as festivity to the table.

Mont Gravet Carignan ($9) If there ever was a perfect red for Thanksgiving, this is it.

First, it’s a great value because it’s from France’s Gascogne region. You’ll find it in southwest France, a wine region or two below Bordeaux. Never heard of it? That’s why this delicious wine costs only $9.

It’s rich but not heavy, with a long fruit forward finish. You’ll taste blackberries and other dark fruit with a hint of spiciness.

There’s a good chance that this one will also become your go to weeknight wine.

Corte Gardoni Nichesole Rosé ($17) Provence rules the rosé scene no more. The popularity of rosé has exploded in the last two years and along with it the

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variety of styles available. Of all the new rosés entering the market, it’s the ones from Italy that won over Asheville’s heart.

Italian rosé has the same crispness you’ll find in Provence, but leans towards a rounder, fuller structure. The weight of the wine helps it stand up to any dish that hits your Thanksgiving table. Corte Gardoni is a joyful wine—bright in flavor with citrus and nectarine leading the way to the crispest of finishes.

Luzon Blanco ($9) Spain produces many of the best wine values out there, and Luzon Blanco is no exception. The wine is a blend of Macabeo, one of the grapes used in Cava, and Sauvignon Blanc, which adds acidity.

Luzon is crisp and clean with the weight to stand up to Thanksgiving fare—a fresh, fruity wine with floral notes and flavors of tropical fruits. It’s another wine that may end up as a year-round favorite.

Schplink! Grüner Veltliner box ($36 for four bottles)

You can get premium wines at a discount price if you are willing to forgo the bottle. When first released, box (and can) wines were at the bottom rung of quality. However, it didn’t take long for several producers to start putting great wine in these containers. So, watch out. There are still many marginal wines in this category. But with a little care, you’ll end up with a winner.

Schplink! is among the best in boxes and has been the only white wine poured at a famous downtown restaurant for years.

Grüner is arguably the most versatile white and will stand up to more Thanksgiving dishes than any other wine. It’s aged one month on lees, long enough to add texture but short enough to retain its bright aromas and flavors. And if you don’t finish it all on Thanksgiving, what’s left will last another month in the box.

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The Faces

Luxury Handcrafted Mattresses

At Colton Mattress Factory, Mike Emerson and his team handcraft two-sided mattresses, just as he has done for more than three decades. What began in 1946 in Iowa is a legacy that continues with the Emerson family in Asheville today, with Mike continuing to lead a company he dedicated to his son, Colton.

The skilled artisans at Colton Mattress Factory handcraft exceptional sleep systems with time-tested techniques and modern innovations. Pocket coil mattresses—which feature individually pocketed coils that provide a pressure-free sleep surface, amazing support, and virtually no motion transfer from one side of the mattress to the other—are a newly popular feature

of

in Colton’s mattresses. Modern adjustable beds are the fastestgrowing part of the mattress business and are available with other innovative functions, like massage, pillow tilt for added neck support, and even a specialty feature for acid reflux.

Though many of Colton Mattress’ products are new, it’s a business that’s still dedicated to the traditions that matter. That means utilizing naturally cushioning, high-grade, and locallysourced components, and delivering them with memorable customer service. And because Colton Mattress delivers factory-direct to customers, the prices are comparable to or even lower than mass-produced mattresses.

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848 hendersonville rd, asheville 28803 - 828.299.4445 - coltonmattress.com | November 2019

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The Face of

Commercial Real Estate

Joanne Badr Morgan’s immersion in real estate began in Asheville, when she witnessed the commercial growth of downtown from the insider’s perspective of her family’s local businesses. Her interest in real estate development and closely held businesses led her to pursue a law career that allows her to work with investors, developers, entrepreneurs, landlords, tenants, and their lenders for the past 11 years.

In 2014 Morgan joined Ward and Smith, P.A., a state-wide, full-service law firm where she represents clients across North Carolina with real estate financing, development, and leasing, as well as business formation and acquisition.

Joanne also offers real estate brokerage services to her clients in Western North Carolina looking to find, acquire, and sell real estate.

She has closed more than $1 billion in loan and purchase transactions during her career. Joanne has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers®, and she was recently honored by her peers in the 2020 edition of “Best Lawyers in America”

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Joanne’s deep local roots, collaborative network, and entrepreneurial approach to law and brokerage ease the complexity of commercial real estate transactions, making the experience fruitful for clients on both sides of the table.

joanne badr morgan 82 patton ave, asheville 28801 - 828.280.6613 - jbmorgan @ wardandsmith.com

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Faces of Enterprise

(L to R) Ashley Kepley-Steward, John Anglin, Brandon Bryant, Patrick Medlin, Amanda Bryant | November 2019 96

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The Faces

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Mindful Building

At Red Tree Builders, it’s all about relationships— with clients, of course, but also with the environment, our local community, and with each other. Since the eco-luxury home builder was founded in 2006, Brandon and Amanda Bryant and their growing team have dedicatedly built homes that are, as their slogan attests, “Mindfully Built—Artfully Crafted.”

The Bryants’ priority lies with their clients, with whom they cultivate intentional and considerate relationships. Each house is built specifically to the clients’ needs, goals, and artistic style; the result is a home that is as artfully crafted as it is enduring and livable.

Red Tree’s devotion to mindfulness also applies to the land: The builders draw inspiration from nature for insight on design for homes that are in harmony with their surroundings and exhibit a deep respect for it in their actions, crafting homes that are mindful of local resources, sustainable, and energy efficient. With the establishment of sister company AeroBarrier WNC, Red Tree will help expand its sustainable impact through builders, remodelers, and homeowners who want to prioritize energy efficiency and smart design.

The builders are conscientious of and committed to our community, too, as exemplified by the business’ partnerships with the Asheville Homebuilder Workforce Development and the Mountain Area Workforce Development teams; together, they promote the incredible career opportunities of construction, especially for women. As a recent scholar of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, the builders are already applying valuable lessons in expanding

their business.

Behind it all is a team of expertly trained Red Tree employees and a network of carefully selected trade partners. President and Certified Green Master Builder Brandon Bryant, a native of WNC and construction, continues to apply his experience and love for the land to each of Red Tree’s projects and partnerships. Wife and Vice President Amanda Bryant supports the vision and strategic direction of the business, while newcomer and COO John Anglin, himself a 15-year veteran of the local development industry, runs daily operations, and supports marketing and community engagement.

Patrick Medlin, CFO, serves as Red Tree’s financial ninja, and intern-turned-Project Manager and Estimator Ashley Kepley-Steward is a testament to the lasting efficacy of apprenticeships and the excellent construction programs at A-B Tech.

Together with trade partners, it’s a team that’s large enough to provide you with experts in each aspect of your home’s design, yet small enough that each client becomes part of the Red Tree family.

The result of these relationships is a series of green-built homes that are artfully crafted and built to last. Red Tree’s projects range from mountain modern to farmhouse to craftsman, but all represent the eco-luxury standard for which the builders are known. Together, Red Tree Builders, its partners, and its clients are creating a legacy of timeless homes that will add to the architectural style of Asheville for years to come. In the year ahead, Red Tree will remain a mindful leader in the industry, developing provocative solutions that are required for our present and future.

red tree builders po box 8044, asheville 28814 - 828.712.1518 - redtreebuilders.com

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Real Estate In Our Region “All in the family” takes a literal turn for the Wrights, who have called Western North Carolina home for seven generations, a lineage that includes lifetimes of experience in local real estate and custom construction.

The Wrights have consistently paired necessity with passion to build businesses dedicated to integrity, quality, and ethics while finding, building, or selling the perfect home for their clients. Tim Wright began building custom homes in the eighties in order to do what other local builders could not: create exactly the home his family wanted. Similarly, wife Marilyn’s introduction to real estate was fatefully decided: When the market turned in 2008, she was working for Wright Family Custom Homes in design and coordination; in order to sell the business’ large inventory of houses, she got her real estate license.

Those homes were sold within months.

Years later, the husband and wife team continue to define and elevate the regional real estate market, both with Wright Family Custom Homes and Marilyn’s position at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, where she is a top producer.

Wright Family Custom Homes has evolved in recent years to appeal to a more discerning client; whereas the business used to build some seven to ten projects annually, it now only accepts one to two very detailed custom homes. Though these houses are defined by the business’ meticulous attention to detail, that doesn’t slow down construction or unnecessarily burden the budget. That’s in part thanks to Tim’s continuous hands-on attitude, which finds him at projects daily to

assess and push progress, talk with vendors, and oversee construction. The results are luxury houses that exactly match the customers’ visions, are built with time and budget in mind, and most importantly, feel like home.

Marilyn Wright’s specialty is selling unique and luxury properties across WNC. She attributes her success to the genuineness and understanding with which she handles each transaction. With plenty of personal experience as a seller, she understands how it feels to both lose and profit from a sale, and can perform best when clients are upfront about their goals and time frame. She communicates dedicatedly with her clients in order to exceed their expectations in buying or selling a home.

The efficacy of Marilyn’s approach is vindicated by her sales history, which includes a $3.9 million farm in Brevard with frontage on the French Broad River, and a majestic 1929 Georgian Estate in Biltmore Forest. Though she thrives in high-end real estate, her experience spans a range of price points: Upcoming sales include a $2.9 million home and a $20,000 property.

The Wrights’ daughter, Hannah, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in economics, has joined the family in real estate as a licensed agent at Premier Sotheby’s. She brings with her a lifetime of exposure to all facets of real estate design, construction, and sales.

Whether you’re looking to build your dream home or sell your property, the Wright family has the experience and expertise to help with all aspects of real estate development, design, building, and sales.

wright family custom homes po box 25067, asheville 28813 - 828.779.1697 - wrightfamilycustomhomes.com

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(L to R) Marilyn, Tim, and Hannah Wright

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leisure & libation

Fun For a Better written by shawndr a russell

photo from Envato

Western North Carolina

Our area has a reputation for having a high rate of volunteerism. In fact, a lot of organizations couldn’t operate smoothly—or even exist— without members of the community donating their time and energy.

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leisure & libation

It’s easy to be a bleeding heart

in Western North Carolina, with Buncombe County alone encompassing more than 1,700 nonprofits across just 660 square miles. In fact, nonprofits comprise 10% of all jobs in North Carolina, employing more than 400,000 and paying over $15 billion in wages.

And over the past ten years, the economic impact of nonprofits in the state have nearly doubled from $23.5 billion to about $43 billion according to the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.

During the past decade, Asheville was also recognized as one of America’s most charitable cities according to San Francisco finance company NerdWallet, which cited that more than 32% of Ashevillians volunteered and donated on average about 6% of their income in 2013.

More recently, CNBC gave Asheville a shout out in their piece, “America’s 10 Most Charitable Cities,” noting that the territory of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, South Carolina, as well as Asheville, North Carolina, boast an 86% giving rate. New local nonprofit PubCorps recently upped the ante with Director John Richardson’s declaration to “make Asheville ‘Volunteer City’ as well as ‘Beer City’”; PubCorps rolled out their 100,000 meal launch event in September to get the word out about their organization that pairs volunteers with pubs, bars, restaurants, and breweries.

Nationwide, volunteerism has reached an all-time high with the Corporation for National and Community Service reporting that more than 30% of Americans volunteered in 2018, working the equivalent of about $167 billion in economic value, while more than half of Americans donated to a charity last year. Of course, communities everywhere are benefiting from this uptick, but statistics show that volunteerism also makes a positive impact on the health of volunteers themselves—“strengthening the body, improving mood, and lessening the stress in participants.” Donating your time can even help you land a job, as regular volunteers have a 27% better chance of gaining employment according to Volunteerhub.

Encouraging volunteerism as a company also pays dividends, as an overwhelming majority of employees believe “organizations that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better overall working environment”—about 89%, according to a recent Deloitte Volunteer Impact Research study—and 71% of employees surveyed for America’s Charities Snapshot Employee Research said it was “imperative or very important to work where a culture is supportive of giving and volunteering.”

But the truth is, volunteers need to have fun and feel like they’re making an impact in order to continue giving back to that organization. We spoke with about a dozen nonprofits that shared how vital volunteers are to their organizations, with each echoing the sentiments of LuAnn Arena, Development Director for Literacy Council of Buncombe County, who shared, “They are quite literally the backbone of the organization. All of our instruction is delivered by the volunteers that we train. We couldn’t do anything without the generosity of our volunteers and donors!”

UPM RAFLATAC team members creating snack packs

photo courtesy Drums & Dragons

So, you want to pitch in? Here are several options.

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VOLUNTEERS AT backpacks drive | November 2019

photos cour tesy United Way

VOLUNTEERS HELP US serve food and tutor students

United Way To start your volunteer journey, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Marketing and Communications Director Elisabeth Bocklet suggests visiting Handsonasheville.org.

“This site gives people the opportunity to search for volunteer projects using a number of filters (both with us and with other nonprofits)” she advises. “Sort the site by issue, skills needed, child-friendly experiences, or use the calendar to find something happening when you have some extra time.” United Way works with about 3,000 volunteers directly each year, most which are locals, but Bocklet points out that out-of-town groups will reach out to coordinate what they call We Care Experiences.

“These are usually for companies or associations in the area for a conference and are looking to contribute to our local community while also providing team-building experiences for their staff.”

Volunteers are also crucial for United Way’s two biggest events: Lip Sync Battle, which kicks off their annual fundraising campaign with a goal of more than $4 million per year, and Days of Impact, a two-day volunteerism blitz they’ve hosted for 30 years. The latter has volunteers tackle a variety of finishable small projects, from simple landscaping to more elaborate construction projects or classroom support. “Seeing our volunteers—teachers, bankers, lawyers, and even our colleagues from our nonprofit partners—all piling into fantastic

photo courtesy Asheville afflicates

costumes and lip-syncing their way to the top of the leaderboard is a phenomenal sight and a tonic during tough times,” Bocklet says, adding that “more than 80% of the $4 million we raised last year came from individuals in our community. This is a staggering amount and we literally could not do our work without the people of Asheville and Buncombe County.”

The Literary Council Those with teaching chops can volunteer with The Literary Council, which requires volunteers to commit to about 10-12 hours of training in their first month and then agreeing to tutor for at least one year. Each year, these volunteers work with over 300 people of all ages to learn English or improve their reading skills, and every month, about 2,200 kids under the age of five receive new books. “It absolutely melts our hearts to see someone earn a High School Equivalency diploma, or become a U.S. citizen, or get a promotion at work, or report to us that they no longer need interpreters when they conference with their children’s teachers,” says ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program Director Erin Sebelius. Sebelius also shares that their biggest event of the year is the Authors for Literacy Dinner and Silent Auction, which always features a keynote speech by a New York Times bestselling author along with a cocktail hour and 3-course dinner. 2019’s author was Daniel Wallace of Big Fish fame.

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(L-R) BLAINE GREENFIELD of WPVM’s Blainesworld show, Jeff Messer and Amy Prxynosch photo courtesy WPVM

Arts for Life Arts for Life focuses on a different kind of literacy, providing seriously ill or disabled patients opportunities to become fluent in art. Volunteers must complete a 52-hour onboarding process because “volunteers will be working with seriously ill kids and their families. They not only need to know the art or music skills, they need to know how to handle families in intense situation, and they need to know how to care for themselves, since not all patients will do well,” explains Director of Development Lari Hatley. Yet Hatley assures that the payoff is equally intense, like when she recently overheard one young patient, who hadn’t been able to eat or sleep due to intense pain, tell their nurse, “What pain? I don’t have pain. I’m doing art!” The public can also support their annual art show featuring art created by their youth participants, as well as the Rise and Shine Benefit Breakfast every September, where families impacted by Arts for Life share their stories.

WPVM Noncommercial Radio Maybe you have the gift of gab and performing live doesn’t intimidate you? Consider joining 104

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community radio station WPVM-FM 103.7, where folks can get trained to deliver live broadcasts as an interviewer, DJ, or general show host. “We use our broadcast ability to help local community organizations, art events, public forums, and nonprofits tell their story to the listeners both on the 103.7 radio frequency and also live video to social media. We have 168 hours a week to fill, and we are dedicated to covering in-depth interviews and performances to reflect the essence of life in Asheville and the region,” explains Davyne Dial, WPVM’s general manager and president of Friends of WVPM. Dial shares that the organization will soon be opening an exhibition, A World of Radio, to help raise funds and have some other innovative revenuebuilding ideas in the works for 2020 “so we can avoid the annoying radio fundraisers that are common with the community radio and NPR stations.”

For WPVM volunteer Blaine Greenfield, host of “Blaine’s World,” the “freedom to be in charge of a show with no interference from management,” and getting to “help local theaters promote their upcoming shows and help nonprofits tell their story” are what make volunteering with WPVM most rewarding. Fellow volunteer and host of “NC Serves Western Veterans Radio Hour” also relishes getting to utilize WPVM’s platform to serve a particular

group, saying, “It brings us joy and excitement to get the word out to the veterans’ community about programs and resources in their back door. We enjoy our time in the studio because we are able to relax and have genuine conversations with our veteran guests about real-life issues.” WPVM’s shows are dedicated to highlighting local organizations that are working to make a positive impact in WNC, especially nonprofits, organizations, leaders, and influencers working toward social and economic justice and environmental sustainability.

MANNA FoodBank Of course, not everyone feels suited to be a tutor, on-air personality, or has an artistic skill to share, but plenty of organizations need behind-the-scenes volunteers to make their organizations run, like MANNA FoodBank. Kara Irani, MANNA’s Director of Marketing and Communications, urges folks to get involved because “in 2020 we are really looking at a massive growth in the need for food in our area. We have been experiencing this food insecurity pretty much since

Volunteers also help sort through produce and goods and help make MANNA’s two signature annual sellout events a success. the beginning of the recession in 2008.” On average, 7,000 volunteers work for MANNA, putting in the equivalent of 35 full-time jobs according to MANNA’s Volunteer Manager Micah Tomlinson. “Quite literally, we would not be able to serve the nearly 100,000 people that are experiencing food insecurity in WNC without our volunteers. Volunteers are the foundation of what we do,” Tomlinson says.

In addition to ensuring that families across 16 counties receive food, volunteers also help sort through produce and goods and help make MANNA’s two signature annual sellout events a success. In June MANNA hosts the Blue Jean Ball, transforming their campus into a mini food and music festival for 1,000 guests. Then during September, MANNA partners with local potters for Empty Bowls, a meal where the bowls are donated and soup is served to raise money for MANNA’s new strategic plan. Explains CEO Hannah Randall, “[The plan] focuses on engaging people’s hearts and minds in the systemic issues that lead to food insecurity while building on the strengths of our existing network.” photos this page courtesy MANNA FoodBank November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 105

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Championing the cause to SUPPORT Rotary Club of Asheville People of Action Katherine C Morosani

CEA-9901A-A

Financial Advisor

1185 Charlotte Highway Suite I Fairview, NC 28730 828-628-1546

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

PUTTING TOGETHER STEM KITS photo courtesy United Way

Goodwill Industries

Every Moment Matters.

When living with a serious illness, Four Seasons can help you make the most of each moment and feel better doing it.

FourSeasonsCFL.org (828) 692.6178

Yet even the most time-strapped people can still help build a better community through Goodwill. Shopping at their retail locations or dropping off your donations means supporting “members of our community who are looking for a new career, looking to reenter the workforce, and are looking for a hand up. We exist to create those opportunities for a brighter future and for a stronger community,” says Goodwill’s Western District Director, Tara Thompson McCracken. One of these opportunities is the annual Real World simulation where 350 students from area high schools come together to be led through a day of “budgeting, paying bills, buying a car, and making all of that work on a specific salary and specific life profile. This event really does provide the students with an eye-opening experience of the real world,” McCracken says.

Asheville Affiliates A slew of unique annual events could use your muscles, crafting or professional skills, or just your eyeballs for a few hours. A great local resource for finding fun “parties with a purpose,” as they like to say, is Asheville Affiliates.

Launched in 1999 as a social networking group for young professionals, the organization has blossomed into a fundraising force, raising more than half a million for 65 nonprofits. Their formula is creating $25 events that include food, alcohol, and entertainment, along with a raffle and silent auction.

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Save the Date Board member and owner of Rotanz Design, Katie Rotanz Gillikin, says they aim to make “every party totally different with its own vibe.

Some parties are fun costume dance parties while others are spent relaxing by the river with a beer in hand. They each have their own definition of success, whether that is raising a certain amount of money or they simply want brand awareness. Our most popular parties tend to be the nonprofits that have large followings. Last year our party for Guardian Ad Litem brought out a ton of people as well as the Collider party a few years ago.” The board consists of 15 volunteers who commit to serve two to four years. “Hands down, my favorite part of being on this board is the friendships that are made. Not only does the board become close, but I love making friends with our nonprofits and learning about the ways that they are helping and supporting our town. Everyone here has a big heart that wants to give back and is willing to volunteer their free time to do so,” Gillikin says.

WNC Bridge Foundation Party planning not your forte? Work up a sweat for a good cause instead and join a Drums and Dragons team. This unique event supports WNC Bridge Foundation, an organization that provides funds to support people who are facing health challenges in Western North Carolina. During this one-day event in June on Lake Julian, teams of 20 paddlers compete in head-to-head dragon boat races that last only seconds as the long, skinny boats glide across the surface. This year, they raised nearly $40,000 with 100% of proceeds being donated to eight area nonprofits. “This one-of-a kind event has built a reputation of not only being a day of fun for the whole family, but is also known as a unique team-building experience enjoyed by many local businesses and nonprofits in our community,” explains Natalie Clark, WNC Bridge Foundation Donor Relations and Communication Officer. “Dragon boat racing is a team sport that emphasizes synchronization and endurance, that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Our volunteers have commented they find it fun and exciting event to be a part of.”

Do your part at these upcoming nonprofit-related events that are just a great time all around.

NOVEMBER 2

NOVEMBER 24

1st Annual Record Fair for 103.3 Asheville FM

COMEDY NIGHT A Fundraiser for Mobile Meals

New Belgium Brewery Asheville, NC

Tryon Fine Arts Center Tryon, NC

ashevillefm.org/fair/

Tryonarts.org/pam-stone

NOVEMBER 7 AND 14

NOVEMBER 24

Ladies Night Out for The Riley Howell Foundation

Kirtan & Community Outreach: Backpacks for the Homeless

B. B. Barns Asheville, NC

Asheville Yoga Center Asheville, NC

facebook.com > B.B. Barns The Garden Company > Events

Youryoga.com/events

NOVEMBER 9

Asheville City Schools Craft Fair Salvage Station Asheville, NC facebook.com> Claxton Families > Events NOVEMBER 9 Holiday Mash Up Party for Mountain Pet Rescue One World Brewing - West Asheville, NC facebook.com > Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville > Events NOVEMBER 17 Asheville Area Piano Forum Fall Benefit Concert Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville Asheville, NC facebook.com > Asheville Area Piano Forum > Events NOVEMBER 23 Mountainfilm on Tour Film Festival The Orange Peel Asheville, NC

NOVEMBER 29

Giving Back on Green Friday Adventure Center of Asheville Asheville, NC Exploreasheville.com/event-calendar/ DECEMBER 3

Fundraiser for UNC-Asheville Celebration of Dionysus Golden Fleece Asheville, NC metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/ DECEMBER 5

Saints of Paint Fundraiser Opening Gala Beth HaTephila Congregation Asheville, NC Facebook > Carolina Jews for Justice > Events DECEMBER 10

8th Annual Home for the Holidays FUNdraiser The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Facebook > Town Mountain Realty

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina Or, opt to play a sport that allows for ample beer-drinking time and gather some friends for the annual Bowling for Kids’ Sake that supports Big Brother Big Sister. Every year has a theme, and teams go all out with their costumes, with last year’s winners carrying in a huge cardboard Mardi Gras float and conducting a mini parade upon entering Sky Lanes bowling. Big Brothers Big Sisters Communications Coordinator Paul Clark says the event “bring many Bigs and Littles together on teams that adult supporters organize and populate with friends and colleagues, most of whom raise or donate money while having a great time doing it!” Clark also shares that Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has 50 boys on the waiting list in Buncombe County and encourages men to sign up to become Big Brothers by visiting bbbwwnc.org. “Prospective Bigs can also drop in our office at noon on Thursdays for a 30-minute orientation meeting. If they want to enroll as a Big, we do background and reference checks and provide mentor training. If all goes well, staff proposes, facilitates, and supports a match that is based on common interests and personalities. We also enhance those 108

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matches with sponsored outings and events, as well as regularly checking with Bigs and parents/caregivers for any support they need,” Clark says.

Make a Mark Creatives can lend their skills to Make a Mark, a 12-hour design and development marathon benefitting local humanitarian causes. Asheville is one of only 14 cities that held a Make a Mark-a-thon in 2019, and organizer Julie Obenauer says the excitement at the end of the day is hard to describe: “There is cheering, there is laughter, and there are usually a few tears as the projects are unveiled. It is a wonderful celebration of appreciation--for the makers, for the nonprofits—and community.” With Make a Mark only in its second year, Obenauer is already looking forward to next year and helping even more nonprofits. “Leading the efforts for Make a Mark Asheville is an amazing volunteer experience,” she says. “It is an honor to get to know people who are working to make our community better! It is truly a pleasure to bring smart, talented people together to help deserving organizations in Asheville. But what I love the most

photo courtesy United Way

is the energy, positivity, and joy that comes out of the 12-hour collaboration.”

photo courtesy Muddy Sneakers

Muddy Sneakers And one of the simplest ways you can give back requires just literally sitting still for a couple of hours while you enjoy the annual Mountainfilm on Tour film festival, which showcases global outdoor adventure documentaries.

Taking place on November 23 at The Orange Peel, the one-night event supports Muddy Sneakers, the creators of an environmental education program for 5th grade public school students in 25 schools across Western North Carolina and 18 schools in the Piedmont region, with the goal of awakening in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world. The organization also needs volunteers who can serve as local ambassadors for their program, assist schools as chaperones, and help represent them at outreach and fundraising events.

“Advocacy in communities allows us to maintain longterm commitments to schools,” explains Development Officer Perry Jones. “We strive to build deep and strong November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 109

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connections with each community we serve, and we rely on supporters to help guide us in that process at the local level.

Parents, grandparents, educators, and engaged community members who want to see our program continue or grow into their area can contact us on how best to be an ambassador in their town, school district, or region.” Muddy Sneakers also participates in the White Squirrel Festival, Mountain Song Festival and Songsmith Gathering, the DuPont Forest Festival, and the Mountain Science Expo, plus often hosts trash cleanup days and nature hikes.

“We keep the cost of programming affordable for our partnering schools by asking them to bring 25% of the full cost, with Muddy Sneakers privately fundraising the additional 75%. Thanks to the investment of communities in each region, we are able to introduce more children to the positive impacts of outdoor science education,” Jones says.

Practically every week you can find a brewery doing pints for a cause, or catch a show at a local nonprofit theater, or attend some kind of fundraiser. Asheville is ripe with opportunities to give back and strengthen our community, a nd , ye s , re a p t he p o sit ive personal benefits that come from volunteering. Because as Stephanie Watson, Executive Editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, wrote in her piece, “Volunteering May Be Good for Body and Mind,” “Studies have shown that volunteering helps people who donate their time feel more socially connected, thus warding off loneliness and depression. But I was surprised to learn that volunteering has positive implications that go beyond mental health. A growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might also be rewarded with better physical health— including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.”

“Studies have shown that volunteering helps people who donate their time feel more socially connected, thus warding off loneliness and depression.”

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How to Volunteer

Get involved with some of the organizations mentioned in this edition.

ARTS FOR LIFE:

GOODWILL

MANNA FOODBANK

THE LITERARY COUNCIL

Ashevillearts.com/resources/ volunteer-with-arts-for-life

Goodwillnwnc.org/volunteer

Mannafoodbank.org/how-youcan-help/volunteer

Asheville.com/event/volunteer-orientation-literacy-council

MUDDY SNEAKERS

UNITED WAY

Muddysneakers.org/about/ volunteer

Unitedwayabc.org/volunteer

ASHEVILLE AFFILIATES

Ashevilleaffiliates.com/about BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Bbbswnc.org/volunteer COUNCIL ON AGING

HERE (Housing Equality Resources & Education In Jackson County)

Hijcinc.wordpress.com/get-involved

WNC BRIDGE FOUNDATION SHARING HOUSE

MAKE A MARK

Sharinghouse.org/volunteers

Wncbridge.org/shop/ become-a-volunteer

Letsmakeamark.org/avl

Councilonaging.com/how-to-help/ volunteers

With most of life’s little daily worries like home and yard maintenance and housekeeping taken care of, I’m free to focus on my total health – body, mind and spirit. The beautiful setting, wonderful new friends, and newly discovered interests keep me engaged, active and happy!

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Asheville, North Carolina 800-284-1531 deerfieldwnc.org November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 111

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2019

Faces of

Medicine MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN WE MEET with medical professionals entrusted with keeping us healthy and happily going about our daily lives, we are the ones sharing information about ourselves, our families, habits, and hobbies. That’s why we thought it might be nice to help some of those dedicated individuals share a little bit about who they are, where they come from, and why they do what they do. If we’ve learned anything in nine years of asking people what exactly motivates them to get out of bed each morning, day after day, it’s the understanding that we all bring a deep level of personality to our jobs, regardless of what we do. That human element is one that cannot be overlooked, and one we hope that you find in any medical professional, especially those featured in the following pages.

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Faces of Medicine

Dr. Brent Steele Leslie Steele

The Faces of

Superior Hearing At The Hearing Guy, Dr. Brent Steele and his team improve the lives of patients, especially those with hearing loss and tinnitus, with a broad range of customized hearing solutions. Dr. Steele takes a personalized approach with every patient to ensure that their hearing device works best for their unique lifestyle and circumstances, offering education and understanding along the way.

When Dr. Steele established his practice in 2014, he partnered with a franchise that distributed only one brand of hearing aids, but he quickly recognized that limiting his business to one brand also limited his patients’ options. Today The Hearing Guy operates independently and has expanded to include all

hearing aid brands and a comprehensive array of hearing health services, including hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting, cleaning and repair, and ear wax removal.

As hearing devices become more technologically advanced, the practice—with locations in Asheville and Hendersonville— is leading the field in order to offer patients the most advanced solutions. Dr. Steele can connect the device to patients’ phones for superior sound quality on calls, and adjustments can easily be made via an app. The Hearing Guy’s innovations will continue in 2020 with the introduction of telehealth: remote programming that connects patients to Dr. Steele for adjustments without the need to visit the office.

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1863 hendersonville rd, suite 121, asheville 28803 - 828.274.6913 - thehearingguy.net | November 2019

The Faces of Whole Health

The name may have changed, but the exceptional standard of whole-person care remains the same.

For 35 years AdventHealth Hendersonville has been part of a collaborative network of more than 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites; they’ve long shared best practices for care, access to technology and innovations, and leverage to help keep costs down. In 2019 Park Ridge Health became AdventHealth, and that longstanding system of synergetic excellence became evident in its name.

AdventHealth continues to provide high-quality, whole-person care, treating the mind, body, and spirit across every age and stage of life. It’s this dedication to superlative medicine that draws in the hospital’s world-class physicians, like Wake Forest Baptist

Health Medical Oncologist Vel Matthews-Smith, MD, who leads AdventHealth’s nationally accredited cancer program.

The hospital’s physician team excels across all areas, including Orthopedics (AdventHealth is the first hospital in WNC to hold The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for five orthopedic specialties), their award-winning labor and delivery experience, state-of-the-art surgical care, and an emergency department partnership with Wake Forest Baptist Health.

Though their skills and expertise define the clinical team, it’s their commitment to wholistic wellness through programs like Spiritual Wholeness, which serves the spiritual health of patients across all their clinical locations, that distinguishes AdventHealth.

adventhealth 100 hospital dr, hendersonville 28792 - 828.684.8501 - adventhealthnc.com

Jimm Bunch, President & CEO Teresa Herbert, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer

Christy Sneller, Vice President of Physician Services

David Onofrey, MD, FACS, Surgery Specialist Pierre DeMatos, MD, FACS, Surgery Specialist

Faces of Medicine

Byron Dixon, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Dept.

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In 2008 insurance companies saw the economic slump as an opportunity to turn the remaining independent dental offices into managed care practices run by their corporations. Zöe Dental refused this path.

Dr. Stamatiades, the practice’s founder and CEO, was determined to keep Zöe Dental independent; he strongly believed that health care decisions should remain between a doctor and the patient without clinical interference from the patient’s insurance provider.

As a small, relatively new practice—founded in 2005, Zöe Dental had just one doctor and five employees at the time—the challenges set by the recession and Asheville’s competitive market were particularly steep. Dr. Stamatiades knew that in order to prevail, he had to do something different. He veered his practice away from industry norms and cultivated a full service, patient-centric practice that prioritizes whole-person health, comfort, and community.

Dr. Stamatiades began with a vision to overcome the public perception of dentistry. His first step: prioritizing the patient experience. He recruited employees from the customer service industry and trained them to understand the dental business, then provided them with an environment in which their personal and professional growth is nurtured. The result is a practice avoiding the traditional pitfalls of status quo dentistry: Zöe Dental offers patients short wait times, ample time with their doctor, and access to empathetic, patient-focused employees.

Dr. Stamatiades also developed the practice’s Comfort Menu. The list of complementary items, like heated leather massage chairs, aromatherapy, headphones, and paraffin hand wax, make patients’ visits more comfortable and less stressful. The exponential growth of Zöe Dental in the 10 years following Dr. Stamatiades’ intentional evolution is proof of its success. Today the practice is home to a team of 28, including 4 doctors, and offers a comprehensive suite of services like general dentistry, crown and bridge, implants, and full mouth reconstruction. In the past three years alone, the practice has grown by 65%, opening a renovated facility with 10 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art equipment in 2017.

As Zöe Dental has grown, so have its philanthropic efforts. Since starting in 2014, Zöe Dental’s annual Dentistry from the Heart event has treated 532 patients and donated over $185,000 in free dental services to the WNC community. Last year Zöe Dental also hosted its inaugural Smiles for Freedom event, a partnership with ABCCM’s Veterans Quarters that provided free dental care to veterans in need.

The innovation and impact of Zöe Dental has attracted the attention of local and regional leaders. In 2019 Dr. Stamatiades was awarded Small Business Leader of the Year in the 16-50 employee category by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. The practice also ranked 21 on the 2019 list of Best Employers of NC for companies with 250 employees or less by Business North Carolina and received the Sky High growth award, which recognizes 25 Asheville-area businesses for their growth and success.

These accolades serve to reaffirm what the practice’s growth implies: Zöe Dental has become a well-known dental leader in WNC focused on making life better for its patients.

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10-a yorkshire st, suite 110, asheville 28803 828.412.8220 - zoedental.com | November 2019

Perry Stamatiades, DDS, MAGD

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The Faces of Changing the Perspective of Dentistry

Faces of Medicine Kelly Van Wagenen, DDS

Jason Juarez, DDS

Sapna Hayes, DDS November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 117

MISSION: TO DELIVER THE BEST CARE WITH THE MOST CARE For 134 years, Mission Health has been there for you — building new hospitals for each generation.

Now Mission is investing in cutting-edge technology and design — to maximize your comfort and create an environment where you and your family can relax and focus on what really matters.

The new Mission Hospital North Tower. Built for you.

missionhealth.org

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MISSION: You

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 119

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Dr. William H. Logan, III, University of Texas- Houston

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Dr. Larry P. Parworth, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospitals

Dr. Samuel Hayes, David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB CA

The Faces of

Expert Oral & Dental Implant Surgery

In 1980 Dr. Robert Scully founded the practice with a seemingly simple intention: to provide innovative surgical care with a patient-centered focus to the people of Western North Carolina. 38 years later, Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s six-surgeon practice offers a broad range of specialties and pioneering technology across four locations, all continuing with that patient-centered focus to which the practice was originally dedicated.

A spectrum of surgical procedures and treatments are available at Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to amend a range of diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, head, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and 120

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maxillofacial region. As the most experienced surgical group in WNC, the team has amassed a great deal of experience with dental implants, wisdom teeth, facial trauma, and reconstructive jaw surgery.

Every member of the Rockcliff surgical team is highly trained, having completed four to six years of meticulous and intense hospital-based training following the already rigorous regiment of dental school. Each of those surgeons brings with them a unique collection of knowledge, resources, and experience gleaned from their particular background. Through collaboration and communication, the surgeons combine their knowledge to bring every patient

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Faces of Medicine

Dr. Eric Burgon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospitals

Dr. Alexander Consky, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospitals

the best, most informed care possible. Working alongside these experienced surgeons is a skillful support staff made up of surgical assistants, front-desk professionals, and management.

In addition to a seasoned team, the practice is also exceptional in its approach to surgery itself, including their utilization of the most advanced surgical techniques and state-of-the-art technology available. Before implementing these new techniques, Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery verifies that the results are unerringly supported by research and statistics, ensuring their patients’ safety and happiness.

Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s lineup of procedures is expansive, and many of those epitomize the innovative approach that sets the practice apart, like the full arch dental implant fixed prosthesis, which restores function, esthetics, and quality of life to patients with failing dentition. Another offering of note is the all-inclusive package for implant supported dentures called Revive-A-Smile.

Dr. Eric Warburton, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospitals

This concept provides patients with fully functioning teeth supported by dental implants in a single procedure, thanks to the combined efforts of Rockcliff Oral Surgery, your general dentist, and the dental lab, Image Dental Arts.

The expertise of the practice is available at four convenient locations: Asheville, Hendersonville, Waynesville, and Sylva.

Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is also the only oral and maxillofacial surgery group in WNC that serves the region by taking facial trauma and life-threatening infection calls 24/7 at Mission Hospital. Managing these types of complicated cases demands that their surgeons continually update their knowledge base and keep their surgical skills sharp and focused.

Rockcliff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery intends to continue their history of cutting-edge technique and technology, including incorporating the latest in digital scanning applications into their repertoire to improve safety, accuracy, and efficiency. And, as always, they’ll deliver those advanced services with a patient-centered focus.

rockcliff oral surgery 4 medical park dr, asheville 28803 - 828.255.7781 - rockclifforalsurgery.com

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The Pardee UNC Health Care Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic is a new program at the Pardee Cancer Center that launched in September 2019. The Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic gives patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer the opportunity to meet with multiple breast cancer specialists in a single half-day visit.

Patients will separately meet with Western North Carolina’s only female fellowship-trained breast surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist in the same exam room throughout their morning appointment. This allows patients to complete all of their treatment consultations in one visit, rather than having to attend multiple appointments over several days.

During the Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic, patients will also

meet with a breast care nurse navigator, who offers personalized guidance through breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. If the patient is eligible for a clinical trial, they will also have an opportunity to talk with a member of the research team to discuss their options.

In addition to the breast surgeon, medical oncologists, radiation oncologist, and breast care nurse navigator, the Breast Multidisciplinary Clinic team includes an advanced nurse practitioner, mammography coordinator, breast care surgery nurse, and breast care nurse.

Pardee is a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence through the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program and is accredited by the National Accreditation for Breast Centers.

pardee unc health care cancer center 805 6 th ave west, suite 100, hendersonville 28791 - 828.698.7334 - pardeehospital.org Kristy Capps, RN, BSN, CN-BN

John Hill, MD

Yaseen Zia, MD Jodi Rector, RN, BSN

Courtney Edney, RN, BSN Navin Anthony, DO Teresa Frady, RT (R)(M)

Jennifer McAlister, MD, FACS

Lynn Howie, MD

Kate Kennedy, ANP-BC

The Faces of Compassionate Breast Cancer Care

Not pictured: James Radford, MD

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THE ANNUAL

2019

Comprehensive resources for your home and work in Western North Carolina

FEATURING:

Faces of Enterprise & Faces of Medicine a showcase of local businesses, leaders, professionals, and creatives

Asheville and Western North Carolina are enjoying remarkable economic growth. There are numerous reasons for our region’s current success, and local entrepreneurs and business professionals are chief among them.

Look for The Annual at locations across Western North Carolina For more information on this or next year’s publication, please contact us at 828.274.7305 or at advertising@capitalatplay.com

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 123

People Play at

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1. Zabumba performs at the Funkatorium.

(MW) 2. Chris Bubenik & Lauri Nichols (MW)

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3. Ehren Cruz & Ryan O’Sulivan (MG) 4. Anna Goldby & Sara Baicich (MG) 5. Martha Skinner (MW)

6. Dancer interacts with an installation by Martha Skinner. (MW) 7. Attendees watch the performances at the

Asheville Area Arts Council Ruby Ball Wicked Weed Funkatorium, REVOLVE gallery, & Cuban Cabaret | Asheville NC | September 5th, 2019Â Photos by Max Ganley (MG) and Myriah Wood (MW) 8

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Funkatorium. (MW) 8. Katie Cornell, Dana Schiffman, Mamie Fain, Erica Stankwytch Bailey, & Janelle Wienke (MW)

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9. Tom Leiner & Kat Williams (MW) 10. Attendees hop on the trolley to get to the next party. (MW) 11. Attendees at the VIP Party (MW)

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15

12. Photo booth at the Funkatorium (MW) 13. Britt Castaneda & Valeria Watson (MW) 14. The Get Right Band performs (MW) 15. Percussionists play (MW) November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 125

events

november

EVENTS

Since 1995, the four graduates of prestigious academies of music in Poland have been playing around with Mozart.

> Admission: Standard $35, Premium $40

> 828-859-8322 > tryonarts.org

november 1- 30

“Reflection and Interpretation” – Reception 5-8PM Asheville Gallery of Art 82 Patton Ave, #2803, Asheville NC

Michael Robinson captures essences of light in nature with bold strokes of bright color in oil on canvas. The approximation to realism with such simplicity is worth a pause. The free show runs November 1-30.

> 828-251-5796 > ashevillegallery-of-art.com november 1

MozART Comes to Town

7:30-9PM Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon, NC

november 1

Atos Trio 8-9:30PM

Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville 1 Edwin Place, Asheville, NC The accomplished violinist, cellist, and pianist will tackle trios by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Shostakovich.

>Tickets: Adult $40, Youth (0-24) FREE

> 828-575-7427 > ashevillechambermusic.org/concert-2 november 1-3

The Log & Timber Home Show 1-7 PM

WNC Ag Center - Davis Arena

1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher, NC Looking to purchase, build, or remodel a log home in the area? The Asheville Home Builders Association has gotten local builders, presenters, and workshops together in one location for all your building and planning needs.

Discuss your plans and designs with local professionals, get inspiration for your build, and more!

>Tickets:$15 Online; $20 at the door > thelogandtimbershow.com/events/ asheville-nc-2019/

november 2

Basics of Bookkeeping 9AM-12PM

A-B Tech Small Business Center 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC This free workshop covers the bases for startups not big enough to hire a dedicated accountant: accrual vs. cash, how to register the company with which agencies, tax guidelines and distinctions, financial reporting for decision-making, P&L’s, and I&E’s, etc.

> 828-271-4786 > asheville.score.org

A Unique and Independent Real Estate Company since 1979 126

23 Arlington Street Asheville, NC 28801 | 828. 255.7530 | www.appalachianrealty.com | November 2019

november 2

3rd Annual Sausage Festival

5-9PM Hickory Nut Gap Farm 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC Similar to an Oktoberfest, you can expect lederhosen, yodeling, and lots of sausage.

Local beers and ciders will be available, along with games for adults and kids. A good ol’ family time is guaranteed for all.

>Tickets: Adult $14, Child (5-12) $7, Infant FREE > 828-628-1027 > hickorynutgap.com

november 2

Russian Ballet Theatre presents Swan Lake

7:30-10:30PM US Cellular Center 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC

This production of the German fairy tale set to Tchaikovsky features handpainted sets, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, artistic hairdressing, and special-effects makeup.

>Ticket prices fluctuate. > 828-259-5736 > uscellularcenterasheville.com november 3

2019 WNC Fermentation Festival

11AM-5PM Madison County Cooperative 258 Carolina Lane, Marshall, NC

Fermenters age with grace. Vendors will have recipe books, fermentation kits, storage tips, demonstrations, and more.

Proceeds from sales benefit the Beacon of Hope Food Bank of Marshall.

> wncfermentingfestival.com november 5

Earth Equity Advisors Speaker Series

6-7PM The Collider 1 Haywood St, #401, Asheville, NC Two leading experts on food waste: James Beard Foundation’s V P of Impact, Katherine Miller, and American

Wasteland author, Jonathan Bloom, will present on matters related to climate change. Free, but limited seating.

> 877-235-3684 > earthequityadvisors.com / thecollider.org

november 9

Rowdown Throwdown

10AM-2PM South Slope CrossFit 217 Coxe Ave, Suite B, Asheville, NC Buncombe County Special Olympics and South Slope CrossFit are trying to raise $10,000 for a gym that serves persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Teams of 10 will row a marathon alongside beneficiaries of the program on indoor workout machines.

>Tickets: $50 apiece > 828-250-6706 > sonc.net/local-programs/buncombecounty/

november 9

Stay Small to Succeed

1-5PM

279 Snyder Lane Mills River 28759

MLS #3490154 10 Acres of professionally landscaped outdoor living space and gardens with renovated Cape Cod style farmhouse and workshop / studio.

4 Bedroom 2 Bath Approx. Sq. Ft. 2225

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 127

events

Mojo Coworking 60 N. Market St, #C200, Asheville, NC “A Workshop for Intentionally Small Business” will include marketing through set-it-and-forget-it emails, leveraging local calendars, and creating an automated client journey.

> Registration: Advance $35, Door $50 > 828-689-5787 > staysmalltosucceed.com

november 9, 16, 23

Guided History Walks in Hendersonville

10-11:30AM Hendersonville City Hall 145 5th Ave, Hendersonville, NC

Mary Jo Padgett will talk about steam engines, shoot-outs, and more that made the history around the depot and 7th Avenue colorful.

> Admission: Adult $10, Accompanied Child (0-9) FREE > 828-545-3179 > maryjopadgett.com

november 10

Pan Harmonia “Rubble Becomes Art”

3PM Biltmore United Methodist Church 376 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC One of two world premieres of the Pan Harmonia-commissioned music/poetry fusion project for mezzo soprano, flute, guitar, and bassoon, this will feature music by Katherine Hoover, Frederik Holm, and Gabriel Faure, as composed

by Dosia McKay along with poetry by NC writers Sally Atkins, Valerie Foote, and Cathy Larson Sky. It’s also 7:30PM, Nov. 8, at Black Mountain’s Saint James Episcopal Church.

> panharmonia.org/rubble-becomes-art 128

| November 2019

november 14

TAC Talk: Moonshine Tales & Tasting

6-7PM The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum 159 Ginny Stevens Lane, Blowing Rock, NC Moonshine is and has been a staple in our mountains for decades. This event will discuss the past and the present. If you are 21 or older, you can partake in tasting the legal stuff as well.

> Free for Members: $5 for nonmembers > blowingrockmuseum.org

november 14

Opening Day of Asheville Art Museum

11AM-9PM 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC

The long awaited reopening is here. A week of celebrations and events surround the general reopening for the public.

> Free general admission for members > ashevilleart.org november 15

Canadian Brass

8-10:30PM Wortham Center 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC The popular 5-piece ensemble does everything from baroque to Dixieland.

>Tickets: $20-$42 > 828-257-4530 > dwtheatre.com

Hickory Nut Gap Farm 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC Astronomer Stephan Martin will be on hand to answer questions about meteor showers and orient guests to the night sky, far from city lights.

> Admission: $6 > 828-628-1027 > hickorynutgap.com november 16

Creativity in Business

9AM-12PM A-B Tech Small Business Center 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler, NC

Get inspired to run your business in a different way. Instructor Chris Allen will be showing people how to overcome barriers to creativity in this free seminar.

> 828-271-4786 > asheville.score.org november 16

Masterworks 3: From Russia with Love

8-9:30PM Thomas Wolfe Auditorium 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC

This month’s performance of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra celebrates Russian composers Glinka and Tchaikovsky.

> 828-254-7046 >Ticket prices vary > ashevillesymphony.org november 16

november 16

Leonid Stargazing at the Farm

7:30-9PM

Vessels of Merriment

2-5PM Grovewood Gallery 111 Grovewood Rd, Asheville, NC

The third iteration features handcrafted drinking vessels by 16 artisans, several of whom will attend the free reception. The exhibition will run through December 31.

> 828-253-7651 > grovewood.com november 18 -19

DIY Tourism and Local Marketing Workshop

8AM-5PM (Mon), 8AM-3PM (Tue) Crowne Plaza Expo Center 1 Resort Dr, Asheville, NC

Chris Cavanaugh of Magellan Strategy Group and instructors from the JB Media Institute will provide tips on how to market businesses and events to tourists. Participants can choose the Beginner, Professional, or Industry Leader track.

Custom pools and spas.

We create unique backyard environments 1200-C Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC • 828-277-8041 • waterworkswnc.com Hot Tubs & Swim Spas by American Whirlpool

> Registration: $549-$599 > diytourismmarketing.com november 20

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon

11:30AM-1:30PM Crowne Plaza Expo Center 1 Resort Dr, Asheville, NC

The Western North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will honor the recipients of its 2019 awards. A three-course lunch will be served.

> Registration: $50 > afpwnc.org

– january 2 27th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition Display november 20

Your source for Hearth & Patio needs 264 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC | 828.252.2789

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 129

The Largest Consignment Store in WNC… 20,000 sq ft of shopping fun!

NEW & CONSIGNMENT FURNITURE!

events

Omni Grove Park Inn 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC The creations will have been judged November 18. Persons not staying overnight are only allowed access anytime Monday through Thursday or Sunday after 3PM. Blackout days are Nov. 27-28, Dec. 23-25 and 29-31, and Jan. 1. Half of parking proceeds benefit local nonprofits.

MON – SAT: 10 – 6

> Parking: Self $25, Valet $30 > 828-438-5800 > omnihotels.com november 20

Mountain Raise: Live Offering

5:30-8:30PM Highland Brewing Co. 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Ste.200, Asheville, NC

3699 Hendersonville Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732 (Clothing, decor, furniture & more!)

828-687-7565

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| November 2019

Mountain BizWorks, along with NCIDEA and HatchAVL Foundation, will showcase grads of the 2019 ScaleUp program—who will be demoing products—in order to present “an innovative take on pitch events where everyone in the room can become an investor” through networking and investment crowdfunding. RSVP early; limited seating.

> 828-347-6240 > mountain raise.org november 21

Cultural Competency & Diversity Workshop 9AM-3:30PM

Western Carolina University-AVL Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Pkwy #100, Asheville, NC Issues nonprofits face related to diversity will include the role of culture, alternative views, and differences when advancing mission and engaging in management practice. This is a standalone training session or for those taking part in the Certified Nonprofit Professional program at WCU.

> Registration: $89 (CNP course fee: $300) > 828-227-3070 > pdp.wcu.edu november 22

Opening Day

9AM-10PM

Appalachian Ski Mountain 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC

Apparel, Lingerie & Body-Safe Adult Toys

The first 100 guests to the cashier window get in free. App Ski Mountain has 12 different slopes for you to try out, and fingers crossed for real snow!

> 828-295-7828 > appskimtn.com november 23

How to Value a Business

9AM-12PM A-B Tech Small Business Center 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler, NC

After teaching basics in valuation, this free course will offer suggestions for increasing enterprise value that go beyond the obvious routines.

> 828-271-4786 > asheville.score.org november 23 & 24

Marshall Handmade Market

10AM-5PM Marshall High Studios 115 Blannahassatt Island Road, Marshall, NC Get started on your holiday shopping at this wonderful market.

An array of local creators will be selling their wares. Including pottery, apothecary items, baked goods, bags, paintings, and more. It's worth a trip just to enjoy Blannahassatt Island.

> marshallhandmade.com november 24

Les Violes Charmantes

3-5PM St. Giles Chapel, Deerfield 1617 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC Asheville Baroque Concerts presents duets for viola da gamba and harpsichord. The performers are: Elisabeth Reed, Gail Ann Schroeder, and Jennifer Streeter.

>Tickets: Advance $20, Door $25, Student $5 > 828-274-1531 > ashevillebaroque.org

VaVaVooom.com 131 November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 57 Broadway Street, Asheville

events

november 28

2nd Annual Biltmore Park Turkey Trot 9-10:30AM Fleet Feet Asheville: 8 Town Square Blvd, Asheville, NC

This is a USATF-certified 5k. Babies in strollers welcome; dogs will not be allowed on the course. Burn all the calories early, so you can be guilt free come turkey time.

> Early Registration: $30 > 828-676-3536 > idaph.net/turkey-trot-at-biltmore-park/ december 1

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 3PM & 7PM U.S. Cellular Center 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC The classic extravaganza celebrates Tchaikovsky’s grand score with disciplined ballet, over 200 elaborate costumes, and famous Russian puppetry.

>Tickets: $29-$79

> 828-259-5736 > uscellularcenterasheville.com

> blackmountainarts.org december 7

december 7- 8

The Big Crafty

24th Annual Montford Holiday Tour of Homes

12-6PM Pack Square Park 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC

1-5PM Asheville Visitors Center 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC

The free outdoor community bazaar features juried and handmade goods by local talent. Come find gifts for the holidays like paintings, glass-works, soaps, wood working, pottery, and more.

Ten homes of historical and/or architectural interest will be opened for a self-guided tour of the Montford Historic District. Annotated maps will be made available on tour day. Proceeds benefit neighborhood beautification projects.

> thebigcrafty.com december 7

A Slice of Life: Storytelling with Connie Regan-Blake

7:30-9PM Black Mountain Center for the Arts 225 West State St, Black Mountain, NC The public is invited to the live performance part of Connie’s three-day storytelling workshop.

> Admission: Advance $15, Door $20 > 828-669-0930

>Tickets: $25 > 828-258-6101 > montfordtour.com

If your organization has any local press releases for our briefs section, or events that you would like to see here, feel free to email us at events@capitalatplay.com.

Please submit your event at least six weeks in advance.

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(828) 808-5528

Securing Entrepreneurs’ Futures Through Professional Representation *VIKING DOES NOT CHARGE AN UPFRONT FEE OR RETAINER FOR SELL SIDE ADVISOR SERVICES. FREE VALUATIONS ARE PROVIDED TO QUALIFYING BUSINESSES.

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| November 2019

THE EXPERT IN MEN’S APPAREL:

For All Occasions

ASHEVILLE: Historic Biltmore Village • 9 Kitchin Place • 828-274-2630 STORE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9:30am-7pm • Sat. 9:30am-6pm • Sun. 12pm-5pm

November 2019 | capitalatplay.com 133

Memorable

Remembrances of a past with an eye toward the hopes that our tomorrows will bring.

Enjoy browsing cabinet after cabinet of yesterday's treasures, diamonds and gemstone jewelry lovingly refurbished to reveal a fresh glow... A fitting tribute to their past..

For thirteen years, we have been the area's leader in the buying and selling of high quality pre-owned diamonds and gemstone jewelry. We showcase a wide selection of hand-picked pieces including antique, vintage and modern, all priced well below current market.

Our expertise has spanned generations, dating from the 1920s in Boston to the Tampa Bay area.

Now, we celebrate our 13th anniversary in Historic Biltmore Village.

Historic Biltmore Village

2 Boston Way Asheville, NC 28803 828.274.7007

EstateJewelryLtd.com

We buy diamonds, fine jewelry and old gold.

Evaluations are free with no obligation and we know how to get you more when you sell.

Please call for an appointment 828.274.7007 134

| November 2019

...and lasts a lifetime.

The sky is the limit for your child at Carolina Day. Surrounded by experienced teaching professionals and bright, curious peers, your child’s potential is limitless. Our achievement-driven and human-centered approach to Academic Excellence, Character

CarolinaDay.org 828.407.4442

Development, and Arts & Athletics prepares students to achieve their highest aspirations for college and beyond. Begin the journey with a conversation and visit today.

November Asheville, North Carolina â “ College & Life Preparatory Since 19082019

| capitalatplay.com 135

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| November 2019

With our network of market leaders in over 55 countries, we’re able to expertly market your property here in the North Carolina mountains and throughout the world. Call us to learn how we can make our market share work for you. 866-716-5892