LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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Pictured Left to Right: Stoney Greene, Otis Church, Paul Robinson Jr., Doug Matheson, Wes Brinegar, Bill Wheeler, Larry Fontaine, Brenda Lyerly, Tim Futrelle, Todd McNeill, Dennis Aldridge, Jeff Whitson, Mike Inscore, Brenda Lyerly, Charles E. Vines, Jeff Whitson, Dennis Aldridge, Tim Futrelle, Steve Pitman, Todd McNeill. Not Pictured: Timmy Evans, Rocky Buchanan, Jim Blevins, Tom Hartman, JoAnn Royal, Gunther Jochl, Peter Eller, Kelly Melang, Derek Roberts, Mike Inscore, Larry Turnbow, Joel Whitley, Eddie Yarber.

Photo taken at the 2023 Annual Banquet

Pictured Left to Right: Stoney Greene, Otis Church, Paul Robinson Jr., Doug Matheson, Wes Brinegar, Bill Wheeler, Larry Fontaine, Brenda Lyerly, Charles E. Vines, Jeff Whitson, Dennis Aldridge, Tim Futrelle, Steve Pitman, Todd McNeill.

Not Pictured: Timmy Evans, Rocky Buchanan, Teresa McCoy, Tom Hartman, Chandler Reece, Harley Masters, Gunther Jochl, Peter Eller, Kelly Melang, Derek Roberts, Dale Isom, Ray Russell, Joel Whitley, Eddie Yarber.


Doug Matheson, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Blowing Rock

Dennis Aldridge, Commissioner

Avery County

Larry Fontaine, Mayor

Town of Seven Devils

Jeff Whitson, Commissioner Chair

Yancey County

Paul Robinson Jr., Member

Minority Representative

Timmy Evans, Commissioner

Alleghany County

Wes Brinegar, Mayor

Town of Sparta

Todd McNeill, Commissioner Chair

Ashe County

Teresa McCoy, Alderman

Town of Lansing

Tom Hartman, Mayor

Town of West Jefferson

Peter Eller, Mayor

Town of Jefferson

Brenda Lyerly, Mayor

Town of Banner Elk

Eddie Yarber, Mayor

Town of Crossnore

Joel Whitley, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Elk Park

Derek Roberts, Mayor

Town of Newland

Gunther Jöchl, Mayor

Village of Sugar Mountain

Harley Masters, Commissioner Chair

Mitchell County

Charles Vines, Mayor

Town of Bakersville

Rocky Buchanan, Council Member

Town of Spruce Pine

Ray Russell, Commissioner

Watauga County

Kelly Melang, Council Member

Town of Beech Mountain

Tim Futrelle, Mayor

Town of Boone

Stoney Greene, Commissioner Chair

Wilkes County

Otis Church, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of North Wilkesboro

Chandler Reece, Commissioner

Town of Ronda

Dale Isom, Mayor

Town of Wilkesboro

William (Bill) Wheeler, Council Member

Town of Burnsville

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


Doug Matheson

Chair

Doug Matheson is currently Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Blowing Rock and has served for 15 years. He has served on the HCCOG board for 6 years. Doug is a native of Watauga county where he retired from the State after 38 years (16 with Appalachian State University). He is also a retired Fire Chief of Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue, having served the department for 30 years. Doug and his wife Barbara have 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

“I’m very honored to be a part of HCCOG and looking forward to working with all members for the continued success of the region.”




Dennis Aldridge

Vice-Chair

Dennis Aldridge is currently serving his second term as an Avery county commissioner. He previously served on the Avery Economic Development Board for 6 years and is currently serving on the MAY Coalition board and is chairperson of the Avery JCPC. Dennis has served as a bi-vocational pastor for 30 years and is currently pastoring at Linville Falls Community Church. Dennis has an A.S. from Lees-McRae College, a B.S. from Gardner-Webb College and a M.A. from Trinity Theological Seminary. Dennis is married to Cindy and his hobbies include restoring vehicles and building projects.

“I decided to run for commissioner not because I wanted to as much as that I felt I needed to in order to use my learned body of knowledge to benefit the people of Avery County.  After traveling and living other places, I have never been prouder to be called a native of Avery County.”




Larry Fontaine

Secretary

Larry Fontaine is currently serving as Mayor of the Town of Seven Devils. He has served in this capacity for the past 12 years. Larry was previously a member of the Seven Devils Planning Board. Larry has been a member of the HCCOG for 12 years as well. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts. He was a small business owner serving the gas and petrochemical industry in Louisiana for 25 years. Larry and his wife, Anne, have been married for 41 years and have two children, and five grandchildren all residing in the Boone/Blowing Rock area.

“I have always enjoyed being a member of the Executive Board and I’m very proud of the work being done on behalf of the elderly and unemployed and of its expertise in obtaining grants for the betterment and enhancement of our community.  I look forward to serving with the other members of the Advisory Committee.”




Jeff Whitson

Treasurer

Jeff Whitson has been a Yancey County Commissioner for 12 years and has served as the Board Chairman for the past 3.5 years. He has served on the HCCOG Executive Board for 2.5 years. Jeff is a lifelong resident of Yancey County and has served his community in various ways. Jeff is married to his wife Lisa of 33 years with 7 children and 5 grandchildren. He has operated the family business for 31 years and recently retired to pursue other ventures in life. Jeff is a U.S. Airforce Veteran and a very active member of Little Ivy Baptist Church in Mars Hill, NC where he serves as Trustee, Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, and Bus Driver.

“I am proud and honored to be able to serve on the HCCOG Executive Board and look forward to continued service to the High Country region. My desire is to make a positive impact for the citizens we serve.”



ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Pictured Left to Right: Tim Futrelle, Todd McNeill, Dennis Aldridge, Tom Hartman, Jeff Whitson, Mike Inscore, Brenda Lyerly, Charles E. Vines

Not Pictured: Wes Brinegar, Larry Fontaine, Doug Matheson, Stoney Greene


Doug Matheson, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Blowing Rock

Dennis Aldridge, Commissioner

Avery County

Larry Fontaine, Mayor

Town of Seven Devils

Jeff Whitson, Commissioner Chair

Yancey County

Charles E. Vines, Mayor

Town of Bakersville

Brenda Lyerly, Mayor

Town of Banner Elk

Todd McNeill, Commissioner Chair

Ashe County

Stoney Greene, Commissioner Chair

Wilkes County

Wes Brinegar, Mayor

Town of Sparta

Tim Futrelle, Mayor

Town of Boone

Tom Hartman, Mayor

Town of West Jefferson