Western North Carolina is entering a season of remembrance and renewal one year after Hurricane Helene. While the region continues to heal, stories of resilience, innovation and community strength are emerging in every corner of the mountains. To better serve our partners and the media, Explore Asheville is shifting from a centralized media center to direct, one-to-one support. This approach ensures journalists have timely access to the people, places and assets they need to tell stories that matter, highlighting both the progress made and the work still ahead.
We have kept the proposed topics and speakers visible so you can identify the storylines that align best with your coverage. Please share with us any particular areas of interest, and our team will provide support by offering additional story ideas, background details, and direct contact information. This way, you’ll have quick access to the people and perspectives that were and are part of Western North Carolina’s recovery.
Email: kmccurry@exploreasheville.com
Joe Scully is co-owner and head chef of The Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village, which reopened Aug. 11 after extensive repairs from Hurricane Helene.
Mici Canales is the Director of Marketing for Visit Smokies, where she leads regional campaigns to promote the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina as the “Outdoor Megacenter of the South.”
George C. Minges, PE. currently serves as the Hurricane Helene Debris Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Western North Carolina. This position is the civilian lead for the debris removal mission.
Julie Ransdell is a co-owner of Terra Nova Beer Co., which operates a brewery in South Slope and a tap house in Swannanoa.
Corrina Ruffieux, Executive Director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, dba Visit Haywood, brings over 25 years of tourism leadership to her role.
Bill Quade serves as Director of Horticulture for Biltmore and is responsible for maintaining the natural beauty of the estate and its historic authenticity.
Chase Pickering, great-great-grandson of George Vanderbilt, serves as Vice President of Guest Experience at Biltmore.
Jeremy Knighton, Chief of Emergency Management for Asheville Fire, has 23 years of service. A Certified Emergency Manager, he’s led major disaster responses and during Hurricane Helene served as EOC Manager and Deputy IC.
Tina Kinsey is Chief Administrative Officer at Asheville Regional Airport, bringing 30+ years of experience in marketing, business development, and airport leadership, with national recognition in aviation.
Chief Steven R. Parker, with 33+ years in law enforcement and 11 as Chief of Police, leads Black Mountain PD. An FBI Academy grad, he’s earned state and national honors, including awards from NC’s AG, Special Olympics, and Congress.
As French Broad Paddle Trail Manager, Jack partners with groups to enhance river access, campsites, and signage, while leading cleanups and events.
Lisa Raleigh, a Montana native and environmental scientist, brings decades of nonprofit, fundraising, and PR leadership to RiverLink as Executive Director.
Deputy Chief Sean Aardema has served with the Asheville Police Department since 1999. An Asheville native, he has led patrol, investigations, and professional standards units, and is an FBI-LEEDA Trilogy graduate with a degree from A-B Tech.
Wit Tuttell was named Executive Director of Visit North Carolina in November 2013. He oversees the strategic planning, policy development, and marketing initiatives for North Carolina's official state tourism office and the industry sectors it serves.
Vic Isley is President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. A leader in destination marketing, she’s guided recovery efforts from 9/11 to Hurricane Helene and earned national recognition for her vision.
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