Central Regional Office

MountainTrue's Central Regional Office and headquarters is located in Asheville, serving all 26 counties in our organization's footprint.
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About the Central Regional Office

29 N. Market Street, Suite 610
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-8737

The Central Regional Office partners with and serves communities in Buncombe, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey counties through the following programs and initiatives:

 

Central Region Team

Bob Wagner

Bob Wagner

Executive Director

Gray Jernigan

Gray Jernigan

Deputy Director & General Counsel

Karim Olaechea

Karim Olaechea

Deputy Director of Strategy & Communications

Adam Bowers

Adam Bowers

Development Director

Anna Alsobrook

Anna Alsobrook

French Broad Riverkeeper

Susan Bean

Susan Bean

Housing & Transportation Director

Hartwell Carson

Hartwell Carson

Clean Waters Director

Gina Elrod

Gina Elrod

Resilient Forests Organizer

Amy Finkler

Amy Finkler

Development & Engagement Manager

Jack Henderson

Jack Henderson

French Broad Paddle Trail Manager

Megan Huske

Megan Huske

River Clean-up Program Assistant

Chris Joyell

Chris Joyell

Healthy Communities Director

Josh Kelly

Josh Kelly

Resilient Forests Director

Julie Lehman

Julie Lehman

Creation Care Alliance Engagement Manager

Julie Mayfield

Julie Mayfield

Senior Policy Advisor

Greg Parlier

Greg Parlier

Marketing & Debris Cleanup Communications Manager

Jon Stamper

Jon Stamper

River Cleanup Coordinator

Sydney Swafford

Sydney Swafford

Development & Operations Coordinator

Linda Tatsapaugh

Linda Tatsapaugh

Organizing Manager

Maddy Watson

Maddy Watson

Communications Manager

Volunteer with us!

We have many regular volunteer opportunities throughout the warmer months – visit our events calendar to view upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please note that volunteer event dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. 

Central Region News

‘Energy Solutions’ Bill Sets North Carolina on Path to Carbon Neutrality by 2050

‘Energy Solutions’ Bill Sets North Carolina on Path to Carbon Neutrality by 2050

On Wednesday, October 13, Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill called “Energy Solution for North Carolina” or HB 951. Standing behind a podium bearing the words Securing Our Clean Energy Future, Cooper confidently asserted “ … today I will sign a historic bill that gives us an extraordinary new tool in our fight against climate change. Today, North Carolina moves strongly into a reliable and affordable clean energy future.”

Clearly, this wasn’t the same HB 951 that had been negotiated behind closed doors by House Republicans, Duke Energy, and other industry groups and passed by the House on a 57-49 vote in July.

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Join Us for an Annual Member Gathering in Your Area!

Join Us for an Annual Member Gathering in Your Area!

We are excited to be gathering in person this year to connect with you, our members, to celebrate our award winners and see each others’ smiling faces!
In light of the current rate of COVID infections and the situation in hospitals across our region, we have chosen to host multiple, smaller, outdoor events in place of one large gathering. We are also requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to participate. If you are not vaccinated, you will have an opportunity to vote for new and returning board members online.

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Stand Up for these Principles at a Comprehensive Planning Meeting

Stand Up for these Principles at a Comprehensive Planning Meeting

MountainTrue is encouraging our members and supporters to take an active role in several comprehensive planning efforts throughout our region. These comprehensive plans are an important opportunity for you to have a voice in how our local governments grow and develop. As a resource, we’ve provided a set of principles that local governments should adhere to in order to meet the challenges of climate change, a growing population and increased pressures on our built environment.

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Our Recommendation for the Henderson County Community Survey

Our Recommendation for the Henderson County Community Survey

Henderson Country has kicked off its Comprehensive Planning effort with a Community Survey. This is an important opportunity for you to have a voice in how our county grows and develops to meet the challenges of climate change, a growing population, and increased pressures on our built and natural environments. Check out our guide for members and supporters of MountainTrue who want to see our community grow sustainably and responsibly.

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Senate Budget Includes Enviro Investments. Will the House Follow?

Senate Budget Includes Enviro Investments. Will the House Follow?

This year’s state budget could include crucial investments in water quality, the environment, and public lands. We need your help to win support for much-needed funding to clean up WNC rivers and protect our environment. Take action today and help us win a better budget for our communities and the environment.

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