LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD

View Agendas & Minutes
Pictured Left to Right, Back Row: Bill Osborne, William Wheeler, Rocky Buchanan, Tom Hartman, Otis Church, Paul Robinson Jr. Front Row: Jim Blevins, Tim Futrelle, Todd McNeill, Dennis Aldridge, Jeff Whitson, Mike Inscore, Brenda Lyerly, Charles E. Vines, Kevin Reece, Jeff Hedrick Not Pictured: Wes Brinegar, Larry Fontaine, Gunther Jochl, Mark Johnston, Doug Matheson, Kelly Melang, Derek Roberts, Eddie Settle, Larry Turnbow, Joel Whitley, Eddie Yarber.

Pictured Left to Right, Back Row: Bill Osborne, William Wheeler, Rocky Buchanan, Tom Hartman, Otis Church, Paul Robinson Jr. Front Row: Jim Blevins, Tim Futrelle, Todd McNeill, Dennis Aldridge, Jeff Whitson, Mike Inscore, Brenda Lyerly, Charles E. Vines, Kevin Reece, Jeff Hedrick

Not Pictured: Wes Brinegar, Larry Fontaine, Gunther Jochl, Mark Johnston, Doug Matheson, Kelly Melang, Derek Roberts, Eddie Settle, Larry Turnbow, Joel Whitley, Eddie Yarber.


Todd McNeill, Commissioner Chair

Ashe County

Doug Matheson, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Blowing Rock

Dennis Aldridge, Commissioner

Avery County

Larry Fontaine, Mayor

Town of Seven Devils

Paul Robinson Jr., Member

Minority Representative

Timmy Evans, Commissioner

Alleghany County

Wes Brinegar, Mayor

Town of Sparta

Jim Blevins, 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

Steve Pitman, Commissioner Chair

Mitchell County

Charles Vines, Mayor

Town of Bakersville

Rocky Buchanan, Council Member

Town of Spruce Pine

Larry Turnbow, Commissioner Chair

Watauga County

Kelly Melang, Council Member

Town of Beech Mountain

Tim Futrelle, Mayor

Town of Boone

Stoney Greene, Commissioner Vice Chair

Wilkes County

Otis Church, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of North Wilkesboro

JoAnn Royal, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Ronda

Mike Inscore, Mayor

Town of Wilkesboro

Jeff Whitson, Commissioner Chair

Yancey County

William (Bill) Wheeler, Council Member

Town of Burnsville

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


Todd McNeill

Chair

Todd McNeill currently serves as chairman of the Ashe County Board of Commissioners. He began his tenure as commissioner in January 2018, being appointed to fill a vacancy, then was elected for his first 4 year term the following November. He has served as chairman of the Ashe County Board since December 2018.  Todd, a small business owner and entrepreneur, and his wife Maggie live in the Grassy Creek community of Ashe County. They have 5 children; Henry, Libby Jean, Sarah Lane, Beau, and Will. Todd grew up in Ashe County, attending Ashe Central High School and later graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in public relations.

“The collaboration of local governments throughout the High Country region continues to make our corner of North Carolina an even better place to live and work. Serving Ashe County and the High Country is one of the greatest honors of my life!”




Doug Matheson

Vice-Chair

Doug Matheson is currently Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Blowing Rock and has served for 11 years. He has served on the HCCOG board for 3 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 1 great grandchild.

“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

Secretary

Dennis Aldridge is currently serving his first 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

Treasurer

Larry Fontaine is currently serving as Mayor of the Town of Seven Devils. He has served in this capacity for the past 10 years. Larry was previously a member of the Seven Devils Planning Board. Larry has been a member of the HCCOG for 10 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.”



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, Eddie Settle


Todd McNeill, Commissioner Chair

Ashe County

Doug Matheson, Mayor Pro Tem

Town of Blowing Rock

Dennis Aldridge, Commissioner

Avery County

Larry Fontaine, Mayor

Town of Seven Devils

Charles E. Vines, Mayor

Town of Bakersville

Brenda Lyerly, Mayor

Town of Banner Elk

Stoney Greene, Commissioner, Vice-Chair

Wilkes County

Wes Brinegar, Mayor

Town of Sparta

Jeff Whitson, Commissioner Chair

Yancey County

Tim Futrelle, Mayor

Town of Boone

Mike Inscore, Mayor

Town of Wilkesboro

Tom Hartman, Mayor

Town of West Jefferson