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Meet the 2025 Board of Directors Nominees
As the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge moves forward with renewed focus and resilience, we are proud to introduce the individuals who have been nominated to serve on our Board of Directors.
Each nominee brings a unique blend of experience, leadership, and passion for our community. From supporting local businesses and attracting visitors to championing recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, these candidates represent the diverse strengths and dedication needed to help guide the Chamber—and the entire Gorge—into a thriving future.
We invite you to learn more about each nominee below.
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Bryan Cole
Name: Bryan Cole
Business: Chimney Rock Smokehouse
Role/Title: Bar Manager
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? I was very involved in my Community in South Carolina. I would like to continue that here.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Business Development, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising & Sponsorships, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Growing the community back
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Kristan Holbert
Name: Kristan Holbert
Business: Red Mountain Hardware
Role/Title: Owner
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? To help the community any way I can.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Event planning
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: N/A
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Rebuild after the hurricane coupled with community hesitation.
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Betty Martinez Lowery
Name: Betty Martinez Lowery
Business: Lil's Thrift Shop
Role/Title: President, Board of Directors
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? I am committed to playing an active role in making our community a better place for all of us — not just some of us, but all of us. I feel the urgency to do my part more than ever post Hurricane Helene.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Business Development, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising & Sponsorships, Event Planning, Nonprofit/Board Leadership, Tourism & Hospitality, In my past roles at Disney, I did minority business development, as well as led the company’s corporate philanthropy and charitable giving.
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (Gubernatorial appointment, WMFE Public Television/Radio, Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund, Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, Community Based Care of Central Florida, Peace and Justice Institute of Valencia College, NAWBO, and more.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Currently, rebuilding/revitalizing in our post Hurricane Helene world.
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Asheton Rice
Name: Asheton Rice
Business: Lake Lure Pottery
Role/Title: Owner
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? To help and support the rebuild of Lake Lure/Chimney Rock. Provide insight from a business owners perspective. Help with social media aspect of attention and encouraging others to come support lake lure during this time
Skills/Past Experience Include: Marketing & Communications, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality,
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: N/A
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Oh my, I’m sure there are a million at this point. But mainly the road to chimney rock.
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Aubrey Winfrey
Name: Aubrey Winfrey
Business: Tanglewood Cabin LLC
Role/Title: Owner
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? I have a strong desire to help support the recovery of our community and feel I can contribute through getting involved with the Chamber.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Marketing & Communications, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: Previously served on community HOA board and Police Department oversight board in previous communities.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: I believe our biggest challenge of rebuilding our community and effectively communicating that progress with potential visitors is also our biggest opportunity. Securing available funding should be of highest priority.
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William Frykberg
Name: William Frykberg
Business: JJ Five LLC (dba LogFinish.com)
Role/Title: Sales & Marketing MGR
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? Many of the Chamber's key members have lost their businesses due to Hurricane Helene.
The Chamber Board needs people who had no hurricane losses and have the time to donate to the Chamber.Skills/Past Experience Include: Business Development, Marketing & Communications, Event Planning, Former Chairman Rutherford County EDC 20066-2009
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: Chairman Rutherford County EDC 2006-2009 Worked on Funding for Corp 74 Business Park
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Funding for operations after hurricane losses.
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Mariah Leahy
Name: Mariah Leahy
Business: The Lake Lure Group
Role/Title: Realtor
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? To help support local business and create a more cohesive relationship with the community.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Business Development, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising & Sponsorships, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: N/A
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: I believe we have the greatest opportunity to promote our area and businesses that will strengthen the community. It's imperative that we create and properly communicate all of the different businesses, events, things to do while we continue to support our local economy and regain our tourism.
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Melissa Price
Name: Melissa Price
Business: Exclusive Mountain Properties of Lake Lure, N.C.LLC
Role/Title: Owner/Property Manager
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? As a life-long resident of Lake Lure, and a business owner here for the last 18 years, I want to be a part of it's continued growth and development, and help make decisions that are best for every business in our area. It's time for me to give back.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Marketing & Communications, Financial Management, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: I served on the finance committee at my church (Bat Cave Baptist) for approx 7 years and managed their finances using their software for the last 3 years that I attended there.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: At this particular time, it's working toward bringing our entire area ''back'' to pre-Helene, so that we can (1) welcome visitors (2) entice new businesses to join the efforts (3) provide support to the current businesses who are striving to re-build or re-open.
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Lyn Weaver
Name: Lyn Weaver
Business: Premier Sotheby's International Realty
Role/Title: Broker
Why are you interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors? To become more involved in the community as we chart the new waters (no pun intended). To help promote businesses in our area.
Skills/Past Experience Include: Financial Management, Fundraising & Sponsorships, Event Planning, Tourism & Hospitality
Previously Served On Nonprofit Boards: N/A
What do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our Chamber: Bringing the communities of the HNG together in order to maintain cohesiveness and community involvement.
