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Industry recruiters honor top partner

From left: Kelly Hopkin, Oriole Mill; Brett and Tori Shaffer, Morrow Insurance; Aaron Gogolin, Whole Log Lumber; Natalie Canipe, DHG; Jacob McMinn, Carolina Specialties; Vikki Bailey, Asheville Savings Bank; Sara Landry, Lenoir Rhyne University.

By Bill Moss, Published: October 11, 2016

GREEN RIVER — The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development last week recognized Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. as Partner of the Year for its corporate citizenship and its valuable assistance in recruiting new business.

The partnership held its annual event to thank supporters at Falling Creek Camp and amid a sensational outdoor setting held pre-dinner games, hosted a dinner catered by Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and bestowed its annual awards around a campfire.

Outgoing partnership chair Adam Shealey, an attorney with the Van Winkle Law Firm, relinquished the gavel to Will Buie, an engineer with WGLA firm. The partnership thanked departing board members Chip Gould, Cason Companies; Nathan Kennedy, BB&T; and Bill Harris (IMOCO) and recognized Christopher Chung, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, for his support of the county’s jobs recruiting efforts.

Sierra Nevada, which started production at its brewery here in 2013, has welcomed new industrial prospects every time they’ve been called upon, said Andrew Tate, president and CEO of the Henderson County partnership.
“We wanted what they’ve done not just by traditional measures but by working with the partnership on economic development,” Tate said. “They let us use their meeting rooms.” Industrial prospects “will get a private tour. They’ll talk to them about what it’s like since they’ve been here and how they’ve been treated.”
Stan Cooper, co-manager of the Mills River plant, said that Sierra Nevada had been more than satisfied with the reception the company got when it first arrived and the reception it’s received since it opened the brewery. Cooper reminded the crowd of Oktoberfest at Sierra Nevada this weekend. With a final song, camp was dismissed.