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Fletcher Business

Chamber honors broadcaster with top award

Art Cooley, who has served his hometown for more than 60 years in radio broadcasting, business development and civic life, was honored Friday night as the G. Ray Cantrell Award winner at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Blue Ridge Conference Hall at BRCC. The 95th annual Chamber Dinner and Awards program also honored Bob Wiliford for his 20th anniversary as chamber president, thanked 2017 chamber Chairman Dave Modaff and heard from 2018 Chairman Michael Thompson. A graduate of Hendersonville High School and UNC-Chapel Hill, Cooley served in the U.S. Army. His community service includes Hendersonville Country Club and Hendersonville Lions Club president and serving on the boards of Carolina Village, Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross and Jaycees. He has also served as president of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and was involved in radio station ownership in Hendersonville, Canton, Brevard and Tryon. He helped bring cable television to Henderson County as an owner of Cablevision, the first cable provider in the county. He co-founded an outdoor advertising company that operated for 25 years and was a member of the investor group that purchased the Skyland Hotel in the mid 1970s and changed it from a summer hotel to year round condominiums. He was inducted into the NC Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Hendersonville High School Hall of Fame in 2007. He has two daughters.The lifetime achievement award honors a person who has made outstanding contributions. It was started in 1996 to honor the many years of service to the chamber and the community provided by Ray Cantrell, who served as executive vice president of the chamber from 1959 until 1999. Past recipients include Duane McKibbin, R.E. Harmon, Dan Gibson, Sam McGuirt Jr., Bill Stokes Jr., Bill McKay, Tom Shepherd, Albert Gooch Jr., Dan Waddell, Herb Young, Jim Crafton, Bill Lapsley, David Reeves, Bill McGee, Rob Cranford, Roger Hill, Bud Hunter, Jim Maher, Jeff Egolf, Fred Pittillo and Ervin Bazzle. Camp Industry Leadership Karl and Shelley Alexander, owners of Camp Highlander, were honored as the recipients of the Camp Industry Leadership Award.In Henderson County there are more than 20 Youth Summer Camps that have a combined economic impact of more than $120 million per year. A 2011, NC State University Economic Impact Study of the industry in Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson and Transylvania Counties found that camps account for 10,335 Full Time Equivalent Jobs – Beyond Camp Staff, $33 million in tax revenue and an overall economic impact of $365 million.“In 1970, at age 20, Karl asked his dad to help him buy the all-boys sleepaway camp in western North Carolina where he had been a camper and counselor. His dad told him NO and to go get a real job.”So he worked as a loan officer, owned a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership and did marketing for a Louisiana company that turns rice hulls into energy.However, camp kept calling because Karl and Shelley had long dreamed of owning and operating a summer camp of their own with the hope of making a positive impact on the lives of children.After many years of prayer and waiting, they finally fulfilled their dream in November of 2000 when they purchased Camp Highlander, a coed residential camp in Mills River.Karl, Shelley, their five daughters (then ages 13 to 23) packed up and moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.In the early years Karl and Shelley plowed a lot of their operating income back into improvements – adding 70 adjoining acres to the original 170 for a total of 240 pristine acres on the banks of the South Mills River.Since then, they have dedicated themselves to improving and expanding the Highlander experience as they seek to live out the camp mission of building boys and girls of courage, honesty, integrity and faith, and helping them become all that God intends them to be. Ambassador of the Year  Ambassador of the Year Award was chosen from among four quarterly winners: Chuck Hill of Chuck Hill Photography, Susan Elmer with Warren Restoration, John Powers with Advantage Direct and Krystal Romps with ServPro of Henderson County.Points are awarded to Ambassadors that assist at Chamber events, attend ribbon cuttings and grand openings, serve as greeters at Business After Hours and other events as well as making personal contacts to welcome new members to the Chamber. The winner was Hill, a Chamber Ambassador since early 2015. A professional photographer, he takes the majority of the Chamber’s ribbon cutting and groundbreaking photos along with photographing several of our annual events.   Duke Energy Citizenship Award   The  Duke Energy Citizenship Award went to state Rep. Chuck McGrady. The award honors an individual who through volunteerism and community service has gone beyond the usual call of duty to make our community a better place. Born in Baltimore, McGrady graduated from the Mercer University School of Law and worked as a corporate counsel. Moving to Henderson County, he operated Falling Creek Youth Summer Camp and served as president of the Sierra Club from 1998 until 2000. From 2009 -2010 he was the Executive Director of the NC Youth Camp Association.


He also served on the Village of Flat Rock Council from 1997 until 2001 and was served on the Henderson County Board of Commissioners and from 2004 to 2010, when he was elected to the state House of Representatives. Education Champion Award Curt & Sue Marker were honored with the Education Champion Award. Developed by the Chamber’s Education Committee and Board of Directors in 2001 to honor individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to our community’s educational systems, recipients have made Henderson County home to one of the best public school systems in North Carolina.Curtis H. Marker attained a B.S in Engineering from Purdue (1965) and an MBA from Northwestern (1967) and went on to a thirty-one year career with ExxonMobil in the international oil business. Sue was an elementary school teacher for many years. Curt & Sue have two adopted children – a son from Japan and a daughter from Indonesia. They searched for the perfect place to retire and found it in Hendersonville. In retirement he has served on the board of the Children and Family Resource Center and in numerous positions on the boards and committees of his local country club and property owners association, Champion Hills. Curt is currently on the board of the Henderson County Education Foundation where he serves as treasurer and chair of the HCEF Golf Classic. They established The Marker Science Scholarship in 2006 with the Henderson County Education Foundation. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board for one student majoring in science. The scholarship still exists today and has been awarded to 7 individuals, totaling over $150,000 in awards.  In 2017, they joined the Education Foundation’s effort to expand the Leader in Me initiative in Henderson County Public Schools by sponsoring Upward Elementary to implement the model, an over $70,000 investment. When Curt had the opportunity to speak to the Upward Elementary school staff in June of this past year, he said, “by embarking on this mission to transform the culture of your school, you will make them better human beings and students. The new culture you create will have a positive impact on every child who walks through the doors and the thousands of students who will follow them in years ahead.”   Environmental & Sustainability Award The recipient of the 2017 Environmental & Sustainability Award is a company that has deep roots in Henderson County. Wilsonart, a global manufacturer of high pressure laminates, headquartered in Texas, open a facility in Fletcher in 1979 to meet growing demands for its product. It quickly grew to become one of Henderson County’s largest employers and continues to play an important role in our community’s success.Wilsonart practices Zero Waste: No unnecessary materials or processes; Zero Impact: Environmentally responsible materials; Zero Barriers: Individual growth and engagement.As a corporation Wilsonart is the first North American laminate manufacturer to achieve Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification. Locally, the company has recycled almost 7.6 million pounds in 2017 — 675,000 pounds from new materials that had not been recycled before; saved 49,000 trees and 9,294 cubic yards of landfill space by baling and recycling paper; achieved Greenguard Gold Certification for low chemical emissions on all of its laminate products; installed 2,964 300-watt solar panels and 27 28,000 Watt Inverters, producing over 1 million KW in each of the past three years for an energy cost savings averaging over $80,000 per year.   Amazing Customer Service Award   This year’s recipient is Summey Plumbing & Heating, a third generation Henderson County company founded in 1954 when Harold Summey and a partner purchased a 30-year old contracting firm on King Street. They successfully operated the business through 1975 when sons Steve and Jack Summey took the reins and incorporated Summey Plumbing & Heating, Inc. The company continued to grow moving to a larger location on King Street in 1976 and finally settling in to their current Greenville Highway location in 1987. Their road to amazing customer service began in 1995 when the company started a service department to better serve customers and complement the contracting business. Today Keith and Mike Summey operate the business along with longtime employee Norma Corn. Employee morale and engagement play a critical role in Summey’s customer service culture. A social media review sums up the Summey secret. “It is intimidating to try and find a plumber. I have had to call on this business three times in the past five years. Every single time, I have been met with professionalism, knowledge, punctuality, and great people. They take time to explain the problem. They give options for the solution that will fit your budget. They do not overcharge. In an emergency, which I have had once, they are at your house ASAP. Every person who works there that I have been contact with is amazing, from the owners, to the technicians, to the receptionists. I cannot recommend this company highly enough.” Past recipients include Louis Williams & Sons, Miller’s Fine Dry Cleaning
, Summit Marketing Group, the 1898 Waverly Inn
, the Flat Rock Playhouse, Southern Alarm & Security
, Whitley/Economy Drugs, Friday Staffing Services
,AutoWorx, Mind Your Business, 
Morrow Insurance, Brookdale Hendersonville East, the City of Hendersonville, Chick-fil-A of Hendersonville. Industrialist of the Year The 2017 Industrialist of the Year and first ever two-time winner of the award was Brian Cavagnini of Meritor.The award goes to manufacturing leaders who have been instrumental in rowing their company’s presence in Henderson County by increasing investment and creating jobs., leading in their specific field of work and giving back and investing in our local community. Over the past two  years, Meritor has invested over $30 million in state of the art equipment and new processes to upgrade their operations. The company has added over 100 good paying jobs over these past 2 years. The company is a proud supporter of Henderson County. Many of their employees are volunteers, serving on many community organization committees and boards. In fact, the plant has been recognized as the largest corporate sponsor for United Way for the past 3 years.Cavagnini is currently on the Board of Directors at the Chamber and has previously served on the United Way Board.He has been the director of company’s Carolina Enterprise — responsible for both the facility in Fletcher and a facility in Forest City. 

He and his wife Karen are the proud of parents of six children.Previous recipients include 
Paul Morse - GE Lighting, Dr. Molly Parkhill - BRCC, 
Dan O’Connell - UPM Raflatac, Pete Szalwach - Lassonde Pappas, 
and Tammy Albrecht - Wilsonart. Small Business Leader of the Year   The Small Business Leader of the Year award is given to a company that has served Henderson County for more than three years, has grown to employ workers in our community and has given back to the community through non-profit avenues. Southern Appalachian Brewery is the 2017 recipient. Owned and operated by Andrew and Kelly Cubbin, Southern App produces quality, craft beer for the tasting room as well as local bars and restaurants. Since they opened six years ago, they have continued to expand their distribution as far east at Wilmington and into South Carolina including Hilton Head. An equally important focus has always been to serve their community. Kelly and Andrew strive to create a comfortable, family and pet friendly environment in the tasting room.Southern Appalachian Brewery hosts numerous fundraisers for local non-profits including Council on Aging, Blue Ridge Humane Society, Homes for Youth, Pisgah Legal Services, Land of Sky Regional Council and many others. They are also very generous donors of product for gifts and events including tonight’s Chamber Annual Dinner. The other 2017 quarterly recipients were Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique, the Blood Connection and 
Hulsey Media.         Read Story »

Hendersonville Business

Excursion train advocate envisions entertainment car

Larry Morton, the Johnny Appleseed of train travel between Hendersonville and Asheville, told Asheville transportation planners that he’s gotten nothing but enthusiastic responses for the idea of an excursion train.   Read Story »

Henderson County Business

First Bank appoints branch manager

First Bank announced the appointment of Brittany Marshall as branch manager overseeing its Hendersonville office. In her new role, Marshall will be responsible for the day to day management of the Hendersonville branch, focusing on serving the needs of current customers while also developing new relationships with businesses in the area. With an extensive banking background, she brings a wealth of financial knowledge as well as local market expertise to the bank. A resident of Hendersonville, Marshall has more than 13 years of banking experience including customer service and retail sales management in the Hendersonville market. “We are thrilled to have Brittany’s experience, talent and skills at First Bank,” said First Bank Regional Executive Joe Ward. “Brittany also shares our bank’s core values to serve customers with honesty, integrity and a focus on doing the right thing for both our customers and the community. All of these factors combined make Brittany a great addition to our team.” Marshall is also a passionate community advocate and spends much of her personal time volunteering to help others. She currently volunteers with the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and the Hendersonville Rotary Club. “Prior to taking on this role, I was familiar with the bank’s reputation as a company that truly cares about the local community and about giving back,” Marshall said in a news release. “I look forward to making a positive impact on customers by providing sound financial advice and helping them realize their dreams, which in turn will help make Henderson County a stronger community and a better place to live.” On Oct. 1, First Bank completed its acquisition of Asheville Savings Bank, acquiring 13 branches in western North Carolina, including the Hendersonville location that Marshall will manage. These branches will complete their conversion to First Bank locations on March 16. Headquartered in Southern Pines, First Bancorp operates 104 First Bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and has total assets of approximately $5.4 billion.   Read Story »

Laurel Park Business

Laurel Park OKs development on U.S. 64

LAUREL PARK — The Laurel Park Town Council voted unanimously to approve the development application for the Cottages at Arcadia Views during a meeting Tuesday morning at First Congregational Church.   Read Story »

Flat Rock Business

Fairfield Inn opens Friday

The 84-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at 836 Upward Road, scheduled to open Friday, offers amenities that include an indoor pool and free hot breakfast.   Read Story »

Henderson County Business

Developer back for third try for Horse Shoe Farm permit

HORSE SHOE — A Miami developer who has been turned back twice in applications for large-scale building plans has filed a revised master plan for 132 residential dwellings at Horse Shoe Farm.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Business

Planning Board recommends 67-home subdivision on Howard Gap Road

Turning aside neighbors’ concerns about traffic and flooding, the Hendersonville Planning Board on Monday recommended that the City Council OK a development of 67 homes on a 16.6-acre site near a Clear Creek floodplain.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Business

After sale of mill, City Council takes up development agreement

The city took a major step forward in the pursuit of a Grey Hosiery Mill development when it closed last week on the sale of the property to a Carrboro developer that plans a hotel and conference space. The city sold the 2.3-acre property and the historic hosiery mill for $1 million to Grey Mill Venture LLC, a subsidiary of Belmont Sayre, which the City Council selected for the project last summer. “As I told the council today we still have work to do but it is a very big step toward development of the Grey hotel,” City Manager John Connet said Friday a few hours after the sale closed. “We’ll take each step and we’ll keep working toward it. We think this is a positive sign.” The city has owned the property since 1990 and has been pursuing a development arrangement since that time. It’s as close as it’s been to a deal. The City Council on Thursday night will take up a proposed agreement that spells out the developer’s obligations to invest $11 million to $13½ million in an adaptive reuse that will transform the 102-year-old brick structure into a hotel with 57 rooms and 2,100 square feet of event space. Under the contract, the city commits to streetscape improvements on Fourth Avenue East from North Grove Street to North Main Street. The city has also received preliminary approval for a $500,000 community development block grant that will become a forgivable loan to Belmont Sayre if it meets job creation targets. “One of the things we’re working through is a development agreement,” Connet said. “He’s still getting his construction numbers in place. He did a very conservative estimate of $13½ million. We think the numbers will come in below that. We’ll have that finally worked out by Thursday night. I think there’s some final tweaks that will be made before we get there Thursday night.” The agreement requires the developer to start project development by June 30 of this year, start construction by Jan. 1, 2019, and “use commercially reasonable best efforts” to complete construction by Oct. 1, 2019. The developer also must display historical photos of the mill and text describing its history in a convenient and accessible place within the hotel. The city agrees to streetscape improvements for two blocks of Fourth Avenue East including pedestrian level lighting, enhanced crosswalks and improved sidewalks. Belmont Sayre’s proposal for a 57-room boutique hotel and an event space for 70 people hotel fell short of the City Council’s vision of a 130-room facility with event space for up to 300 people. But the Carrboro group’s proposal matched the council’s criteria better than those of other bidders. Built in 1915, the Grey Hosiery Mill added additions in 1919 and 1947 before closing in 1967. The city bought the mill building in 1990. It bought an adjoining lot in May 2007, the Williams property on Oct. 20, 2016, and the Pilgrim property on March 17, 2017, for a total of 2.28 acres. The Grey Mill development will benefit the public by integrating the historic mill property with Main Street and the Historic Seventh Avenue District, the city said in the proposed agreement.     Read Story »

Henderson County Business

Local farmers tell Sen. Tillis of need for farm labor

DANA — Standing in a cold warehouse, their gloved hands working in a tub of cold water, immigrant workers at Danny McConnell’s farm are doing the tedious job of cleaning ginger root, a specialty crop McConnell grows.   Read Story »

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