News

Festival brings on Summer Stipe as administrative coordinator

Summer Stipe is shown with her husband Derek and sons Gibson and Jude. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 5, 2025

The North Carolina Apple Festival Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Summer Stipe as the festival’s fundraising and administrative coordinator.

Stipe joins the team in a part-time, contract role, bringing a strong background in nonprofit leadership, event planning and community engagement to support the festival’s growth and operations.
A lifelong resident of Henderson County, Summer is a graduate of West Henderson High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a degree in Interpersonal & Organizational Communication. She has served as executive director of the Henderson County Education Foundation, worked with the Children & Family Resource Center and led her own event and project planning business, Juniper.
Summer is deeply committed to her community, volunteering at her children’s schools, the Henderson County Early Childhood Task Force, at her church—Grace Blue Ridge— and as the current board chair for Smart Start Partnership for Children.
"I have had the privilege of working with Summer during her time with the Henderson County Education Foundation, and I couldn’t have been prouder of the impact she made there,"  said Joshua A. English, this year's North Carolina Apple Festival president. "We brought her on to strengthen that organization, and she exceeded every expectation. Her passion, leadership, and creativity will help us deepen our relationships with sponsors, strengthen our operations and build a dynamic board that will continue to serve our community and support Henderson County’s apple industry for years to come."
In her role as fundraising and administrative coordinator, Summer will help innovate internal processes, enhance community and sponsor engagement and strengthen the Festival’s fundraising efforts.

“I’m excited to join the NC Apple Festival team," Stipe said. "Growing up here, the festival has always been a special part of our community, and I’m grateful for the chance to help support and strengthen it. I’m looking forward to working with the board, sponsors, and volunteers to continue building something our whole community can enjoy and be proud of.”
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Summer enjoys spending time with her husband, Derek, and their two sons, Jude and Gibson. She loves hiking, paddling at sunrise, enjoying live music, sharing coffee with friends and supporting Henderson County’s vibrant local businesses.