Day 2- Economic Development

LAS36-2-Economy

Presenter Bios

Heidi Reiber is the senior director of Riverbird Research at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. She has been a data and systems analyst for over 20 years and her focus is on economic, demographic, labor market, and economic impact analysis for community betterment. Prior to her current role, she was a systems analyst and division supervisor with the City of Asheville and a supervisory senior analyst with Ernst & Young’s Information Systems Advisory practice in Boston. Heidi currently serves on the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Data Advocacy committee. She earned an MPA from Western Carolina University, a Bachelor of Science in Management from UNC Asheville, and a certificate in Data Analytics from Cornell University.

Clark Duncan

Click here for Clark Duncan's bio

Sara Nichols

Sara Nichols- joined Land of Sky Regional Council in 2018 as a regional planner on the Economic and Community Development team following the previous eleven years in local government. Sara focuses on regional broadband, digital inclusion, economic development, infrastructure, and clean energy. Her previous work involved local economic development, conservation planning, business development, and grant management for Madison County. Sara graduated from Mars Hill University with a degree in Biology with a focus on field studies. Previous work includes leveraging and management of over $100 Million in grants, incentives, and programs. Her leadership in broadband has helped thousands of WNC citizens receive new service, over a dozen public wifi projects, and numerous devices to help close the digital divide.

Todd Okolichaney

Todd Okolichany serves as the Director of Planning and Urban Design for the City of Asheville where he is responsible for leading sustainable growth, promoting equitable development and shaping the built environment. While at the City Todd has led the implementation of visionary projects, such as the award winning Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan, and has advocated for inclusive prosperity for the city's diverse community. Prior to moving to Asheville he oversaw the City of Fort Lauderdale's long-range planning program. Todd also previously worked for an internationally renowned urban planning and architecture firm in New York City, where he received a Master of Science degree in planning from Pratt Institute.

Vic Isley

Jill Sparks

Jill Sparks joined the NC Community College System in 2006 and currently serves as Executive Director of the Small Business Center and Business Incubation program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and the Western Regional Director for the Small Business Center Network. Prior to joining A-B Tech, she worked for her alma mater, Appalachian State University, as Director, Career Planning Services and later as Director, Development for the Walker College of Business. She serves on boards for both ASU and WCU as well as for Blue Ridge Food Ventures. Jill earned both a BSBA in marketing and a BA in History from Appalachian State University and worked in both the transportation and insurance industries. After earning her MBA from Appalachian State University, she worked in the financial services industry before returning to work at her alma mater in 1999. Jill lives in Asheville, has two children and enjoys kayaking, running, traveling, live music and baking.

J Hackett

J Hackett is the Founder and Board chair of Black Wall Street AVL a local business incubator with over 117 cohort members. He is also the founder of, GRIND, Asheville's first Black Owned Coffee shop. J is a TEDx speaker and an instructor for Lenoir Rhyne University’s Equity & Diversity Institute. He is Executive Director of Jordan Peer Recovery and created the state’s first community health worker apprenticeship. This work is designed to use life experience and evidence-based practice to facilitate the growth of people returning from incarceration or in recovery from substance misuse. As a social scientist with over 20+ years of community and economic development experience, his work has been recognized in the NC Bar Journal, published in NAADAC’s scholarly journal, and awarded by the chamber of commerce.

He is married with 3 children and is a diehard fan of golden girls.

Thank you for being a friend.

Carol Bauer

CarolAnn ( she/ her) is the creator and owner of Dry Apron which makes the amazing No Sweat Undies; the first underwear that prevents infections for plus sized women. CarolAnn has been been a sewer for 55 years and a fabric engineer for 50 years. She sewed because there were such limited offerings of clothing in her size when she was young. Then she started sewing garments that had no patterns, using her skills in more creative ways. Seven years ago, at 63, CarolAnn found a need and engineered a solution. She tapped into Asheville’s extensive startup resources and has built a business that has grown in scope and size. No Sweat undies is now in 4 countries as well as the US. It survived Covid and continues to thrive. She has won numerous awards and been the subject of more than a few articles.

Ginger Frank