Founding Steering Committee Leadership
From left to right: Nathan Ramsey, Gene Loflin, Dr. Mike Dempsey, Dr. Bill Sederburg, Dr. Joseph Fox, Jack Cecil, Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Dr. John Gossett, Emily Nicholson
In November of 2019, educational and business thought leaders–including representatives from public and private four-year universities, community colleges, K-12 public school systems, economic development coalitions, and businesses–met to begin the process of moving forward what was then called the Land of Sky Educational Attainment and Workforce Collaborative. In addition, a Steering Committee was developed to continue the work.
Key to enhancing the leadership development capacity is the ability to “grow” the P20 Council’s role in planning, organizing, leading, staffing, and controlling operational policies and procedures. The Steering Committee has played an important role in providing direction to the Executive Director, while guiding the development, engagement, and actions of the P20 Council membership.
Inaugural Executive Committee (2021-2023)
Greg Lowe - Chair
Dr. Mark Dickerson - Vice Chair
Dr. Laura Leatherwood - Secretary
Deb Tibbetts - Treasurer
Inaugural Committee Members (2021-2023)
- Amy Barry, Executive Director, Buncombe Partnership for Children
- Brittany Brady, President, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
- Dr. Kelli Brown, Chancellor, Western Carolina University
- Dr. John Bryant, Vice President, Workforce Development and Community Affairs, UNC Health Pardee
- Jack Cecil, President, Biltmore Farms
- Kit Cramer, President & CEO, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Mike Dempsey, Dean and Director, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Center for Graduate Studies at Asheville
- Dr. Mark Dickerson, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Asheville City Schools
- Tony Floyd, President, Mars Hill University
- Dr. Joseph Fox, President & CEO, Fox Management Consulting Enterprises
- Mark Garrett, Superintendent, Henderson County Schools
- Chip Gould, President, Cason Companies
- Mike Hawkins, President, Pisgah Enterprises
- Dr. Will Hoffman, Superintendent, Madison County Schools
- Rob Jackson, Superintendent, Buncombe County Schools
- Jaime Laughter, Manager, Transylvania County
- Laura Leatherwood, President, Blue Ridge CC
- Gene Loflin, Associate Vice President of Instructional Services, AB Tech CC
- Greg Lowe, President, HCA – North Carolina Division
- Dr. Paul Maurer, President, Montreat College
- Dr. Jeff McDaris, Superintendent, Transylvania County Schools
- Michael Meguiar, Vice President of Global Operations, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- John Mitchell, County Manager, Henderson County
- Avril Pinder, County Manager, Buncombe County
- Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director, Land of Sky Regional Council
- Dr. Bill Sederburg, Chair, WNC Broadband Project
- Carol Steen, President, WNC Human Resources Association
- Deb Tibbetts, Executive Director, Smart Start of Transylvania County
- Dr. Kimberly van Noort, Interim Chancellor, UNC Asheville
Our Infrastructure History
2018
myFutureNC
In 2018, North Carolina’s thought leaders in education, business, faith-based and nonprofit communities, representatives from the North Carolina General Assembly, and the Governor’s Office established the myFutureNC Commission. After conducting a statewide conversation about economic competitiveness, workforce development, and educational attainment, the Commission set goals, and the initiative was later signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper.
Mid 2019
Land of Sky Educational Attainment and Workforce Collaborative is established.
The Land of Sky Educational Attainment and Workforce Collaborative, the “Collaborative,” was established in mid-2019 as a pilot program to lead a four-county region toward fulfilling its portion of the state’s overall myFutureNC goal of 2 million credentialed state residents by 2030.
Nov 2019
Developed Steering Committee
The Collaborative assembled educational and business thought leaders, including representatives from public and private four-year universities, community colleges, K-12 public school systems, economic development coalitions, and businesses. These thought leaders met in November 2019 to begin the process of moving the Collaborative forward. In addition, a Steering Committee was developed to continue the work.
2021
LOS Educational Attainment and Workfoce Collaborative’s Steering Committee established the P20 Council.
In Fall 2021, the Land of Sky Educational Attainment & Workforce Collaborative’s Steering Committee established the P20 Council to move this collaborative work forward. The P20 Council is composed of key stakeholders that foster educational attainment that leads to gainful employment. The idea and structure developed were based on the efforts of workgroups set up by the Steering Committee in 2019, which continued into 2020.
2021 Onward
Next Steps in Our Mission
The P20 Council has grown to 26 dedicated members representing four counties across our region. This diverse group brings together leaders from education and workforce sectors, working collaboratively to strengthen opportunities for students, jobseekers, and employers. Our expanding council reflects our shared commitment to regional partnerships and long-term success. Click Here to see in detail what we have been up to!
