RiverLink is pleased to announce six new members are joining its
board of directors for fiscal year 2015-2015 as follows:
Fed Cardina, is an
active member of the community and the Ollie Center at UNCA. Fred
brings a lifetime of experience to the RiverLink board as a retired
Senior Human Resource Vice President for Siemans and a private
consultant. Fred has been actively engaged with RiverLink for several years in
the Ross Creek restoration and storm water programs RiverLink has undertaken to
clean up this impaired 303 d listed stream that drains Chunns Cove
crossing under Tunnel Road before reaching Kenilworth and finally flowing into the
Swannao River.
Carol Fortham is a
retired attorney. Her previous practice focused primarily on
conservation work, with experience in zoning issues and right of way
acquisition. Carol has been an active volunteer with RiverLink since arriving
in Asheville. She worked closely with RiverLink staff
to submit Land Trust Accreditation documents. She has also been an
enthusiastic volunteer with RiverLink's education and events programs.
Sandra Kellman
concentrates her practice on all aspects of commercial real estate development
and finance, with particular focus on acquisition, disposition, development,
management and financing of hotels and mixed use projects, representing owners
and brands in single property and complex multi-state portfolio transactions.
Sandi works on projects throughout the United States and abroad, including
projects in the Caribbean and Middle East. Sandi co-chairs the firm's Global
Hospitality and Leisure sector and co-chairs DLA Piper's Global Real Estate
Summit. She served for many years on the firm's Policy Committee. Sandi is a
new homeowner and part time resident of Asheville.
Sandy Melton - Sandy is
a long time resident of Madison County and part owner of Blue Heron
Whitewater. Sandy is an important fixture of the Madison County
paddling, cultural arts and farming communities in Madison
County where she has lived and worked for decades. Sandy will be an
important voice and advocate for the new river access points RiverLink is
planning in Madison County.
Joseph Ransmier has had a
studio in the River Arts District since 1995 and is the longest continuously
practicing artist in the district. Joe is a master craftsman and
woodworker with strong ties to larger arts and business communities
evolving along the urban riverfront.
Jason Young is the
Town Manger for Woodfin and strong advocate for rivers, greenways and open
space for clean water, quality of life and as a leverage to attract new
businesses. RiverLink has had a long standing relationship with the Town
of Woodfin and is very exited to be working with the community as it
further expands its river and greenway initiatives.
Existing RiverLink Board Members
include:
Chair , Esther Cartwright -
Comptroller for AvL Technologies
Vice-Chair - Brian Moore --
Director of Planning and Public Policy Mission Hospital Systems
Secretary - Peter Sprague - Ingles
Markets
Treasurer- Paul Dismukes - retired
Health Care
Ken Grossman - CEO, Sierra Nevada
Brewing
Dick Hall - retired Aeronautical
Engineer
Renee Kumor - retired Chair
of Henderson County Commissioners and published author
Joe Sasfy - retied Music Critic
Washington Post and Time-Life Music series
Denise Snodgrass - retired Deputy
Director UNCA Center for Creative Retirement
David Whilden - Senior Trust
Officer Boys Arnold Trust Company
Debi Whitmire - Co-owner Headwater
Outfitters, Transylvania County.
According to Karen Cragnolin,
executive director of RiverLink, "we are off to another exciting year with
an empowered board of directors and dedicated small professional staff working
on behalf of the beautiful French Broad River. We are thrilled and
honored that the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay is the number one priority of
the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is attracting over
$50 million in funds to make our rivers more accessible with
mixed-use, mixed-income and multi-modal opportunities. The French Broad
River watershed is a destination for more and more people,
companies and residents for living, learning, working and playing."
