OnTrack WNC restructures to respond to needs

OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling announced a strategic restructuring which is designed to position the agency for emerging community needs.

“In the last two years, we’ve seen a gradual shift in demand and our mix of services,” said Celeste Collins, OnTrack WNC’s Executive Director. “For example, demand for foreclosure prevention counseling is going down. This is good news for homeowners and the economic recovery and for our agency, it means we have the opportunity to reallocate counseling capacity to meet different needs of consumers in the new post-recession normal.”  

OnTrack WNC used a strengths-based approach to streamline reporting, make the organization more nimble, and expedite program planning. Staff members who provide direct services will retain their primary roles as counselors, educators, and program coordinators but the separate “counseling” and “education” departments have been combined and will be led by newly appointed Associate Executive Director, Sarah Brown.

Breaking down the department “silos” will increase the opportunities for the staff to work collaboratively and share information across service types. In addition, as counselors, educators and program coordinators work with clients, they will gather information on gaps in services – both within OnTrack WNC and in the community.  This will inform enhancements to existing programs and identify areas for new programs.

“I’m excited to have Sarah in her new role because in her seven years with our agency, I’ve seen her talent for developing staff, cultivating ideas, and creating procedures to capture knowledge and standardize procedures,” said Collins.

OnTrack WNC’s focus areas for 2015 include enhancements to their Homebuyer Program, increasing participation in the Debt Management Program, and developing a Credit Builder Program. Services for specific populations, like older adults and youth will also be part of 2015 program planning.

In developing its strategic direction, OnTrack WNC explored “best practices” within the national focus on “financial capability” which encourages agencies to help consumers develop knowledge, make choices consistent with their goals, and have access to appropriate financial products. 

Immedion hires Terry Morris as Director of Cloud Services

Immedion LLC,  South Carolina and Western North Carolina’s premiere provider of data center services including Cloud, colocation and managed services, announced today the hiring of Terry Morris as Director of Cloud Services.  In his new role, Terry will be responsible for the overall operations and delivery of Immedion’s Cloud infrastructure.

Morris joins Immedion with an extensive background in Cloud architecture and management.  Prior to Immedion, Morris held the title of ITAAS Cloud Architect at Dimension Data, Inc. where he led a virtual team of technical and senior solution architects. Morris served in the United States Air Force and went on to study Computer Information Systems at Belmont Abbey College.  Morris holds multiple VMware certifications along with a certification in VCE Vblock Architecture.

“Terry’s comprehensive technical background makes him a great addition to the team,” said Immedion’s Chief Operating Officer Rob Moser.  “His dedication and proven leadership skills will help continue the growth of our Cloud services.”

NC Stage celebrates the holidays with encore performance of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol"

Ensemble Theatre Company, in conjunction with North Carolina Stage Company, is proud to present Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol!  The show is playing exclusively at NC Stage in downtown Asheville, from December 17^th- December 28^th.

Under the direction of Andrew Hampton Livingston and starring Michael MacCauley, this one man, tour-de-force performance is not to be missed. 

“Scrooge? I have to redeem old Scrooge? The one man I knew who was worse than I was? Impossible!"  So begins the journey of Jacob Marley's heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge's soul—and in the process, save his own. Aided by Bogle, a mischievous little sprite with an agenda of his own, their hilarious journey takes them from the depths of the underworld to the stars above! This irreverent, funny, and ultimately, deeply moving story retells Dickens' classic with warmth and infectious zest. This thrilling performance is sure to become a holiday classic for generations to come, and has been performed to rave reviews and standing ovations in theatres across the country!

During the entire run of the show, the Children First holiday drive will be in the lobby.  NC Stage is partnering with Children First to collect items for “Bedtime in a Bag” which include toiletry items, pajamas, and children’s stories!   December 27^th, 2013 is a special holiday benefit day with a portion of ticket sales from the 2:00 PM Matinee being donated to benefit Children First.

Here is what the critics had to say about this remarkable show:

“The verbal and physical virtuosity of MacCauley’s embodiment of Mula’s play is masterful, interpreting the voices of 16 varied characters with almost gymnastic physical power”. Asheville Citizen-Times. 

“MacCauley, giving us Marley and Scrooge in dialogue, and more than a dozen other voices – male, female, animal – offers a tour-de-force bravado performance.” 

North Carolina Stage Company is Asheville’s only professional theatre celebrating its 13^th year producing plays for the Asheville Community.  Founded by Charlie and Angie Flynn-McIver, the theatre has been voted Best Local Theatre 9 out of the past 10 years in the Mountain Xpress Best of Reader’s Poll.  NC Stage was also recently awarded the prestigious American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Grant.

For more information and a full calendar of events, visit www.ncstage.org or call (828) 239-0263.

Jacob Marley Information

Where: North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane in downtown Asheville, NC

Dates: December 17^th- December 28^th, 2014

Performances: Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 2:00 PM

Week of Christmas: Tuesday at 7:30; Friday and Saturday at 7:30; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM

            Two performances on Saturday December 27^th at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM 

Children First Benefit: Saturday, December 27^th at 2:00 PM

Ticket Prices: $15-$28 tiered pricing based on seating. Student tickets are $10 anytime! 

Tickets are available by calling 828-239-0263 or visiting us online at ncstage.org

Discounts are offered for groups of 6 or more.