Meet the Explore Asheville Staff
Executive Team
Vic Isley
(She/Her)
President & CEO
[email protected]- BCTDA board, municipalities, and legislative relationships
- Strategic direction and performance
- Administration, resource allocation, vision and culture
Dodie Stephens
(She/Her)
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]- Overseeing, lead and coach team
- Finance and budget planning
- Contract management including agencies
Ed Silver
(He/Him)
VP of Business Development
[email protected](828) 299-6844- Overseeing, lead and coach team
- Community and economic development through meetings and events
- Finance, technology, and contract management of business development initiatives
Tiffany Thacker
(She/Her)
VP of Partnership & Destination Management
[email protected]- Tourism Product Development Fund
- Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund
- Festivals & Cultural Events Fund and Sponsorships
Business Development Team
Ed Silver
(He/Him)
VP of Business Development
[email protected](828) 299-6844- Overseeing, lead and coach team
- Community and economic development through meetings and events
- Finance, technology, and contract management of business development initiatives
Connie Nuckolls Holliday, CMP, HMCC
(She/Her)
Director of Sales
[email protected](828) 258-6121- Directing day-to-day group sales efforts
- Managing third-party partnerships
- Fostering hotel, venue and service relationships
- Meetings Development Fund
Jay Curwen
(He/Him)
Director of Sports, Film & Entertainment
[email protected]828-398-0320Markets: Sports, Film & Entertainment Industries
- Attracting and retaining profitable opportunities in the sports, film, and entertainment industries
- Developing and managing an annual budget for sports, film, and entertainment
- Collaborating with the marketing and public relations team
Emily Crosby
(She/Her)
Director of Group Services
[email protected](828) 258-6110- Managing exclusive service program for conferences and events once booked
- Planning and coordinating 48-hour Fam trips
Shawn Boone
(He/Him)
Senior Sales Manager
[email protected](828) 398-0204States: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, OH, SC, TN
Markets: Technology Nationwide, Manufacturing Nationwide, Including Food and Beverage, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Nationwide
Tina Porter, HMCC
(She/Her)
Senior Sales Manager
[email protected](828) 258-6133States: AZ, CA, CO, IA, IL, ID, KS, MN, MT, NE, NM, ND, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY
Markets: Health & Wellness, Outdoor Products & Industries
Kristen Childers
(She/Her)
Sales Manager
[email protected](828) 257-4966States: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV
Markets: Life Sciences, Medical, Pharmaceutical; Climate & Environmental
John Dawson
(He/Him)
Group Service Manager
[email protected](828) 398-0220- In-market service delivery for groups and 48-hour fam coordination
- Meetings development fund administration
- Admin support
Emily Banner
(She/Her)
Sales Manager
[email protected](828) 258-6139Markets: Social & Adventure Travel – Weddings; Group Tours; Reunions; Social, Military, Educational, Religious & Fraternal groups
Ali Wainright
(She/Her)
Group Sales Coordinator
[email protected]828-258-6102- Site inspection, tradeshow and travel support
- CRM and economic impact calculator
- Admin support
Josh Jones
(He/Him)
Systems & Technology Manager
[email protected]- IT and CRM Administration
- Systems maintenance and management
- Contract management
Mia Brown
(She/Her)
Sales & Marketing Assistant
[email protected](828) 398-0300- CRM administration
- Visitor guide fulfillment
- Admin support
Marketing Team
Dodie Stephens
(She/Her)
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]- Overseeing, lead and coach team
- Finance and budget planning
- Contract management including agencies
Sarajane Case
(She/Her)
Director of Marketing
[email protected]- Lead integrated marketing strategies
- Direct brand storytelling
- Oversee creation of print and digital assets
Emilie Soffe
(She/Her)
Director of Content
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for team
- Leading content and social media strategy
- Leading website strategy
Kyle McCurry
(He/Him)
Director of Public Relations
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for PR team
- Public relations and media strategist for external audiences
- Leading targeted media outreach
Carli Adams
(She/Her)
Group Marketing Manager
[email protected]- Championing sales-driven paid media and content within marketing department
- Planning and executing events, roadshows, etc
- CRM and Act-on super user
Meredith Adams
(She/Her)
Marketing Manager
[email protected]- Managing integrated marketing strategies
- Managing brand storytelling
- Managing creation of print and digital assets
Mickey Poandl
(He/They/Them)
PR Manager
[email protected]- Proactive media relations and pitching
- Developing story ideas and write releases
- Planning and managing media and influencer site visits, fams and marketplace events
Payton Byrnes
(She/Her)
Pubic Relations Manager
[email protected]- Responding to media and influencer requests and coordinate site visits
- Researching and aggregating destination news and updates
- Admin support including monthly earned media reports
David Thompson
(He/Him)
Digital Communications Manager
[email protected]- Producing and manage digital content
- In-house writer for content team
- Lead producer on photo shoots
Elizabeth White
(She/Her)
Web Manager
[email protected]- Managing the ExploreAsheville.com website
- Creating and maintaining advertising landing pages
- Optimizing the website for search engines and page speed
Kayla Speis
(She/Her)
Social Media Manager
[email protected]- Proactively plan social media content calendar
- Manage social media channels
- Create content and acquires user-generated content
Rachel Young
(She/Her)
Creative Services Coordinator
[email protected]- Graphic design
- Creation of print and digital assets
Mia Brown
(She/Her)
Sales & Marketing Assistant
[email protected](828) 398-0300- CRM administration
- Visitor guide fulfillment
- Admin support
Partnership & Destination Management Team
Tiffany Thacker
(She/Her)
VP of Partnership & Destination Management
[email protected]- Tourism Product Development Fund
- Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund
- Festivals & Cultural Events Fund and Sponsorships
Ashley Greenstein
(She/Her)
Public Information Manager
[email protected]- Local communications and engagement strategy
- Local media relations
- Destination performance reporting and stewardship
Kimberly Puryear
(She/Her)
Destination Investment & Project Manager
[email protected]- Wayfinding administration and maintenance
- Black Cultural Heritage Trail planning, facilitation and administration
- Partner working groups and workshops
McKenzie Provost
(She/Her)
Destination Events & Programs Manager
[email protected]- Signature events (i.e. annual meeting, tourism summit, summer social, etc)
- Partner recruitment and engagement
- CRM administration
Rachel Dudasik
(She/Her)
Community & Partner Engagement Manager
[email protected]- Partner recruitment
- Partner engagement
- Community engagement
Shelby Pearsall
(She/Her)
Partnership Coordinator
[email protected]- CRM management, Partner Portal support, contact updates, and listing updates
- Partner support and engagement
- Partner communications, including newsletters, alerts, and support materials
- Event calendar listings and management
Executive Office Team
Sarah Myers
(She/Her)
Director of People, Culture & Strategy
[email protected]- Exec and BCTDA meetings facilitation and scheduling
- Strategic plan implementation, tracking and reporting
- Human resources and culture development
Glenn Ramey
(She/Her)
Human Resources Manager
[email protected]- Recruitment and onboarding support
- Wellness and staff celebrations
- Volunteer time off administration
Cristina Fernandez
(She/Her)
Office Assistant
[email protected](828) 258-6109- Greeter and front desk coverage
- Office supplies and inventory
- Finance and administration support