Meet the Explore Asheville Staff
Executive Team
Vic Isley
(She/Her)
President & CEO
[email protected]- Building BCTDA board, municipality, and legislative relationships
- Leading strategic direction and performance
- Overseeing administration, resource allocation, vision and culture
Dodie Stephens
(She/Her)
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Marketing department
- Developing and implementing an integrated marketing strategy
- Managing the destination brand
Ed Silver
(He/Him)
VP of Business Development
[email protected](828) 299-6844- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Business Development department
- Developing and implementing the annual sales plan
- Fostering internal business development through finance and technology management
Tiffany Thacker
(She/Her)
VP of Partnership & Destination Management
[email protected]- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Partnership & Destination Management department
- Fostering relationships with industry partners and community stakeholders
- Directing grant, wayfinding, public information, and partner engagement programs
Business Development Team
Ed Silver
(He/Him)
VP of Business Development
[email protected](828) 299-6844- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Business Development department
- Developing and implementing the annual sales plan
- Fostering internal business development through finance and technology management
Connie Nuckolls Holliday, CMP, HMCC
(She/Her)
Director of Sales
[email protected](828) 258-6121- Providing guidance and support for the Sales team
- Managing third-party meeting planner partnerships
- Fostering accommodation, venue/facility, service, and community relationships
Jay Curwen
(He/Him)
Director of Sports, Film & Entertainment
[email protected]828-398-0320Markets: Sports, Film & Entertainment Industries
- Prospecting and generating group sales business in the sports, film, and entertainment markets
- Attracting sporting events and film productions to Asheville and Buncombe County
- Developing and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders, venues and facilities, sports organizations, and entertainment partners
Emily Crosby
(She/Her)
Director of Group Services
[email protected](828) 258-6110- Providing guidance and support for the Services team
- Managing the exclusive services program for meetings and events booked by the Sales team
- Overseeing and executing the 48-Hour Meeting Planner FAM Experience
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
- Positioning and selling Asheville and Buncombe County to meeting planners in assigned territories and markets
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
- Positioning and selling Asheville and Buncombe County to meeting planners in assigned territories and markets
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 and Environmental
- Positioning and selling Asheville and Buncombe County to meeting planners in assigned territories and markets
John Dawson
(He/Him)
Group Service Manager
[email protected](828) 398-0220- Engaging with meeting planners and other external stakeholders to service events booked by the Sales team
- Planning and coordinating the 48-Hour Meeting Planner FAM Experience
- Administering the Meetings Development Fund program
Emily Banner
(She/Her)
Sales Manager
[email protected](828) 258-6139Markets: Social & Adventure Travel – Weddings; Group Tours; Reunions; Social, Military, Educational, Religious & Fraternal groups
- Positioning and selling Asheville and Buncombe County to meeting planners in assigned territories and markets
Josh Jones
(He/Him)
Systems & Technology Manager
[email protected]- Managing enterprise systems, including CRM, finance, and marketing platforms
- Implementing new and supporting existing information technologies
- Identifying opportunities to increase efficiency in day-to-day workflows
David Setzer
(He/Him)
Accounting Manager
[email protected]- Executing day-to-day accounting operations
- Performing financial analysis and reporting for leadership, audits, and board meetings
- Supporting annual budgeting and forecasting cycles
Ali Wainright
(She/Her)
Group Sales Coordinator
[email protected]828-258-6102- Coordinating logistics and providing support for site inspections, tradeshows and sales trips
- Maintaining and updating sales records in the CRM database
- Providing administrative support to the Sales team
Mia Brown
(She/Her)
Sales & Marketing Assistant
[email protected](828) 398-0300- Maintaining and updating records in the CRM database
- Fulfilling individual and bulk Destination Guide orders
- Providing administrative support to the Marketing and Business Development departments
Marketing Team
Dodie Stephens
(She/Her)
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Marketing department
- Developing and implementing an integrated marketing strategy
- Managing the destination brand
Sarajane Case
(She/Her)
Director of Marketing
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for the Marketing team
- Directing integrated marketing strategies and brand storytelling
- Overseeing the creation of print and digital assets
Emilie Soffe
(She/Her)
Director of Content
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for the Content team
- Leading content, social media, and website strategy
- Developing and managing photo, video, and editorial assets
Kyle McCurry
(He/Him)
Director of Public Relations
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for the PR team
- Directing public relations and media strategy for external audiences
- Leading targeted media outreach
Carli Adams
(She/Her)
Group Marketing Manager
[email protected]- Developing group sales-oriented content and collateral
- Planning events and roadshows to promote Asheville as a meeting destination
- Creating and managing email marketing campaigns for the Sales team
Meredith Adams
(She/Her)
Marketing Manager
[email protected]- Implementing marketing, promotions, and paid media strategies
- Serving as the day-to-day liaison with the agency-of-record
- Managing assigned projects to ensure brand consistency
Mickey Poandl
(He/Him)
PR Manager
[email protected]- Initiating and fostering media relations
- Pitching story ideas and writing press releases
- Planning and managing media tours, site visits, and FAMs
Payton Byrnes
(She/Her)
PR Manager
[email protected]- Initiating and fostering media relations
- Pitching story ideas and writing press releases
- Planning and managing media tours, site visits, and FAMs
David Thompson
(He/Him)
Digital Communications Manager
[email protected]- Managing and updating content on ExploreAsheville.com
- Writing leisure market communications and newsletters
- Producing photo and video 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]- Managing social media channels
- Creating new and acquiring user-generated content
- Working with outside content creators to develop and diversify assets
Rachel Young
(She/Her)
Creative Services Coordinator
[email protected]- Providing in-house graphic design and support
- Creating print and digital assets
- Coordinating with vendors, printers, and partners to ensure brand consistency
Alayna Fleagle
(She/Her)
PR Coordinator
[email protected]- Responding to media and influencer requests
- Researching and aggregating destination news and updates
- Coordinating the media database and monthly earned media clip analysis
Mia Brown
(She/Her)
Sales & Marketing Assistant
[email protected](828) 398-0300- Maintaining and updating records in the CRM database
- Fulfilling individual and bulk Destination Guide orders
- Providing administrative support to the Marketing and Business Development departments
Partnership & Destination Management Team
Tiffany Thacker
(She/Her)
VP of Partnership & Destination Management
[email protected]- Overseeing, leading and coaching the Partnership & Destination Management department
- Fostering relationships with industry partners and community stakeholders
- Directing grant, wayfinding, public information, and partner engagement programs
Ashley Greenstein
(She/Her)
Public Information Manager
[email protected]- Developing and executing the annual community and partner communication plan
- Serving as the official liaison in response to public affairs requests
- Producing public information content about the organization and hospitality community
Kimberly Puryear
(She/Her)
Destination Investment & Project Manager
[email protected]- Developing destination management projects that support visitors and residents
- Administering grant and event support fund programs
- Leading workforce development initiatives
McKenzie Provost
(She/Her)
Destination Events & Programs Manager
[email protected]- Developing destination-focused programs that support industry education readiness
- Planning industry knowledge partner events
- Managing and convening industry working groups and forums
Rachel Dudasik
(She/Her)
Community & Partner Engagement Manager
[email protected]- Building relationships with new and existing travel & hospitality partners
- Planning partner-focused social, networking and recognition events
- Leading partner listening and feedback efforts
Shelby Pearsall
(She/Her)
Partnership Coordinator
[email protected]- Supporting partners with web listing and event calendar updates
- Maintaining and updating partner records in the CRM database
- Writing partner communications, including newsletters, alerts, and support materials
Executive Office Team
Sarah Myers
(She/Her)
Director of People, Culture & Strategy
[email protected]- Providing guidance and support for the Executive Office team
- Managing the President & CEO’s priorities and BCTDA board meetings
- Overseeing human resources, operations, and culture development
Glenn Ramey
(She/Her)
Human Resources Manager
[email protected]- Managing recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding
- Administering payroll and employee benefits
- Partnering with the Director of People, Culture & Strategy on team engagement and culture development
Cristina Fernandez
(She/Her)
Office Assistant
[email protected](828) 258-6109- Managing and maintaining the front desk and shared spaces
- Planning and coordinating team functions
- Providing administrative support to the organization