Meet the Explore Asheville Staff

Executive Team

Victoria “Vic” Isley

(She/Her)

President & CEO

[email protected]

BCTDA board, municipalities, and legislative relationships
Strategic direction and performance
Administration, resource allocation, vision and culture

Jennifer Kass-Green

(She/Her)

VP of Culture & Business Affairs

[email protected]

Human resources and culture development
Budget planning and financial analysis
Policy management

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

Sarah Myers

(She/Her)

Manager, Executive & Strategy

[email protected]

Exec management and scheduling
BCTDA meetings facilitation
Strategic plan implementation, tracking and reporting

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]828-398-0320

Markets: 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

Shawn Boone

(He/Him)

Senior Sales Manager

[email protected](828) 398-0204

States: 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) 258-6133

States: 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) 257-4966

States: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV

Markets: Life Sciences, Medical, Pharmaceutical; Climate & Environmental

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

John Dawson

(He/Him)

Group Service Manager

[email protected](828) 318-0220

In-market service delivery for groups and 48-hour fam coordination
Meetings development fund administration
Admin support

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

Mia Brown

(She/Her)

Sales & Marketing Assistant

[email protected](828) 398-0300

CRM administration
Visitor guide fulfillment
Admin support

Culture & Business Affairs Team

Jennifer Kass-Green

(She/Her)

VP of Culture & Business Affairs

[email protected]

Human resources and culture development
Budget planning and financial analysis
Policy management

Josh Jones

(He/Him)

Systems & Operations Manager

[email protected]

IT and CRM Administration
Building operations, maintenance, and meeting space management
Contract management

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

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

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

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

Cass Santander

(She/Her)

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

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