Below you'll find our AdvantageWest Board & Staff Members:
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See All Staff
Staff Members
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Dale Carroll (Staff)
President & CEO,
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Dale Carroll oversees all operations at AdvantageWest as President & Chief Executive Officer, and is directly involved in implementing policy as directed by the board and supporting staff with executing the program of work. During the last decade while Carroll has served as CEO, the AdvantageWest Board and Staff have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Southeast Tourism Society, Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute, Entrepreneur magazine and Southern Economic Development Council. He holds a B.S. degree from N.C. State University and a Masters degree in Management and Human Relations from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. He was recruited to AdvantageWest in 1997 from Carolina Power & Light where he served as the Section Manager in the Economic Development Department. During Dale’s tenure, CP&L’s economic development efforts were recognized for best practices by the Edison Electric Institute, Utility Management Services, and a CNN “Science & Technology Report”. Over his 18-year career with CP&L, Carroll worked in numerous positions, including roles as an Industrial Power Engineer for accounts like DuPont, Weyerhauser, Bosch, and Stanadyne and as an Area Business Manager actively involved in community development like tourism promotion and historic preservation in New Bern and Morehead City. Carroll is a past President of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association, where he helped lead statewide efforts in 2003 to promote passage of landmark legislation through the “Economic Stimulus and Job Creation Act.” Dale currently volunteers on several boards, including Western Carolina Industries and the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in western North Carolina. Other leadership experience includes eight years on the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center Board. In 2005, Governor Mike Easley reappointed Dale to serve on the State Economic Development Board through 2009. Dale and his family live in Asheville. Dale excelled in scouting and sports as a youth. He made it a priority to give back to scouting and athletics by volunteering as an adult leader and coach earlier in his career.
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Scott Hamilton (Staff)
Executive Vice President,
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Scott Hamilton, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, has enjoyed a varied career in economic development. Before being recruited back to AdvantageWest in 2006 to serve as the organization’s Executive Vice President, Scott served as the President & CEO of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Inc., a 501 (c) 6 corporation. Prior to accepting the position in Henderson County, Scott served as Director of Marketing and Site Development for AdvantageWest and subsequent to that, with the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission as the Retention & Expansion Specialist and served as Interim Executive Director. Before starting his career in economic development, Scott worked in the healthcare industry as the Business Office Manager at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC. Scott is currently President of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association and has served as the co-chair of the organization’s Legislative Committee for the past five years. Governor Mike Easley appointed Scott to serve on the North Carolina Economic Development Board during his tenure as president of NCEDA. He is also a member of the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council. He serves on the Board of Directors of the N. C. Rural Economic Development Center and is co-chair of the organization’s Workforce Development Program Committee. In 2001, Governor Mike Easley appointed Scott to a three-year term on the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Development. In 2005, Governor Easley reappointed Scott to a four-year term on the Commission. He also currently serves on the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. In 2002 Scott graduated from Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute. Scott lives in Henderson County with his wife and two daughters.
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Betty Huskins (Staff)
Sr. Vice President - External Relations,
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As Senior Vice President for External Relations, Betty leads capital development activities and maintains key relationships with diverse publics, ranging from federal, state, and local elected officials to business leaders, educational institutions and other non-profits working in the economic development arena.
Betty has led several initiatives at AdvantageWest including the establishment of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area by Congress in 2003, the establishment of MountainSouth USA – a multi-state international tourism organization, the establishment of the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council and the Certified Entrepreneurial Community Program.
During her more than 25 years of experience, Betty has received a number of honors and appointments related to economic development, tourism, and cultural and environmental initiatives. Betty served as Executive Director of the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission, President of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the NC Arboretum. Currently, Betty serves on the Advisory Board of The Technology Commercialization Center at AB Tech, the NC Bio-Business Network Advisory Board and as a board member of the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway .
She has been appointed by state officials to serve on several boards and commission including: the NC Smart Growth Commission, the Transportation Enhancement Fund Program, NC’s first International Tourism Task Force and as a delegate to the first White House Conference on Travel and Tourism.
On the national level, Betty is Chair of the Southeast Tourism Policy Council, an organization that advocates for the tourism industry on the regional and national level. She served on the Congressional Assessment Task Force on National Forest Planning in the early nineties and currently serves at the pleasure of the US Secretary of the Interior as one of nineteen members on the Sport Fishing and Boating Council Partnership Board. She also currently serves on the Fee Advisory Committee for the US Forest Service. Betty has been asked to testify before the US House of Representatives and the US Senate on two occasions during her tenure at AdvantageWest.
Betty attended WCU and completed her certification in economic development at the Institute of Government t at UNC-CH. She also received certification in Heritage Tourism Development from George Washington University. Betty and her husband David established their own governmental affairs company, Ridgetop Associates, in 1985 which her husband still operates today. They reside in Linville Falls, where they own and operate Linville Falls Lodge & Spear’s Restaurant.
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Kathy Neall (Staff)
Sr. Vice President - Finance & Grants,
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Senior Vice President of Finance & Grants, Kathy Neall works closely with AdvantageWest President & CEO Dale Carroll and the board’s Finance & Audit Committee to manage the day-to-day fiscal responsibilities and administrative policies for the organization. Among her primary responsibilities are budget preparation and monitoring, financial management and reporting, payroll and benefit administration, technical support and analysis, and oversight for all grant writing, administration and reporting functions. Kathy earned her Certified Public Accountant certificate and was formerly employed by the financial management and accounting firm of Hansen, Johnson & Associates, PA. With more than 20 years experience in accounting, including governmentals and nonprofits, she brings both depth and breadth to her new position at AdvantageWest. Kathy and her husband reside in Hendersonville.
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Amanda Baranski (Staff)
Office Manager & Assistant Corporate Secretary,
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Amanda Baranski, a native of Salisbury NC, maintains the day-to-day workings of the office, supplies key administrative support to both the AW Board and CEO Carroll, and assists each program director. Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree from UNC Asheville and has prior work experience with the Catawba College President’s Office and with Catawba’s Board of Trustees. Amanda resides in Asheville and enjoys photography and natural surroundings in western North Carolina.
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Justine Doerner (Staff)
Director-IT Systems,
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Justine Doerner joined AdvantageWest as Director of IT in September 2007. Originally from Glenview, IL she moved into the AdvantageWest region last year with her family and resides in Arden. She received her AAS Degree in Computers in Business with a specialized study in networking. Her responsibilities include managing all Information Technology systems for AdvantageWest HQ’s and our WNC satellite offices. She continuously monitors and updates our Network and Domains, Telephone system and Blackberries, all hardware and software including ongoing updates, Website Administration and Design, SalesForce Administration, Network Security, Exchange Server, and more. Previously she worked in Illinois as a Jr. Network Administrator for a large Pharmaceutical company and as a Web and Database Developer for an Electrical Group. Justine is determined, hardworking and brings a “can do” attitude to the AdvantageWest staff. She has been working in this field for over 8 years.
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Pam Lewis (Staff)
Senior Director, Programs & Events,
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Pam Lewis leads our entrepreneurial initiatives at AdvantageWest including the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council and the Certified Entrepreneurial CommunitySM Program. Pam works closely with our board champion for entrepreneurship and our regional BREC Advisory Board to accomplish this mission. In addition to overseeing these programs, Pam directs the planning and execution of the organization’s major events and conferences. Pam joined AdvantageWest in 1995 and was the fourth employee hired. In her previous roles with the organization, she served as Assistant Treasurer, Director of Operations and Director of the WNC Film Office. In 1999, she left to become the Executive Director of Travel and Tourism for Burke County. In 2005, Pam rejoined AdvantageWest bringing great institutional knowledge and ongoing leadership to the staff and program areas. Pam recently completed the Basic Economic Development at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has also owned and operated a small business. A native of Greenville SC, Pam and her husband Todd are proud to call WNC home and have one son who Is a senior at Elon University.
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Mary Lou Surgi (Staff)
Executive Director of Blue Ridge Food Ventures, LLC,
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Mary Lou Surgi holds a B.S. in Health Education from Appalachian State University, and Masters Degrees in Public Health and Food Systems Administration from the University of Tennessee. She is also a graduate of the A-B Tech Culinary Program, and combines this culinary knowledge with over 15 years experience working with farmers in Africa and Asia. She is FDA-certified to supervise acidified food processing operations as well as Juice Production under HACCP Guidelines. She regularly teaches at the John C. Campbell Folk School and is a member of the American Culinary Foundation. Mary Lou lives in Asheville.
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Alice Wilder-Lauff (Staff)
Administrative Assistant,
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Alice Wilder, a Pennsylvania native, joined the AdvantageWest team in 2003 as Administrative Assistant. Alice spent time in France working as a cosmetologist on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. She later owned and operated a craft company in Florida. Alice moved to Western North Carolina to take advantage of the beautiful hiking and biking available. Alice lives in Fletcher.
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"AdvantageWest is always an excellent resource for information about the changing economic landscape of western North Carolina."
Sarah Smith
Weichert Realtors
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