Who We Are: HandMade Board

The work of HandMade in America is organized into two entities, each with a separate board of directors and an Executive Committee. The two entities meet together as one board, five times per year.

The Board works to establish an academic base to promote crafts throughout all levels of education as object, subject and process; and to develop community strategies that will collectively enhance Western North Carolina's role nationally and internationally within the handmade field.

The Board develops community strategies that will enhance Western North Carolina's role nationally and internationally within the handmade field, and implements environmentally sustainable economic strategies for Western North Carolina that emphasize the handmade industry and cultural and heritage tourism.

• Mr. Tom Covington

  Principal, NewFound Mountain Associates, LLC , Leicester, NC

• Mr. Bob Hensley

  Small Towns Steering Committee, Bakersville, NC,

• Mr. Bill Lehnert

  Jeweler, Alexander & Lehnert , Asheville, NC

• Ms. Pam Lewis

  Director of Entrepreneurship, Asheville Area Economic Development Coalition, Asheville, NC

• Ms. Carole Summers Morris

  CEO, Meritage Consulting, Charlotte, NC

• Sandy Stevenson

  Director if Madison County Visitors Center, Mars Hill, NC

• Mr. Michael Padjen

  Vice President of International Sales, Klaussner Home Furnishings, High Point, NC

• Ms. Karen Tessier

  President of Market Connections, Asheville, NC

• Ms. Stephanie Twitty

  Executive Director, Eagle/Market Streets Development Corp., Old Fort, NC

• Mr. Yona Wade

  Director, Cherokee High School Performing Arts, Cherokee, NC