Board of Directors
Board Member Election Process
Potential board members are put into a pipeline and in August of each year the governance committee reviews the candidates in the pipeline. After prayer for discernment selected candidates meet with a board member to begin a conversation about serving. At that time if they seem to be a good fit, they are asked to complete an application after reading our Statement of Faith, Bylaws and Covenant.
After applications are received the Governance Committee will make recommendations to the board for a vote in October.
Jean Gay
Chair
Jean Gay is a native of Hickory who is married to David Gay. They have three children; Carmen Pope Brown, Katherine Gay, and Larry E. Pope (deceased)- as well as six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jean got her BA in Business at Gardner-Webb University and her MBA at Pfeiffer University. She was a founding employee of CommScope. As a senior executive, she was responsible for global customer financial services and direct leadership of teams in ten countries. After 43 years of service, Jean recently retired and remains an active member of the board of directors for the CS Credit Union and the national organization, Cable TV Pioneers. She is passionate about mentoring and serves as the Finance & Stewardship Chairperson, a certified Lay Servant, Sunday School teacher, and actively involved as a youth leader for her church, Highland United Methodist. Jean enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with family.
Angel Starnes
Co-Chair
Angel Starnes is a CPA working in public accounting for 21 years. She is the director of her own firm, where her focus is on individual tax consulting, small business coaching, and outsourced CFO services. She enjoys helping her clients define and reach their goals. She attends Grace Church and is passionate about spreading God’s love through serving others. Angel and her husband, Jason, have two sons and a 115 pound Bernese Mountain dog. They enjoy travel, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and gardening.
Kelli Schmidt
SECRETARY
More about Kelli coming soon!
David Parham
Treasurer
David Parham has been the President/CEO of Conwareco Logistics for the past 26 years. He has previously been the President of North Carolina Warehouse Association, Finance and PPR chairman for Church Church, and was on the Board of Directors for Catawba Chamber of Commerce. David and his wife Tracy have been married for 24 years and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hunting, fishing and the outdoors.
Melissa Cruse
More about Melissa coming soon!
Hailey Hendren
PEER ADVOCATE
Hailey is originally from Granite Falls but has now made Hickory her home. She is a mom to her six year old Genesis who is her biggest blessing. She is employed at West Penn Hardwoods where she oversees retail operations and inventory. Hailey’s other favorite title is being an Aunt to 8 nieces and nephews. She is a member at Discovery Church where she loves to serve and is constantly trying to become more involved. She loves to be able to praise and give God the glory for all He has done in her life. Hailey also enjoys volunteering where she can for a variety of organizations and is involved in the recovery community here in Hickory. She is very excited and looking forward to being a peer advocate for this year’s board.
Robert Broome
Robert has lived in Hickory since the summer before his 3rd grade year at Viewmont Elementary School. Other than living two years in Houghton, NY where he played college basketball he has always lived in the South. Robert graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in business management in 1987, has been married to his lovely wife Mimi for 34 years and has 4 adult children, two of whom work in the family business with him. He is also a proud grandfather of 3 grandchildren. Robert is President and a partner in Broome Insurance, a Legacy Insurance Partner where he has worked for 36 years. Robert enjoys biking and kayaking in the NC mountains with his wife as well as lake sports at the lake Hickory property his grandfather first purchased and built in the late 60’s. Roberts first love is Jesus and seeing his kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven. He is an elder and New Life Church in Taylorsville and also serves on the Salvation Army board.
John “Patrick” Wiggs
Patrick Wiggs grew up in Hickory, and now lives in Newton, NC. Graduated from Appalachian State University in 2002 with a BSBA in Information Systems and Technologies. Since college, Patrick has spent 20 years in the finance and banking field, and now works for PNC Bank for the past 15 years, as Treasury Management Officer for Western NC and Upstate SC. Patrick and wife Kristy have been married for 13 years. Patrick and his wife are currently attending SOMA Church here in Hickory, NC. Patrick enjoys spending time with wife, traveling, and playing golf.
Carrie DeLeary
Carrie DeLeary graduated with a BS in Nursing from the University of Florida and has recently retired from management with ABS Entertainment, as a booking and road manager. She and her husband, Dr. Geoffrey DeLeary, have four adult children. Carrie is passionate about God’s Word, her faith, family, wellness, and justice. She is an essential oil educator with DoTerra and a certified Revelation Wellness personal and group fitness trainer. In the past 10 years, Carrie has been traveling for work and is looking forward to this season of plugging herself back into the community, especially Safe Harbor.
Dennis Smart
More about Dennis coming soon!
Thank you to our former Board Members
CYNTHIA CLONTZ
RICHARD SOLOMON
SANDY DUNBAR
LAUREN VAUGHN
JOYCE STEELMAN
KEN TROYER
EDDIE BROUSSARD
NILA LANE
LAURIE MODLIN
KIRK HOBART
KATIE TAYLOR
JENNIFER JONES
Mike Richey
cassia dowdy
Jennifer Whipple
JUDY SMITH
DON WIMBISH
PATRICIA (PAT) RICE
PATRICIA COOPER
SABINA HARDY
CLIFTON SMITH
CHRISTINA BOLICH
CHARLES DURRETT
JON DAVID (JD) ROSS
PAT ANDERSON
FRANK PLOTTS
MATT INGRAM
DAVID WASHCO
SUSAN GUEST
ABBY VADEN
FRANK COLETTO
DAN CASTILLEJA
SCARLET DAVIS
DRU SCHNEEBERGER
IRENE AUSTIN
JUSTIN DAVIS
ANGI HOUSTON
SANDY SCHRONCE
DEBBIE HAYNES
