RiverLink welcomes six new members for its 2015 board of directors

The new members for RiverLinks board of directors for 2015 are: Fed Cardina, retired senior human resource vice president for Siemans and a private consultant; Carol Fortham, a retired attorney; Sandra Kellman, co-chair of the firm’s Global Hospitality and Leisure sector and co-chair of DLA Piper’s Global Real Estate Summit;  Sandy Melton, co-owner of Blue Heron Whitewater; Joseph Ransmier, a craftsman and a woodworker; and finally, Jason Young, town manger for Woodfin.

“We are off to another exciting year with an empowered board of directors and dedicated small professional staff working on behalf of the beautiful French Broad River,” says Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink. “We are thrilled and honored that the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay is the number one priority of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is attracting over $50 million in funds to make our rivers more accessible with mixed-use, mixed-income and multi-modal opportunities.”

“The French Broad River watershed is a destination for more and more people, companies and residents for living, learning, working and playing,” she says.

For more information about RiverLink, as well as on how to become involved with the non-profit, you can visit their website at riverlink.org.

Press Release from Karen Cragnolin, executive director at RiverLink:

ASHEVILLE, NC — RiverLink is pleased to announce six new members are joining  its board of directors for fiscal year 2015-2015 as follows:

Fed Cardina, is an active member of the community and the Ollie Center at UNCA.  Fred  brings a lifetime of experience to the RiverLink board as a retired  Senior Human Resource Vice President for Siemans and  a private consultant. Fred has been actively engaged with RiverLink for several years in the Ross Creek restoration and storm water programs RiverLink has undertaken to clean up this impaired 303 d listed  stream that drains Chunns Cove crossing under Tunnel Road before reaching Kenilworth and finally flowing into  the Swannao River.

Carol Fortham is a retired attorney.  Her previous practice focused  primarily on conservation work, with experience in zoning issues and right of way acquisition. Carol has been an active volunteer with RiverLink since arriving in Asheville.  She  worked closely with RiverLink  staff to  submit Land Trust Accreditation documents. She has also been an enthusiastic volunteer with RiverLink’s education and events programs.

Sandra Kellman concentrates her practice on all aspects of commercial real estate development and finance, with particular focus on acquisition, disposition, development, management and financing of hotels and mixed use projects, representing owners and brands in single property and complex multi-state portfolio transactions. Sandi works on projects throughout the United States and abroad, including projects in the Caribbean and Middle East. Sandi co-chairs the firm’s Global Hospitality and Leisure sector and co-chairs DLA Piper’s Global Real Estate Summit. She served for many years on the firm’s Policy Committee. Sandi is a new homeowner and part time resident of Asheville.

Sandy Melton – Sandy is a long time resident of Madison County and part owner of Blue Heron Whitewater. Sandy is an important fixture of the Madison County paddling,   cultural arts  and farming communities in Madison County  where she has lived and worked for decades.  Sandy will be an important voice and advocate  for the new river access points RiverLink is planning in Madison County.

Joseph Ransmier  has had a studio in the River Arts District since 1995 and is the longest continuously practicing artist in the district.  Joe is a master craftsman and  woodworker with strong ties to larger arts and business communities evolving along the urban riverfront.

Jason Young is the Town Manger for Woodfin and strong advocate for rivers, greenways and open space for clean water, quality of life and as a leverage to attract new businesses.  RiverLink has had a long standing relationship with the Town of Woodfin  and is very exited to be working with the community as it further expands its river and greenway initiatives.

Existing RiverLink Board Members include:
Chair , Esther Cartwright – Comptroller for AvL Technologies
Vice-Chair – Brian Moore — Director of Planning and Public Policy Mission Hospital Systems
Secretary – Peter Sprague – Ingles Markets
Treasurer- Paul Dismukes – retired Health Care
Ken Grossman – CEO, Sierra Nevada Brewing
Dick Hall – retired Aeronautical Engineer
Renee Kumor – retired  Chair of Henderson County Commissioners and published author
Joe Sasfy – retied Music Critic Washington Post and Time-Life Music series
Denise Snodgrass – retired Deputy Director UNCA Center for Creative Retirement
David Whilden – Senior Trust Officer Boys Arnold Trust Company
Debi Whitmire – Co-owner Headwater Outfitters,  Transylvania County.

According to Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink, “we are off to another exciting year with an empowered board of directors and dedicated small professional staff working on behalf of the  beautiful French Broad River. We are thrilled and honored that  the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay is the number one priority of the  Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is  attracting over $50 million in funds to make our rivers more accessible with mixed-use, mixed-income and multi-modal opportunities. The French Broad River watershed   is a destination for more and more people, companies and residents  for living, learning, working and playing.”

For more information about RiverLink and to become involved visit our website at riverlink.org, take one of our monthly tours and come to one of our two monthly volunteer orientation sessions. Join us  and 2,700 volunteers who working together make the French Broad River watershed  cleaner, more accessible and more appealing every day.