Carrie Afandor -- Programs and Services
Carrie Afanador currently oversees the children’s programming at Perkinsville Baptist Church as the Minister to Families and Children. Before moving to the High Country, she spent twelve years teaching both nationally and internationally. As an educator and a mother of three, she recognizes the importance of building a foundation in the early days of a child’s life. Having lived abroad and raising her children in a bilingual home has given her a unique understanding of the benefits and needs of a dual language community. The Children’s Council seeks to meet all of those needs and she is pleased to partner with them. Carrie is married to Francisco and, with their three children, they love to travel, hike, and cook. 
M. Anthony Brumfield, II, Chair Elect and Treasurer -- Finance
Anthony Brumfield moved to Boone in 2007 and has lived in the area on and off since then. He is currently the Assistant General Manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Boone, NC. Anthony loves being involved in many different ways with the community. It is important to him that people who live in a community make a positive impact on that area. He enjoys attending his church Cornerstone Summit Church! Faith, Family and the upliftment of other people are key to him. Anthony loves serving on the Board and is excited to see the organization continue to grow. 
Stephanie Craven Bunch, Secretary -- Programs and Services
Stephanie Bunch moved to Boone to attend Appalachian State University in 2005 and has stayed ever since. Stephanie has a strong passion for the families of children in the High Country, as well as the early childhood education workforce. Stephanie first recognized the importance of giving back to the community by working with child care centers and school districts in the High Country through a childhood obesity grant. From that experience, she has gained a great relationship with The Children’s Council of Watauga County and has realized the true impact this agency has in the High Country through this partnership and by being a mom. Agency staff are always at every event and every community meeting bringing resources and help for families. She is honored to serve on this Board. 
Crawford Cleveland, III -- Personnel
Crawford grew up on the Gulf Coast and moved up to the High Country from New Orleans. He is a partner with the law firm di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson & Garrett, PLLC. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Corporate Counsel to one of Louisiana’s largest construction companies. His primary focus of law is construction law, government compliance, and general civil litigation. He is married to Brynn Cleveland, a third-grade teacher with Watauga County Schools. They have two young boys, Harry and Ferris. As a father and member of the Board of Directors for the Children’s Council, Crawford is dedicated to ensuring that all of the children in our area receive the best possible early childhood experience. 
Stephanie DeKyzer -- Fund Development
Stephanie DeKeyzer has been a resident of the high country for over 10 years. She and her husband, Adrian, welcomed their first child, Ellis, in 2015. She occupies much of their time together, and they love every minute they spend with her. Ellis has a few furry brothers and sisters, as well: 2 dogs, 2 cats and 3 goats. They hope to add chickens to the mix very soon! After attending college here and there for the better portion of her adult life, she decided to quit her full-time office job to focus on her studies. Stephanie is passionate about children and is currently enrolled as a full-time student with plans to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in December 2017. She will then pursue a Master's degree and specialize in child psychology. Having a child makes us see the world differently, and she strives to make it a better place for the children of her community, as well as children around the world. She strongly believes every child deserves equal opportunities and the best of everything we have to offer. They are our future, and providing them with the tools to succeed today will ultimately lead to a better tomorrow. 
Paul Holden -- Personnel
Paul Holden is a native of McLean, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. He moved to North Carolina in 2002 after having spent the previous 18 years in Tampa, Florida. Paul is a sports enthusiast who participated in varsity swimming as an undergraduate and has coached 35 sports teams over the span of his professional and parenting career. Paul has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1989. He has served in seven school districts across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The school districts have ranged in size from 200,000 plus students to his current district of Watauga County Schools which serves 4,400 students. His last 15 years have included managing student services programming in three NC school districts, including his current role as Student Services Director in Watauga County Schools. Paul’s passion for early childhood services has grown from his managing the Pre-K program in two school districts and engaging with early childhood partners in every district where he has worked. Paul holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of South Florida, a Master of Social Work from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Georgetown University. Paul and his wife, Kim, are in the process of raising six children. Kim has served as the executive director of the Catawba County Partnership for Children for the past 19 years. 
Tom Hughes -- Personnel
Tom Hughes is a native of the North Carolina High Country and ASU alumni. He is Watauga County Social Services Director and is deeply committed to helping others. Tom loves camping and touring the mountains, especially on the back of a motorcycle. He enjoys working with and getting to know new people. He is passionate about his service to vulnerable populations and is dedicated to helping people reach self-sufficiency and full potential. Motto: Let us work hard to leave it better than we found it. 
Tina Kesler, Fund Development Committee Chair
Tina Kesler moved to Boone in 2002 to attend Appalachian State University. After falling in love with the area, she decided to make the High Country home for her and her children. She has worked in Early Intervention since 2011 and strongly believes in the mission of the Children’s Council of Watauga County. Tina joined the board of directors of the Children’s Council in 2015 and has been the Chair of the Fund Development Committee since 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, swimming, and gardening. 
Meggan Knight -- Programs and Services Chair
Program Coordinator for Who Needs A Change Meggan has always been an advocate for young children. She has worked with young children for over 15 years as a teacher, teacher's assistant, coach and early interventionist. Meggan received a degree in Child Development from Appalachian State University and was an educator for 7 years with the public school system. She lives in Blowing Rock with her husband and 6 year old daughter. Meggan started 'Who Needs a Change? of the High Country' because of her belief that all children deserve equal care and basic necessities and all children should have the opportunity to remain clean, healthy, and happy. Meggan also serves on the Board of Directors of the Children's Council and is the co-chair of the Fund Development Committee. 
Gary T. Moss, Jr. - Board Chair
His best and most enjoyable times are spent with his family. Whether they are hiking on a sunny afternoon on Grandfather Mountain, watching an Appalachian State football game, or walking on the beach in Cherry Grove, there is no place he would rather be than with his wife, Fuschia, and their three children, Skylar, Thomas, and Mitchell. Having played competitive soccer from a young age through college, he understands the importance of a team, and his family is his team. Family is the most important part of his life. Because of this, he believes in the importance of planning for the future. Gary’s community Involvement includes volunteering with Meals on Wheels, a member of the Boone Chamber of Commerce, Watauga Leadership Challenge Participant, member of the Lees McRae College Alumni Board, participant of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross. 
Julie Page
Julie was born and raised in California, and it was there she met and married her husband John of 28 years. They attended Bible college together in Los Angeles and when John graduated they took their first appointment in Boone North Carolina. They were pastors of a local church for 16 years. They felt this Boone was a wonderful place to raise their five children. As their children got older Julie opened a Family Child Care Home and has been loving it for 6 years. She saw how much the Children’s Council supported her business, Little Jewels Home Child Care, and young children in Watauga county and wanted to be a part and to give back. 
Larry Turnbow -- Finance
Larry Turnbow has been married for 34 years with three children, “and a few other kids who were ‘theirs’ for a time.” Larry is a retired Applied Environmental Microbiologist; A+ certified computer technician, and an Army Veteran. He retired from a career in Environmental Management and now proudly supports our schools and jobs in sustainable industries. |
Schedule for Meetings for 2016-2017
4 PM Board of Directors – 4th Monday of July, September, November, February, April, June at Courtyard Marriott in Boone ***Special meeting called May 24th at 4:00pm at the Courtyard Marriott in Boone 4 PM Executive – 3rd Thursday of July, September, November, January, March, May at the Children's Council in Boone **Special meeting called December 21st at 9:30am at the Children's Council in Boone 4 PM Finance – 2nd Monday of October, December, February, April, June at the Children's Council in Boone 10 AM Programs and Services – 4th Tuesday of October, January, March, May at the Children's Council in Boone **January meeting will be the 3rd Tuesday 3 PM Personnel – 3rd Tuesday of July, September, November, January, March, May as needed North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Committee Meetings 12 PM NC PreK Committee Meetings -- 4th Wednesday of each month. Meetings held at Watauga County Schools Central Office. Click here to view our Children’s Council Annual Report 2010-2011 Click here to view our Children's Council Annual Report 2011-2012 Click here to view our Children's Council Annual Report 2012-2013 Click here to view our Children's Council Annual Report 2013-2014 Click here to view our Children's Council Annual Report 2014-2015 Click here to view our Children's Council Annual Report 2015-2016 |
