Who We Are

We're your neighbors in Yancey County who came together after Hurricane Helene hit in 2024.

We're not an outside organization—we're teachers, farmers, business owners, and volunteers from right here, coordinating resources to support our community's recovery.

Our Leadership and Board

Chris Sigmon

Executive Director and Board Member

CHRIS SIGMON grew up in Yancey County and recently returned home after a wide-ranging career in manufacturing and operations. He holds a degree in economics and industrial relations from UNC–Chapel Hill, as well as executive finance training from Stanford. Over the past two decades, Chris has led national and international teams across medical manufacturing, automotive, electronics, and private equity environments.

He has served on five boards—including United Way—and has extensive experience reporting to and collaborating with board leadership. Known for his steady, people-centered approach, Chris brings strong operational leadership and a genuine commitment to mentoring and supporting teams.

Today, Chris serves as Yancey County Planner, where he has been helping guide the county’s disaster recovery process. He remains deeply committed to a strong, equitable recovery and to building long-term resilience for the community he calls home.

Jonathan Hartsell

JONATHAN HARTSELL grew up in Pittsboro, N.C., and studied at community college, Appalachian State University, and UNC Wilmington. His wife teaches Biology at Mountain Heritage High School, and together they are proud to call Yancey County home.

Jonathan brings deep natural resources expertise through his work with the NC Conservation and Development Association, where he supports a seven-county region in planning and implementing projects that protect environmental resources while strengthening social and economic conditions in rural communities.

His involvement with the Yancey LTRG has spanned waterways recovery, stormwater and watershed improvements, expansion of parks and trails, and wildfire mitigation and outreach. Jonathan is known for bridging technical knowledge with a genuine commitment to community well-being.

“I love this community,” he says—and his work reflects that every day.

Martha Tyner

MARTHA TYNER says that “48 years ago she married a man from off—even though he was born here. She has loved getting to know this community and its people ever since. She has two children and “has always cared deeply for the people here,” a thread that runs through every chapter of her work and service.

Martha’s professional experience includes serving families through Buncombe County WIC and child protective services at DSS, as well as roles with Davids Limited and Tyner Construction. Her board leadership is extensive: she has served on the Spruce Pine Hospital Foundation and Blue Ridge Hospital boards—chairing the latter—and on the board of Dogwood Health Trust (DHT).

DHT was established when Mission Health was purchased by Hospital Corporation of America. Guided by an understanding of what past generations built and what future generations will need, its mission is to ensure that people across the 18 western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary have access to what they need to thrive—health, wellness, housing, food, and much more.

Martha brings vision and a vivid imagination to everything she does.

Johnny Riddle

JOHNNY RIDDLE was born and raised in Yancey County and has been married to his high school sweetheart for 37 years. He has two daughters—one of whom lives in the county with her husband and Johnny’s first grandchild.

Over the years, Johnny has owned and operated several local businesses, including moving services, tent rentals, appliance repair, and storage rentals. He served Yancey County as a Commissioner for 13 years and later as Clerk of Court, bringing steady leadership and a deep understanding of local needs.

Johnny has also contributed extensively through board service, including Compassionate Care, DSS, Mayland Community College, Mayland MEC, the MAY Coalition, and the High Country Council. He was part of the collaborative effort that helped launch TRACTOR, strengthening local agriculture and food access.

“I like to collaborate and to help people,” Johnny says—an approach reflected throughout his decades of service to the community he calls home.

Lisa Schultz

LISA SCHULTZ describes herself as an Air Force “brat”—“I’ve always been from off”—but she has called Yancey County home for the past 21 years. She and her husband live in South Toe, where their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson also reside.

Lisa spent the first 20 years of her career as a Human Resources Manager in both large and small organizations, across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She then shifted into education for another two decades, working with Montessori preschoolers, teaching teens at Arthur Morgan School, and helping launch the toddler program at Spruce Pine Montessori, where she ultimately served as Head of School.

She brings deep administrative strength and a steady, service-oriented approach to every team she joins. As she puts it, “I am willing to do the boring, administrative, necessary things no one else wants to do—take notes, write procedures, keep track of priorities, whatever.”

Lisa has served on and chaired multiple nonprofit boards, and her commitment is simple and heartfelt: “I want to help the people of this county.”

Ted Bruner

TED BRUNER has spent more than 45 years as a Big Brother, also serving on the organization’s board—a reflection of his long-standing commitment to mentoring and showing up for others. He has served as an Elder in his church and participated in international mission work focused on construction and community support.

Seeing a local need, Ted founded A Bridge Home, a small bridge-construction enterprise dedicated to helping neighbors access their homes safely. He has also worked closely with state partners to “get things right” and ensure projects meet critical standards and community needs.

Professionally, Ted is retired from a national and international career spanning information technology systems, project management, construction, and systems development. He most recently served as Chief Information Officer at Mars Hill University.

Deeply committed to service, Ted says his goal is simple: to continue to “help people in Yancey County.”

John Miller

JOHN MILLER serves as the Director of Reconciliation House, where he helps ensure that local families have access to essentials—food, utilities, assistance with applications, and other critical supports. His work is rooted in decades of nonprofit experience in both Yancey and Mitchell Counties, including collaborative efforts to strengthen food security with TRACTOR, PATH, Dig In!, and Mitchell Community Gardens.

John has also served on several nonprofit boards, including WAMY and the AMY Wellness Foundation, contributing his steady leadership and deep community knowledge.

He grew up in a church community that placed a high value on service, and from a young age he worked on projects supporting low-income families. That early foundation continues to shape his work today. John speaks often about “the value of walking in someone else’s shoes” and holds a strong commitment to community, compassion, and helping people wherever he can.

The Team

  • Becky Ammons

    Project Manager

    BECKY AMMONS is a dedicated and compassionate servant-leader with a deep commitment to strengthening her community. She believes that clear, empathetic communication creates space for understanding and harmony—and that we are always better when we work together.

    Outside of her professional work, Becky enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, reading, and listening to music.

  • Laura Wilson

    Case Manager

    LAURA WILSON began serving the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, first working with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders before joining the Yancey County Long-Term Recovery Group as a Case Manager. She is grateful for the opportunity to support neighbors through recovery and is glad to be part of the LTRG team, working alongside “a great group of friends.”

  • Chrissy Adkins

    Case Manager

    CHRISSY ADKINS founded the Bee Log Community & Relief Center one year ago in the wake of Hurricane Helene. A resident of Bee Log, Chrissy is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve her neighbors and strengthen the community she calls family. Through her leadership, the Center has become a gathering place for connection, care, and continued regional resilience.

    When she’s not helping others, Chrissy enjoys spending time with her beloved fur-babies and cheering on her grandson at the ball field.

  • Katie Houser

    Case Manager

    You may recognize KATIE HOUSER from her previous work with Bald Creek Relief. She is excited to be stepping into the role of Disaster Case Manager and looks forward to continuing to serve the Yancey County community in this new capacity.

    Outside of recovery work, Katie enjoys spending time outdoors with her pup, Gus. You can often find them hiking local trails or foraging for mushrooms in the woods.

  • Christine Matthews

    Case Manager

    CHRISTINE MATTHEWS served 25 years in the U.S. Army in a range of operational leadership and project management roles. Drawn to the mountains, she made her home in Burnsville and quickly became deeply invested in the community. During Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, she coordinated with the North Carolina National Guard and Samaritan’s Purse to bring Chinook helicopters to the region, delivering critical emergency supplies to Mitchell and Yancey counties. Christine is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving and supporting this resilient mountain community.