Business Buzz: 6/22/21

June 22, 2021

Announcement:

  • Mercy Urgent Care President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Johnston is retiring after 27 years of service with the Sisters of Mercy organization. Johnston began working with Sisters of Mercy in 1987 as the Imaging and Special Services Director at St. Joseph’s Hospital and has been the President and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care since October 2005. Under Johnston’s leadership, not-for-profit Mercy Urgent Care grew from three Buncombe County sites to eight locations in five counties; and Mercy for Haiti was established. During the pandemic, Mercy added telemedicine—enabling the safe provision of care—and performed more than 32,000 COVID-19 tests. Rachel Sossoman will take over as President and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care and the Catherine McAuley Mercy Foundation as of July 1, 2021.
  • Dogwood Health Trust has announced that it has invested $25 million in the newly created Pisgah Fund, a $50 million investment fund focused solely on the 18 counties served by Dogwood Health Trust. The fund will seek out and make investments in start-up or existing high growth companies that can deliver innovative products or services to improve health in the region, and that will produce jobs for Western North Carolina residents. Hatteras Venture Partners will control the Pisgah Fund. Companies interested in learning more about The Pisgah Fund are encouraged to visit pisgahfund.com or send an email to lauren@pisgahfund.com.

Opportunity:

  • Archetype Brewing’s head brewer, Erin Jordan, is moving on to a new opportunity and the brewery has an opening for the position. “The legacy needs to continue and I can’t wait to pass the torch. So, if you think you’re a BADASS and have what it takes to bring Archetype to the next level, let’s get in touch!” says Jordan. Click here to apply for the position.
  • The WNC Minority Business Association has announced its inaugural WNC Black Business Expo – a networking and learning event focusing on minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Scheduled for April 8-10, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort in Asheville, the three-day event is expected to attract about 1,000 attendees from across the region. With an overarching theme of “Inspiring and Motivating the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs”, the event will  feature visionary guest speakers, educational workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, a trade show, and food and entertainment. A high profile keynote speaker is expected to be announced in the next few months. The Association is currently soliciting sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and tradeshow vendors. Various levels of sponsorship are available and include a host of benefits. For sponsorship and vendor registration forms, or for more information about the WNC Black Business Expo, visit www.wncblackexpo.com, or contact Rika Harrison at rika@wncblackexpo.com, or 828-435-5918. The WNC Minority Business Association is a non-profit organization created to advocate and promote the development of minority-owned businesses in Western North Carolina through networking events, workshops, and annual business expos.

Happenings:

  • AdventHealth Hendersonville is hosting a free webinar to highlight Nutritional Support for all ages and in all stages of life. AdventHealth Medical Group Physician Assistant, Nicole Drake, PA-C will share how nutrition can help you feel whole and take control of your health and wellness. The virtual event is Wednesday, June 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. Register here.
  • Downtown After 5, presented by Prestige Subaru, is back in downtown for its 33rd season. For 2021, Downtown After 5 will take place the 3rd Friday of the month July – September and is held on North Lexington Avenue. Events are free and open to the public. Learn more and check out the line-ups here.
  • Celebrate the return of live music to the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts with an evening of sultry soul and jazz with songstress Yolanda Rabun on Saturday, July 17 at 8 p.m. Rabun is a skilled singer with a natural storytelling instinct and comes out of the gate stunning audiences with her endless energy, commanding vocal power, and inventiveness. Plus, the Wortham Center is now safer than ever with a brand-new, venue-wide air filtration system. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

  • Chow Chow’s 2021 Culinary Event Series kicks-off June 27th and will run through September 26th. Over the next three months, Chow Chow will celebrate the Southern Appalachian region’s unique community of makers, each adding singular ingredients to the recipe for a culturally diverse culinary identity. Chow Chow is launching the Gather Together program that will offer specialized pricing for businesses that are interested in purchasing 8 tickets to one of our 18 signature events. You can view a full listing of upcoming events on the website. This is a unique opportunity for businesses to bring together their employees and community partners through team building, education, and wonderful food.  Signature events are priced at $50, $125 and $200 per ticket with special option to buy 7 tickets and get 1 free! For the $200 signature events – these are five-course dinners with paired beverages, and your guests will be seated together at your own table. For the $50 and $125 events – guests will be free to mingle and engage with chefs and beverage professionals, while enjoying a wide sampling of delicious dishes and drinks. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the mission of Chow Chow Asheville is to celebrate and enrich the unique foodways of the Southern Appalachian region. As makers, chefs, artists, farmers and business owners, Chow Chow’s vision is an equitable and thriving regional food system, where culinary and creative enterprise are central to community identity and resilience. Chow Chow welcomes the collective sum of differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent makers and guests bring to Chow Chow. For more information and to reserve tickets contact Rebecca Lynch, Executive Director, at rlynch@chowchowasheville.com

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