Economy Recovery Board (Hybrid) (Nov 20, 2025)

Recap of the Economy Recovery Board Meeting (November 20, 2025)

The inaugural full meeting of the City of Asheville’s Economy Recovery Board took place on November 20, 2025, held in the First Floor Conference Room. The meeting was a hybrid event, with all board members present in person and streamed live on the city's virtual engagement hub for public access via phone and online comment queue. Chris Corl served as the staff liaison, guiding the initial proceedings. The meeting aimed to formally establish the board and begin laying the groundwork for its operational structure, following a preliminary meeting on November 4th.

The agenda began with introductions and roll call, confirming the presence of all board members except for Eva Michelle Spicer, Jeffrey Burrows (initially), and Katie Cornell (initially). Following introductions, the board unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting on November 4th, a motion made by John Ellis and seconded by Pat Kappas. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to electing a Chair and Vice-Chair, transitioning leadership responsibilities from the staff liaison. Six individuals were nominated, but four expressed a strong interest in these roles: Jessica Thomason, Ann Keller, John Ellis, and Jeffrey Burrows. Each candidate briefly outlined their qualifications and motivations for seeking the positions. Jessica Thomason highlighted her extensive experience in arts, entrepreneurship, and youth development, while Ann Keller emphasized her diverse background and leadership skills within various city commissions. John Ellis briefly introduced himself, noting he was out of town for the initial meeting.

While the process of nominating and hearing from candidates was completed, the transcript excerpt provided does not detail the outcome of the officer elections. The meeting concluded with this ongoing process, leaving the selection of a Chair and Vice-Chair pending.

The overall tone of the meeting was collaborative and well-organized, with board members actively participating in discussions about leadership roles. The focus remained squarely on establishing the foundational elements of the board’s operations and identifying individuals capable of guiding future meetings. Future updates regarding the election results will be provided as they become available.