Board of Directors

"Kendra is the General Manager of the downtown Boone location for Mast General Store. She is also the President of the Downtown Boone Development Association. She was appointed to the Board in October of 2022 and will finish up her third term in July of 2025."

"Suzanne Livesay joined the Appalachian Theatre as Executive Director in August 2022 and promptly joined the DBDA. She's lived in the High Country since 2020 and enjoyed the area as an annual summer visitor to Boone since 2007. Suzanne enjoys supporting the arts, trying new culinary experiences, and spending time outdoors with her family."

"Austin, along with his wife are the owners of Blue Deer Cookies with locations in Boone, Blowing Rock and West Jefferson. He was appointed to the Board in August of 2020 and will finish up his second term in July of 2026."

"Michelle currently serves as the Director of University Property for Appalachian State University. Michelle was appointed to the Board in 2019 and will finish up her second term in July of 2025."

"Sarah Long is a longtime downtown Boone resident and a real estate broker. She is the owner of 828 Real Estate, also located in downtown Boone. Her husband, Matt Long, is a general contractor and they have2 children- Sadie Rose and Levi (and a pup named Lu) Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, serving in her community and introducing others to the High Country."

"Renee is the founder of the F.A.R.M Cafe and currently serves as their Director of Community Engagement. She was the inaugural recipient for the 1872 Award from the Town of Boone for her contributions to the cultural fabric of Boone and her passion for taking care of the under-served. She was appointed to the Board in October of 2022 and will finish up her first term in July of 2025."

"Mike and his wife Amy are the owners of the casual and innovative restaurant fizzEd located in the heart of downtown Boone. He was appointed to the Board in August of 2023 and will finish up his first term in July of 2026."

"Megan along with her husband Aram are the owners of SouthEnd Brewing located in downtown Boone and Greensboro, NC. Megan was appointed to the Board by Town Council in December of 2022 and her first term will end in July of 2025."

"Since moving to the High Country in 2009, Lindsay has spent over a decade in the nonprofit sector and has developed a strong passion for giving back to the community. She volunteers her time with nonprofits focusing on education, land conservation and human services, and is passionate about philanthropy that helps to connect people to causes that matter to them."

"I came to ASU in 1977 and majored in finance, economics & banking. After a variety of sales jobs I settled into the world of real estate starting several businesses in downtown Boone; Pads for Grads, White Fence Farm & The Horton Hotel. Now my wife Denise & I just roam around campus and town in a semi retired state being thankful that we live in such a beautiful and special place."

"Vanessa White is the co-owner of HIghway Robbery. She was appointed to the Board by Town Council in August of 2023 and her first term will end in July of 2026."

"Edie was elected to her second term on Town Council in November of 2023 and appointed as liaison to the Downtown Boone Development Association in January of 2024, for the second time. She has lived in Boone for 57 years and loves everything about Boone! During her term she is focused on affordable housing, preserving residential neighborhoods and repairing relationships between the Town and County."

"Town Council Member Eric Plaag (elected 2023) is a professional historical consultant who moved to Boone in 2011. Since his arrival, he has served the Boone community in a number of volunteer capacities, including four terms as chairperson of the Boone Historic Preservation Commission, one term on the board of the Downtown Boone Development Association, and two terms as vice chair of the Boone Planning Commission. He also served for eight years on the Board of Trustees of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, and he has been the treasurer of the Watauga County Historical Society since 2016 and the chairperson of the Digital Watauga Project since its founding in 2014. He was inducted into the Watauga County Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2023."

"As the Downtown Development Coordinator for the Town of Boone, I am dedicated to fostering a sense of community and growth in our wonderful mountain town. Having lived in Boone for 24 years and worked for the town for 15, I have a deep appreciation for our charming downtown area. I enjoy connecting people, supporting local businesses, and celebrating the unique character of Boone. It's a privilege to contribute to the vitality of our downtown and to help ensure it remains a welcoming and thriving place for everyone."