The Henderson County Education Foundation (HCEF) is thrilled to announce the appointment
of seven new members to its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. These dedicated
individuals bring a wealth of experience and passion for education to HCEF, further
strengthening the organization's ability to support the students and educators of Henderson
County Public Schools (HCPS).
"We are incredibly fortunate to welcome such talented and enthusiastic individuals to our
board," said Peggy Marshall, HCEF Executive Director. "They bring a wealth of knowledge, a
deep passion for our community, and a strong dedication to supporting education."
HCEF is committed to enhancing educational opportunities and outcomes for students and staff
by funding innovative classroom projects, providing scholarships for graduating seniors,
supporting the arts, mentoring middle and high school students, promoting STEM education and
literacy, and nurturing future educators.
The foundation also works to bridge gaps in resources,
ensuring that all students have access to the tools and experiences necessary for academic and
personal growth. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, HCEF empowers
the educational community and contributes to the long-term success of Henderson County
students.
The addition of these new board members will further propel the HCEF's mission to “invest in and
respond to the whole child and the whole school to create a thriving community.”
The incoming board members include:
Kimbrell Arrowood:
Kimbrell Arrowood is a native of Henderson County and a graduate of
East Henderson High School. She studied Broadcast Media from North
Greenville University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. For the past
two years, she has been the Public Information Officer for HCPS.
Kimbrell is married to Tyler Arrowood, an HCPS educator, and they have
two children, Westlyn (HCPS Class of 2035) and Marek (HCPS Class of
2039). She is the daughter of an educator and has a passion for the local
school system. Kimbrell is proud to serve what she believes is the best school district in North
Carolina. In her free time she loves spending quality time with family.
Brock N. Goodling:
Brock N. Goodling, a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual, has
served on HCEF committees and we are excited to have him officially join
our board. Brock attended Anderson University and graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He has a diverse work background as
branch manager, commercial relationship manager in business banking,
and financial advisor/wealth planner.
Alongside his professional pursuits, Brock actively engages in community service, serving on
the WNC Source Board, AB Tech Golf Committee, and the HCEF Finance and
Fundraising/Marketing Committees. Additionally, he is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma Fraternity,
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, and Asheville Chamber of Commerce.
Brock is enthusiastic about joining the HCEF Board to enhance the Henderson County
community by ensuring that the educational system and its beneficiaries have the necessary
resources to reach their full potential. He is married with three children, all of whom are either
current or former students of HCPS.
Bradley C. Jones:
Bradley C. Jones was born in Rome, GA in and moved to Hendersonville,
NC in 1978. His parents Don and Pat Jones were both educators and
directed Camp Kanuga from 1975-1981.
He graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1987 and attended the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
in Finance in 1991 and graduated with a masters degree in Sport
Administration in 1993. He served as a student manager for the UT Men’s Track and Field team
that won the NCAA and SEC outdoor titles in 1991.
Professionally, he has worked in the field of community banking since 2000 in the
Hendersonville market with several state and national banks. Areas of experience include
mortgage banking, business and commercial banking, area and branch management, premier
relationship banking, and financial planning. Currently, he serves as Vice President and Premier
Relationship Banker for First Citizens Bank. Also, he serves as a Registered Representative for
First Citizens Investor Services, Inc.
Amy Laughter:
Amy Laughter holds dual roles as a real estate agent with George Estate
Group, licensed in North Carolina, and as a retired educator from HCPS.
With a Bachelor of Science from Mars Hill College and a Master's degree
from Western Carolina University, Amy's educational journey spans 31
years, encompassing 16 years as a teacher, 5.5 years as an instructional
coach, and 9.5 years as a Regional Education Facilitator.
Amy’s whole family is connected and invested in HCPS. Her husband BJ Laughter is a former
HCPS educator and coach and their daughter is a graduate of HCPS. Dedicated to community
service, Amy served on the HCEF Board for six years and formerly served as president. She is
thrilled to continue her involvement because she believes fervently that "every child deserves to
have an amazing educational experience."
Jessica Collins McAlister:
Jessica Collins McAlister, from Hendersonville, served on the HCEF Board
of Directors from 2017 to 2023 and served as President from 2021 to 2023.
After a hiatus of one year, she is returning to support the students and staff
of HCPS.
Jessica graduated from West Henderson High School before pursuing her
Bachelor of Science at Appalachian State University and her Master of Science at High Point
University. Currently, she works as a Physician Recruiter at Pardee Hospital and also serves on
the Appalachian State University Alumni Chapter Leadership Board.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys hiking, traveling, sewing and working on home renovations
with her husband.
Michelle Mullinax:
Michelle Jones Mullinax, a ninth generation native of Henderson County
and Edneyville High School graduate, is the CEO of Vocational Solutions of
Henderson County, Inc. Michelle’s father, Chat Jones, was on the founding
Board of HCEF. Michelle is a graduate of the University of North Carolina
Asheville and has been a CPA for over twenty years. Michelle has served
on the HCEF Finance Committee for the last year.
Michelle and her husband Todd have three children. Their son, Jay, is a
graduate of Hendersonville High School and is currently in law school at Campbell University.
Their twin daughters, Laura and Lily are current HCPS students. Michelle enjoys spending time
with her family and friends.
Jimmie Lynn Whitmire:
Jimmie Lynn Whitmire of Hendersonville, retired in 2018 after 46 years as
a Registered Dental Hygienist. She has volunteered with The Free Clinics
Dental Division and in Henderson County Public Schools. Jimmie Lynn
completed six years of board service to the Henderson County Education
Foundation from 2016 to 2022. She is also a former 1st Grade Sunday
School teacher, PTO Officer, and served on the PTO Parent Advisory
Council. She has also been an active volunteer on HCEF committees.
Her family has deep roots in the Henderson County Public School System. She currently serves
on the Children and Family Resources Board of Directors. She has one son and daughter in law
and two granddaughters. She enjoys her Yorkie, volunteering, scrapbooking and spending time
with her family and friends.
We invite the community to join us in welcoming our new board members. For more information
about our programs or to learn how you can support the foundation, visit www.hcefnc.org or
email us at
About the Henderson County Education Foundation: Founded in October 1986, the
Henderson County Education Foundation, HCEF, has provided resources aimed at improving
the educational experience for Henderson County students and citizens for 38 years. The
mission of HCEF is to “invest in and respond to the whole child and the whole school to create
a thriving community.”
