App State’s Future

The App State Hickory campus, pictured in April 2024, opened to its inaugural class of Mountaineer students on Aug. 21, 2023. Phase 2 renovations to the facility are underway and include creating more classrooms and offices on the second floor, with some new classrooms to be ready by fall 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The App State Hickory Campus Advisory Council comprises a dynamic group of business, education, government and civic leaders from Hickory and the surrounding area who are participating in the planning process for App State’s Hickory campus.

Hickory Campus Advisory Council members

This list reflects active council members as of February 28, 2025.

**Dr. Heather Norris**
*Chancellor, Appalachian State University*

**Austin Allran**
*Former North Carolina Senator*

**Kevin Baxter**
*Vice Chancellor and Chief Campus Officer, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM)-Morganton*

**Jeff Behmer**
*ABS Legacy Partners LLC*

**Dennis Johnson**
*President and CEO, Catawba Valley Medical Center*

**Diana Beasley**
*Hickory campus community liaison*

**Vance Dalton Jr.**
*President and CEO, Carolina Farm Credit; Chair, Catawba Valley Community College Board of Trustees*

**Matthew Dockham**
*Director of External Affairs and Community Relations, App State*

**Mike Ellwanger**
*Director of Global Cable Product Development, Corning Optical Communications*

**Hank Foreman**
*Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Chief of Staff, and Secretary, App State*

**Yaidee Fox**
*Executive Assistant Manager, City of Hickory*

**Mary Furtado**
*Assistant County Manager, Catawba County Government*

**Kimberly George**
*Senior Vice President, Alex Lee Inc.*

**Dr. Philip Greene**
*CEO, Frye Regional Medical*

**Scott Hildebran**
*City of Lenoir Manager*

**Brandon Hucks '96**
*CFO, Century Furniture Industries*

**Sam Hunt**
*President Hickory Branch - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People*

**Lindsay Keisler**
*President and CEO, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce*

**Meg Nealon**
*Principal, Nealon Planning*

**Brock Long**
*Executive Chair, Hagerty Consulting*

**Andy Lovingood**
*President, McGill Associates*

**Tommy Luckadoo**
*President, Mayberry Partners LLC; Member of the N.C. Education and Workforce Innovation Commission*

**Andy Matthews**
*Executive Vice President, Matthews Construction Co.*

**Scott Millar**
*President, Catawba County Economic Development Corporation*

**Carol Moore**
*CEO and President, STEM West*

**Clay Neill**
*Vice President, Neil Grading & Construction Co.*

**Jill Patton**
*City of Hickory Council Member*

**Mark Poarch**
*President, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute*

**Carlos Rodriguez**
*Founder and Senior Pastor, iChurch*

**Stephen Shuford**
*CEO, Shurtape Technologies LLC*

**Anthony Starr**
*Executive Director, Western Piedmont Council of Governments*

**Paul Thompson**
*CEO, Transportation Insight; Thompson established the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship at App State*

**Charlotte Williams**
*City of Hickory Council Member; Former Associate Dean and Professor, Lenoir-Rhyne University*

**Tony Wood**
*City of Hickory Council Member*

**Warren Wood**
*City of Hickory Manager*

**Steve Wyatt**
*App State Board of Trustees Member*

Major current projects:

Nearly completed major projects:

Major completed projects:

App State's Hickory Campus

Experience the unparalleled value of App State at its new Hickory campus. We make it convenient for you to earn a degree while living at home.

Whether you attend full or part time, or you’re beginning or returning to college, enroll in one of our industry-relevant bachelor's degrees in Hickory — while saving on the usual college room and board costs.

Learn more

App State Hickory Campus Advisory Council

Hickory Campus Advisory Council members

Related Links:

Major current projects:

Nearly completed major projects:

Major completed projects:

App State's Hickory Campus