Mountain Area Workforce Development Board recognizes outstanding employers, adult, youth and workforce staff at 2025 Recognition Luncheon on January 15, 2026.
Winners included: 
NCWORKS NEXTGEN YOUTH PROGRAMS
Tanairi Montecillo-Beltran — Henderson County Innovation High School, OSY
Christian Webb — Goodwill NWNC - Buncombe County, OSY
Anna Ingle— Madison County High School, ISY
John Smith — Goodwill NWNC - Madison County, OSY
A-American Electric Inc. & Jackson Electrical Contractors Inc. - Blue Ridge Community College
Friday Services — NCWorks Community College - Transylvania County
Bolton Construction and Services of WNC - A-B Tech Community College
Evan Crutchfield — NCWorks Career Center - Buncombe County
Johnny Dorries — NCWorks Career Center - Henderson County
Bethel Robinson — NCWorks Career Center - Buncombe County
Mayor Abigail Norton & Town of Hot Springs — NCWorks Recovery Resilience Employer
Craft HR Solutions – NCWorks Work-Based Learning Grant

MOUNTAIN AREA SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Irene Canivet & Barbara Darby — Experienced Workforce Initiative (Asheville 50+)
Devon McCarthy-James — P20 Partnership Award
Shelby Bilodeau — NCWorks Career Center Madison County
WNC Futures Factory — A-B Tech Community College
Healthcare Fellows — Blue Ridge Community College, Henderson County Public Schools,
Advent Health Hendersonville, UNC Health Pardee & Henderson County Education Foundation
NCEdge — A-B Tech Community College
Apprenticeship Blue Ridge — Blue Ridge Community College

HONORARY MENTION GO PLACES GRANT
Jacqueline Porter – Outstanding Participant Engagement
Devin Wiley – Outstanding Participant Engagement
Source: Mountain Area Works