Since 1996, Vision Henderson County has developed informed, engaged, and community-minded leaders by connecting them more deeply to the people, organizations, and systems that shape the community. Through the ten-month program, participants explored key aspects of Henderson County through hands-on learning experiences, site visits, and discussions with local leaders representing government, business, education, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit organizations, public safety, and environmental stewardship. 

The program is led by Executive Director Gary Heisey and Associate Director Ben Kish. 

Heisey said this year’s graduates shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the program experience and the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the community. 

“Vision was an incredible experience and blew my socks off with how well organized and facilitated it was,” one graduate shared following the program. “This was an awesome informational and inspirational program.” 

Another participant reflected on the opportunity to better understand the community, noting, “Seeing how for-profits, nonprofits, and local government contribute to the overall health and performance of our community was powerful.” 

A third graduate shared, “I now better understand Henderson County and what makes the county special.” 

Vision graduates are encouraged to continue their involvement through the Vision Henderson County Alumni Association, which offers ongoing opportunities for networking, mentorship, collaboration, and community engagement at no cost to participants. 

“Our goal is to ensure that Vision doesn’t stop at graduation,” said Chris Scruggs, alumni committee president. “I look forward to seeing many of the graduates at our summer gathering.” 

Several seats remain available for the next class of Vision Henderson County, which enters its 30th year in August 2026.  

For more information about Vision Henderson County or its Alumni Association, community members may visit www.blueridge.edu/vision, or contact Karen Bryant, Blue Ridge’s continuing education program specialist, at [email protected]. 

The 2025–2026 Vision Henderson County graduates are: 

Leigh Angel, Blue Ridge Community College 

Irving Armas, Armas LLC, Keller Williams 

Aubrey Baptista, Kindred Art Therapy & Counseling 

Michael Beaver, Safelight 

Drake Elder Bruner, Watermark Landscape Architecture 

Katie Cano, Cano Wealth Strategies 

Matthew L. Clark, Lassonde Pappas 

Whitney Crouse, Children & Family Resource Center 

Isaac Dalton, First Citizens Bank 

Jennifer Duvall, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group 

Michael Gage, Peace of Mind Property Inspectors 

G. David Jenkins, Henderson County Department of Public Health 

Raymond Johnson, Jabil 

Brandon King, Blue Ridge Community College 

Mary Ellen Kustin, United Way of Henderson County 

Nick Lucey, Lucey Agency 

Trish Luzzi, Engel & Völkers Foothills Longtown 

Bruce Macdonald, Retired 

Matthew McKirahan, Town of Mills River 

Michelle Murdock, Town of Mills River 

Andrew Murkens, 828 Biz Marketing 

Kylee Rose Nelson, Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County 

Megan Pierce, WNCSource 

Lauren Rippy, Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks 

Sonya D. Sanchez, Hendersonville Affordable Housing Corporation 

Sara Schmidt, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development 

Ruth Simons, Henderson County & Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity 

Annmarie Stafford, TASI Test and Automation 

Blake Therrian, A-American Electric 

Paulina Weaver, Self-Help Credit Union 

Cameron Womack, Hendersonville Fire Department

Source: Blue Ridge Community College.