Our Board Members

Kenett is the Vulnerable Populations Manager for Blue Ridge Health, an FQHC that serves 9 counties in WNC.  For the past 18 years he has worked in community health with a special focus on underserved populations. He graduated with a Masters in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. Kenett enjoys spending time with his children and exploring all the beauty that WNC has to offer.

Damian Chipriano is not a native of western North Carolina but considers it his home since 2012. He received a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics from The Pennsylvania State University and has worked in the healthcare industry for most of his career. Currently, Damian serves as the Financial Services Director for Carilion Clinic whose main hospital is located in Roanoke, VA. Previously, he was the Manager of Decision Support and Cost Accounting as well as the financial liaison of the Behavioral Health service line for Mission Health in Asheville, NC. Outside of work and being an advocate for several non-profit organizations, Damian likes to travel with his wife, Jessica, and their rescue dog, Abbey.

Terry is a Partner of a local CPA firm with offices in Hendersonville and Brevard.  He is a graduate of University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  He has been treasurer of various nonprofits over the last twenty-plus years including Four Seasons Hospice, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, The Free Clinics, Carolina Village and Thrive.  He is also Finance chair and Treasurer for Grace Lutheran Church. Terry and his wife, Jane, have 2 adult children.

Bryan has lived in Hendersonville since 2012, however he has been exploring the mountains and communities of Western North Carolina his whole life. He is the owner of B² Realty and is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Bryan enjoys serving as Emcee for local civic and nonprofit events and hiking in the mountains. He has two sons attending the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Preston is a lifelong resident of Western North Carolina. He was born in Asheville, NC, and raised in Fletcher, NC. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from UNC- Greensboro and his Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University. Currently, Preston works for his family business, Quality Janitorial Group. In this role, Preston manages employees and handles day-to-day office duties. Additionally, Preston was elected elected Mayor of Fletcher in November, 2021, after serving as a council member for two years. As Mayor, he presides over meetings, helps set goals, and assists in making decisions surrounding the Town of Fletcher.  In his spare time, Preston enjoys spending time with his dog, Nala.

Stephanie Gilliam, Constituent Services Coordinator- City Manager’s Office with the City of Asheville, serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for Thrive. Stephanie worked at Thrive for about 7 years, starting as a Generalist at the Clubhouse and then transitioning to the Housing Department. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many community social and mental health challenges, leading Stephanie to make the difficult decision to leave Thrive to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at Western Carolina University. After settling back into the real work, post-grad school, Stephanie decided that she was ready to fall back in love with Thrive by joining the Board. Stephanie will use her degree, previous employment experience, and passion for Thrive’s clients to inform her work on the Policy Committee and Facilities and Services Committee.