County Commissioners

Brownie Newman - Chairman

Brownie is a Partner and owner at Headwaters Solar, a solar energy company based in Asheville.

He grew up on a working farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a graduate of Warren Wilson College and served two terms on the Asheville City Council prior to being elected to the Buncombe County Commission in 2012. Brownie served on the boards of the Asheville Regional Airport, Economic Development Commission, Metropolitan Sewerage Authority, NC Conservation Network and NC Sustainable Energy Association. He currently serves on the board of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization. Brownie lives with his wife, Beth, and two daughters in the Montford neighborhood.

Al Whitesides - District 1

Al Whitesides is recognized throughout Asheville as a successful businessman, a community leader and a living touchstone to the city's struggle to eliminate segregation.

The long-time community activist and former banker is the first African-American to serve as a commissioner for Buncombe County.

Terri Wells - District 1

Terri Wells is the 9th generation of her family to live and farm in the beautiful farming community of Sandy Mush.

Terri has a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Terri and Glenn Ratcliff, her husband, are both 1989 graduates of Clyde A. Erwin High School. Glenn teaches Chemistry at A-B Tech. They live on the family farm in Sandy Mush.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara - District 2

Raised in North Carolina, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is a minister in the United Church of Christ and the Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, which promotes LGBTQ equality across the South. She was elected to Buncombe County Commission in 2016, representing, District 1 and currently serves as Vice Chair.

She currently serves on the Early Childhood Education and Development Committee, Justice Resource Advisory Council, and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. She focuses on policy issues related to creating a community where every child can thrive, including early childhood education and affordable housing.

Jasmine is a graduate of Brown University and received a MFA from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and a MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. Jasmine and her wife, Meghann, live in the East End neighborhood with their three children.

Amanda Edwards - District 2

Amanda and her husband, a high school principal, are raising their son in Weaverville.

Much of Amanda's professional career has been devoted to the education of children and adults in Buncombe County. Amanda is the Executive Director of the A-B Tech Foundation, past Executive Director of the Western NC Chapter of the American Red Cross, and past Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County.

Amanda brings a strong commitment to effective, compassionate leadership on education, an economy that supports locals, emergency services, and environmental conservation.

Amanda holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from UNC-Asheville. 

Parker Sloan - District 3

Parker and his wife live in Candler where they are raising their two young children. Parker has focused his career on public service, land use policy and action on climate change. Parker is a Senior Community and Economic Development Manager for Cypress Creek Renewables.

Parker believes that thoughtful, innovative leadership on climate change is necessary to ensure the prosperity and health of residents as well as the sustainability and natural beauty of Buncombe County.

Parker holds a master's degree in Public Administration from Western Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in Community Planning and Geography from Appalachian State University. Recently he served on the Buncombe County Planning Board (2014-2020) and the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters Board (2013-2014).

On behalf of Buncombe County, Parker serves on the board of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization, the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission, and the Affordable Housing Committee.

Robert Pressley - District 3

Robert Pressley is a lifetime Buncombe County resident.

He spent thirty years racing cars, from the local level right here at Asheville Speedway to the highest level in Nascar. Retiring in 2005, he opened Celebrity's Hot Dogs on Brevard Road, while staying heavily involved in Nascar, working on the Appeals Board, Hall of Fame Voting Board and the Competition Board. He also worked as a Promoter for Kingsport Speedway in Tennessee from 2011-2014.