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.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara - District 1

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 rights across the South. She was elected to Buncombe County Commission in 2016 and represents District 1. One of her focus areas is promoting policies that help children thrive, including expanded access to early childhood education. She serves on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, the Community Child Protection Team, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization Board.

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 son.

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.

Mike Fryar - District 2

Mike Fryar has been a resident of Buncombe County for 54 years.

He attended A.C. Reynolds High School and served in the U.S. Navy. A small business owner for 32 years, Mike started his career sweeping floors for the legendary Banjo Matthews—working his way up the ladder and eventually starting his own engine business, Fryar Performance, in 1980. He is serving his second term as Trustee at AB Tech.

Ellen Frost - District 2

Ellen is a mother, grandmother, and small business owner who came to western North Carolina in 1995.

She is serving her second term as County Commissioner. Ellen has managed a small business all of her working life. Consequently, creation of living wage jobs is of utmost importance to her. Being a good steward of education funding, economic development and the environment is what drives her work as a County Commissioner.

Joe Belcher - District 3

Joe Belcher is a 36 year resident of Buncombe County, and a member of Maple Ridge Baptist Church in Candler where he serves as deacon and Sunday school teacher.

He currently serves on the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and is retired Vice President with Berkshire Hathaway (Clayton Homes). He has been married to his wife Reta for 42 years and is the father of two children and grandfather of 3, all who reside in Buncombe County.

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.