Our leadership

Bob Hinkle

FOUNDER

White Horse Black Mountain founder, Bob Hinkle, has been in the music industry since the 1960’s. During a career that spans five decades, Hinkle has been a singer, songwriter, recording artist, composer, lyricist, poet, corporate executive, consultant, music writer, artist manager, executive producer, record label founder and president/CEO. These roles brought Bob in contact with a virtual “who’s who” of the music/entertainment industry including artists such as The Band. The J. Geils Band. Etta James. Harry Chapin. Manfred Mann. The Olsen Twins. Patti LuPone Gallagher. Naked Eyes.

DOUG ORR

Board President

Doug served as president from 1991 to 2006. While at Warren Wilson he founded the Swannanoa Gathering summer music program which has become one of the nation’s most popular such events. Upon retirement Doug was recognized by the North Carolina governor with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian honor. During the fall 2014 he served as interim chancellor at UNC Asheville, after a long tenure on the board of trustees. Doug is the co-author of several books including Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia. by the UNC Press, it is now in its fourth printing as the fastest selling book in the long history of the Press, and has been recognized as a New York Times Best Seller.

JUSTICE ROGERS

Justice Rogers got his degree in Criminal Justice at Rutgers, and went on to work for Federal Protective Services, ICE, and Homeland Security before retiring. These days he helps African-American people create businesses in entrepreneurial setting and anywhere else he is needed in the community.

Gareth Higgins

A native of Belfast Ireland, Gareth  writes and speaks about the power of storytelling to shape our lives and world, peace and making justice,; Founder of  the Wild Goose Festival, Movies & Meaning, and The Porch Magazine

AMY KIM KRYEMES-PARKS

Director of Formation for Children, Youth and Their Families at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina. She loves creating space for folks to interact with the Holy through art and opportunities for disruption. Her life is shared with her amazing spouse, Justin, and children Natalily and Isaiah, along with Herbie the miniature poodle.

TOMMY BROWN

Director of William Black Lodge in Montreat. An ordained Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister, he previously served as campus minister at Appalachian State University in Boone as well as serving as Adjunct Faculty in the ASU Recreation Management Program

RAMSEY HINKLE

Ramsey represents individuals and entities in a wide variety of criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative matters in federal and state courts. He has represented individuals from CEOs, CFOs and CCOs, to traders, and bankers. He defends individuals and entities accused of securities fraud, insurance fraud, healthcare fraud, civil and criminal antitrust violations, and failure to maintain compliance systems.

ANN WHITE

As a long-time school administrator, Ann most recently retired as the Associate Superintendent with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and also worked with Hickory City Schools. She is a Black Mountain resident who is passionate about music and the connections it creates in community.

Our STAFF

Zach Hinkle

Director of Operation

Selena Hilemon

Membership Coordinator & Communications Director

Mary Ellen Davis

Event Coordinator

Michele Brigante

Administrative Coordinator

josh graham

Production Coordinator

Nikki Riley

Bar Manager

Joel Murray

Ticketmaster