Executive Director

Maria Wise is a native of Western North Carolina and a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Biological Science. She has a Master’s degree in Sustainability Studies from Lenoir Rhyne University. Maria worked in biotech in Chicago and in water quality protection in Florida where she also worked to protect manatees and mangrove habitats.
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In recent years Maria helped protect farmland in Buncombe County with the Soil and Water Conservation District. There were over 1000 acres of farm and forest land protected with conservation easements under Maria’s guidance. She is passionate about working with farmers and landowners to enhance their properties while also protecting streams and rivers from erosion and runoff. In her spare time, she likes hiking and camping with her family and enjoying the local food scene of Western North Carolina.

Outreach and Education Coordinator 

Duncan Blair grew up in a military family, moving all over the country and the world but has always been passionate about rivers and mountains and especially trout.  After graduating with a degree in environmental science and serving for four years as a naval officer, Duncan worked as an urban park ranger in New York City and then earned a masters degree also in environmental science from the University of Sydney, Australia.  Upon his return to the U.S., he worked on the national staff of Trout Unlimited for twelve years in the youth education and volunteer operations departments.

Later in his career, Duncan qualified as a teacher in New York State, teaching high school biology and environmental science for over ten years.  He taught in a public school in Brooklyn and then overseas at international schools in Bangkok and London.  Duncan recently relocated to western North Carolina and loves not just visiting, but actually living in the mountains!  He feels very lucky to have the opportunity to bring his passion and experience to his role at the Mills River Partnership.

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Mills River Partnership Board of Directors 

Jimmy Cowan | Vice Chair

Farm Bureau Federation of Henderson County

Kieran Roe | Past-chair

​Conserving Carolina Executive Director

jack Igelman |Member

City of Asheville

adam wallace | Member​

Member at Large

Ken Allison | Member

Henderson County Agricultural Advisory Board

Erica shanks | Member

MountainTrue

Greg Hoyt | Member

Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District

 | Member

Henderson County

Wayne Carland | Member

​Town of Mills River Agriculture Committee

​James Cantrell | Treasurer

​Town of Mills River

​Jay Hawthorne | Member

​Trout Unlimited

Bert Lemkes | Board Chair

Member at large

Gina Baxter | Member

City of Hendersonville

​Jeff Chandler | Secretary 

​Member at large