Who We Are

Dr. Morse received her MSW and PhD from Tulane University in New Orleans. She joined the faculty of Western Carolina University in 2007 and currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Morse is an administrator, a clinician, an educator, and a researcher. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and actively practicing therapist, she works on an integrated healthcare team in rural community practice. Her research has been funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). She has conducted studies of health disparities, child trauma, male prostitution, injection drug use, issues facing HIV infected men and women and the children of HIV infected women, and has published widely in the fields of HIV, HCV, medication adherence, high-risk health behavior, trauma, injection drug use and other substance use. She has served as a national consultant to the Veterans Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and to numerous public health, mental health and substance abuse programs. Dr. Morse was appointed to the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board in 2011 served for 6 years and as Chair of the Board for three. She is a member of the inaugural class of Leadership Cashiers and has also served on many community service boards including the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau and the Community Care Clinic of Highlands Cashiers.

Mr. Hawks is a lawyer. His focus for most of his career was on mergers and acquisitions, financing, securities and energy matters. Following a 45-year career primarily at Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan (now Eversheds-Sutherland), Barrett engaged in mediation, arbitration and neutral analysis services. He was a leader in his firm, in the Georgia State Bar and the American Bar Association, in Trinity Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and in Presbyterian denominational matters, as well as in Atlanta community affairs. Barrett is a nationally recognized expert in the resolution of complex commercial and energy matters, with substantial experience in resolving multi-party conflicts. He has taken on many pro bono causes over his career and continues to do so at this time. Barrett’s experience also includes service on corporate and non-profit boards. He has worked closely with CEOs, inside counsel and boards of directors to design business-based solutions to help avoid or mitigate conflicts. Barrett received a B.B.A. from Emory University School of Business, an LL.B. from Emory University School of Law and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School.

Mr. Moore is the president of Main Street Payments, LLC, which provides credit card processing services to small businesses throughout Western North Carolina. Prior to this endeavor, Jerry owned and operated Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream in Highlands for 12 years. In addition to his small business experience, Jerry worked for the United States Court system for over ten years in the Presentence and Pretrial Investigation Unit, overseeing that unit for 4 years. Jerry has a BS in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Jerry is also the treasurer for the Highlands Rotary Club. Jerry resides in Highlands with his wife Kay and they have four children.

Mrs. Austin is an investment professional of long-standing, having spent her career managing the assets of wealthy families and philanthropic organizations. Early in her career, Mrs. Austin was a portfolio manager at U. S. Trust of New York on Wall Street, at Scudder Stevens & Clark, and at Summit Bank where she was a research analyst and co-manager of the Common Stock Fund. Later, she held a variety of senior management positions including Senior Director of Investments in the Private Bank at Wachovia where she had responsibility for the investment professionals in the southern half of the bank’s footprint. Subsequently, Mrs. Austin was Senior Director of Investments at Wells Fargo Private Bank for the Southeast Region. Prior to retiring, Mrs. Austin was Regional President for Northern Trust where she oversaw the wealth management business for the Southeastern region. Mrs. Austin has extensive experience with non-profit investment and board management including having been a national spokesperson for the Philanthropic division at Wachovia where she spoke at national conferences for families and private foundations. Mrs. Austin holds a B.A. from Wellesley College and is a seasonal resident in Cashiers.

Mr. Byrd is a leading executive in sales and marketing for major oil companies and consumer products food manufacturers. He is most notably known for identifying the opportunity to brand and monetize Arnold Palmer Tea for Arnold Palmer and successfully bringing that brand to market. It is known as Arnold Palmer Half & Half and is the fastest-growing ready to drink iced tea brand-selling more than one million cans a day. Chris is still active in the corporate world, managing Innovative Flavors, the company he founded to bring the Arnold Palmer Tea to market. He graduated from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management with a Masters of Management as well as Kent State University with a BS in Journalism. He and his wife Julie spend the summer season in Highlands, North Carolina and winters in Orlando, Florida. He is the father of two children residing in Florida, with four grandchildren in Orlando. Chris is an avid golfer and a long-standing member of the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Dr. Clark is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He has had a very successful and diversified career in the business, medical, and political fields. Walter attended both Auburn University and Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine. Upon graduation from Auburn, Walter worked for Exxon. He then decided to pursue a career in medicine. After completing his residency, Dr. Clark joined his father’s podiatry practice where he practiced for 37 years. Dr. Clark was certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. In 1995-1996, Dr. Clark was the first Podiatrist to run for the United States Senate. He was the past President of Rotary Club of Shades Valley in Birmingham, past President of Friends of American Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, and past President of Birmingham SE Camp, Gideons International. He also served as the past President of The Alabama Podiatric Medical Association and The American Podiatric Medical Association. He is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Combat Infantry Officer and has been awarded both the silver and bronze stars for his service. He is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion. Dr. Clark is the Founding Chairman of the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundatin and the past Chairman of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation. Now retired, Dr. Clark and his wife live full time in Sapphire, NC. He has three children and nine grandchildren.

Stephanie is an experienced executive with strong strategic business, communications and management skills and credentials from corporate, public service and entrepreneurial roles. Her collaborative leadership style and life interests led her to the helm of the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Her professionalism, resourcefulness and dedication have revitalized the organization and established a foundation for future success. Her career includes managing international relations, CEO communications, board relations, and special projects for the AAA National Office, the world’s largest leisure travel organization. She served as a senior U.S. congressional aide and also directed private sector communications to a 10,000 person workforce for a major health insurance provider. She earned an MBA from the University of Central Florida and a BA in Economics from American University. She is a graduate of both municipal and state leadership programs, has held PRSA national accreditation and participated in numerous executive development programs, including working with a global women’s career initiative and launching the inaugural class of Leadership Cashiers.

Dr. Richard Ellin is a native of New York but has called Atlanta home since 1973. After completing medical school and a residency in Internal Medicine at Emory University, he was the second internist hired by The Southeast Permanente Medical Group (TSPMG), the medical group affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, when it first opened its doors in Atlanta in 1985. In addition to a full-time clinical practice, Dr. Ellin served the medical group in a variety of other capacities: Lead Physician at 2 different offices, Chief of Medicine, Secretary of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Medical Director Review Committee. Dr. Ellin continues to see patients via telehealth for TSPMG and has been the Physician Lead for Primary Care Recruitment since 2008. Dr. Ellin retired from full time practice in 2016, at which time he and his wife started to split their time between Atlanta and Highlands. From July 2016 until March 2021 Dr. Ellin worked as a part time clinician for Mission Medical Associates, seeing patients in the Highlands and Cashiers offices 1-2 days per week between May and October. Dr. Ellin has been married to Janice for 43 years, and to his Westie “Tucker” for 7 years. In his free time, he enjoys golf, bicycling, croquet, bridge and reading.

Harriet Karro is a retired hospitality industry executive and full-time community volunteer. Named Nashville Tennessee’s 2018 Board Member of the Year by the Center for Nonprofit Management, she has served on numerous committees and boards including Nashville’s Gilda’s Club / Cancer Support Community (Board Chair), YMCA Joe C. Davis Outdoor Center (Board Chair), Alive Hospice (Board Chair), Saint Thomas Health Mission Committee, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital Ethics Committee, Vision Cashiers (Director), Wade Hampton Donor Advised Fund, and Cashiers Community Fund. She led the establishment of the Perenity flower ministry in Nashville, TN, and co-founded The Gift Initiative of Alive Hospice – a community education collaborative with partners from Vanderbilt University, Saint Thomas Health, and others who recognize the need for education about the benefits of advanced planning for serious illness and end-of-life care. Harriet and Brad divide their time between Nashville and Cashiers where they enjoy hiking, golf, reading and cooking, with family and friends.

Mr. Corcoran joined Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth, Inc., as its President in 1985. Mr. Corcoran served on the Management, the Operations, the Legal, and the Human Resources and Benefits committees of Wyeth until his retirement in March 2008. From 2010 until 2016, Mr. Corcoran was a director of Putney, Inc., a pet pharmaceutical company. Mr. Corcoran also served as the Chairman of the Animal Health Institute, an industry organization advocating for animal health issues, including efficient and effective FDA, USDA and EPA regulatory and approval processes. Mr. Corcoran serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of South Alabama.

Sean Cronin is a financial services executive with extensive experience in the primary and secondary mortgage capital markets as well as consumer and corporate risk management. Sean served as a Senior Credit Officer and Portfolio Manager at First Union for over 10 years where he was instrumental in the establishment of First Union’s Jumbo Loan Conduit. In addition, Sean was one of a two-person team that purchased over $24 billion of mortgages from leading Wall Street firms for the bank’s balance sheet over a two-year period. Later in his career, Sean moved into business development where he worked closely with CEOs and executives at large corporate clients, mortgage banks and hedge funds to grow their businesses. Sean currently serves as a member of the Develop Cashiers Responsibility group, the Leadership Cashiers Alumni Advisory Board, and Board Member of the Cashiers Chapter of Circles USA. Sean earned his MBA from the University of Miami and a BA in Management from Rollins College.

Mr. Hodgson is a native Tar Heel from Winston-Salem, NC, and has called Atlanta home since 1974.  Dave and his wife Cathy moved to Highlands from Atlanta in 2017.  After graduating with a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology at Emanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, TN, he completed an internship at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute (previously Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital) in Knoxville, TN.  David has conducted numerous group and individual counseling sessions at several metro Atlanta churches.  In addition, he has been a frequent speaker at many Atlanta based corporations and small businesses.  During a 28-year career at Delta Air Lines David worked extensively within Human Resources as an interviewer for the Pilot Selection Program before retirement in 2007.  Post retirement consultant work for the past 14 years includes job interview preparation coaching for military and civilian pilots

Todd Goins was born and raised in the mountains of western North Carolina in Transylvania County.  After graduating from Furman University, Todd pursued a career in the human services profession, serving as an associate pastor, mental health provider, and houseparent at Baptist Children’s Home before serving as a social worker. Todd began his career in Social Services in 2005 with Clay County Department of Social Services (DSS) as a Child Protective Services social worker.  Todd served as Child Welfare and Adult Services Supervisor at Clay County DSS from 2008 until March 2020, at which time he began serving in the role of Clay County DSS Director.  Todd resides in Brasstown with his wife Beth.  Todd and Beth have five children they are very proud of, ranging in ages from 22 years old to 11 years old.

Mr. Greene is a retired CPA. Most of his career was spent with The Medical University of SC in Charleston. Positions held within the university included Internal Auditor, College of Dental Medicine Finance Director and University Budget Director, overseeing an annual $650 million budget. In 2001 he moved to the affiliated 700 bed teaching hospital and held positions as Director of Financial Accounting and Reporting and as Director of Treasury Operations and Tax Management, before retiring to Cashiers in 2014. Living in Charleston for 43 years, he was also active in his Lutheran congregation, serving on the congregational council, with terms of President and V-P, and also five years as Treasurer. In retirement, he has served on the vestry of Church of the Good Shepherd and is a member of the finance and endowment committees. He also currently serves as church Treasurer. He recently served on the board of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley for three years, two of those as Treasurer and chair of the finance committee. He is active on the board of the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic. He is a five-year member of the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, having served as President and as Treasurer for four years. He holds an AB degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC and was a member of the Board of Visitors for twelve years, two as vice-chair and two as chair. He served in the US Army Reserve for twenty-five years.

Julia Sprunt Grumbles retired as corporate vice president of human resources, public relations, media and corporate marketing resources for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.). In this capacity, she oversaw all human resources, corporate philanthropy, community affairs, internal, external and media communications, advertising planning and placement, photo services, print production and presentation services. She was also responsible for entertainment, sports and news public and media relations. Additionally, Grumbles served on the TBS, Inc. Executive Committee.

She previously served on the boards of University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Cancer Center, the UNC Health Care System and as board chair of UNC’s Institute of Arts and Humanities as well as UNC’s Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement and on UNC’s Board of Trustees. She also served on the national steering committee for the Carolina First campaign, was a co-founder of UNC’s Carolina Women’s Leadership Council and currently serves on the steering committee for UNC’s $4.25 billion Campaign for Carolina.

Grumbles is a native of Memphis, TN, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and is married to Bill Grumbles.

Now retired, Dr. Hayes is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. Jerry’s practice in Vicksburg, MS was named in the ‘Top Two Percent’ nationwide, and he left practice after thirteen years to start several eyecare related businesses. This included Hayes Marketing, Inc, HMI Buying Group and Prima Eye Group, all of which were sold to Private Equity firms.

In addition to many community activities and senior leadership roles in the Mississippi Optometric Association, Dr. Hayes served an eight-year term on the Board of Trustees at Southern College and received SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. He remains active with his Alma Mater through The Hayes Center For Practice Excellence based at SCO. A seasonal resident for 22 years in the Highlands Cashiers area, Cris and Jerry have two children and four grandchildren and spend their winters in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Ms. Manning grew up on the north shore of Chicago and attended Southern Methodist University. She was admitted to the Partnership of Price Waterhouse as the tenth woman partner in the history of the Firm. She retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers, after 33 years. Ms. Manning led the Firm’s merger integration and finance effectiveness practice and the audit practices for the real estate industry in the Southeast and Central regions of the US. She also served as a technical advisor on accounting and public reporting issues. Additionally, she served on several Firm task forces to elect the senior partner of the Firm, redesign the Firm’s continuing education program, evaluate Firm-wide practice development approaches, and provide younger partner input to the Firm’s Policy Board. Since retiring, Ms. Manning has served on the Board of a public company and chaired its audit committee. She continues to work in the non-profit community to which she has been devoted throughout her adult life. Ms. Manning was honored by the Dallas Business Journal and NACD as a 2014 Outstanding Director for her work with the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Ms. Manning served as Treasurer of the Literacy and Learning Center and serves as President of the Board of Highlands Community Child Development Center.

George Manning grew up in Raleigh, graduated from The University of North Carolina in 1970 and Columbia Law School in 1973. Mr. Manning practiced law in New York at Chadbourne Parke and in 1978, he became an Assistant United States Attorney in New York. In 1982, he became a Chadbourne Parke partner and head of the Washington office. In 1985, Mr. Manning joined Jones Day, as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. He became the partner-in-charge of their Atlanta and Dallas offices, and the Texas region. Mr. Manning retired from Jones Day in 2014. Throughout his career, he was an active trial lawyer, as a prosecutor, plaintiff, and defense lawyer. He handled a wide range of investigations and litigated matters. He advised public and private Boards of Directors in the US and abroad on specific issues as well as corporate governance. Throughout his career he was a member of a wide variety of not-for-profit boards of directors.

Jimmy Youell is a native of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation he completed his military training and has an honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant from the US Army, Artillery Branch. Jimmy entered the Life Insurance industry and was in management with The Travelers and The Hartford Life Insurance companies for eight years. He then went out on his own and built a Life and Employee Benefits agency in Tulsa, OK. He also was securities licensed and worked with a group affiliated with an Independent Broker Dealer. He is past president of The Tulsa Association of Life Underwriters, and The Tulsa Association of Chartered Life Underwriters. Jimmy and his wife Sheryl are now residents of Highlands, NC and live at Highlands Falls Country Club. They have a son and daughter and ten grandchildren.