Last Updated on May 14, 2025 3:58 pm
BOONE, NC – A visit and featured remarks from North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt headlines a day filled with industry-driven presentations and insightful panel discussions at the 6th annual Vision Northwest North Carolina summit. The event takes place Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute's Watauga Campus in Boone. This year's focus centers on Defining Today’s Skilled Labor Needs for Northwest North Carolina.
Vision Northwest North Carolina brings together thought leaders from across the region to discuss current economic development trends impacting businesses, agencies, and communities. This year's event features a group of expert speakers and presenters, bringing thoughtful conversation around the evolution of the skilled trades in our region, and how our workforce development partners are positioned to meet emerging challenges. Keynote and breakouts sessions are designed to feature current best practices in the region, while also paying specific attention to emerging needs and educational emphasis placed on trades that can assist in recovery from Hurricane Helene.
A guided walking tour of the expanded trade laboratories at CCC&TI's Watauga Campus will conclude the day’s activities, allowing attendees to see first-hand how new space will expand opportunities for job growth in this important sector of our regional workforce.
SkyLine/SkyBest and Carolina West Wireless return as the lead sponsors of the event. Tickets cost $110, and include event materials, networking opportunities, breakfast, lunch, post-event reception, and recordings of all sessions. Online registration is available at www.boonechamber.com.
This year’s featured presenters include:
Future-Ready North Carolina – Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt
Lieutenant Governor Hunt will focus on tackling the childcare and early childhood education crisis in North Carolina and champion strong investments in community colleges to bolster workforce development. These priorities will support the Lieutenant Governor’s vision of making North Carolina a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Together, these priorities make up Lieutenant Governor Hunt's Future-Ready North Carolina plan.
MyFutureNC – Program Update & Regional Success Stories – Dr. Kim Case
To ensure North Carolina remains economically competitive now and into the future, in 2019, with bipartisan support in the General Assembly and a signature from the Governor, the state adopted one of the most ambitious goals in the nation–to have 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 hold an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. Dr. Case will provide updates on the program's goals and outreach along with examples of success in connecting industry and education partners within the region.
The afternoon session includes a featured panel discussion:
Connecting Educators with Today's Skilled Labor Needs
Our region is among the State's leaders in regularly connecting workforce development and industry partners, to ensure educational attainment strategy meets the current need for skilled laborers. Learn how these partnerships work, and how conversations about new businesses, expanded operations, and re-training can drive quick changes to what is offered from a workforce training standpoint in communities throughout the region. We’ll examine the success of these pathways from the viewpoint of students, educators, and industry representatives.
o Dash Biles, Valle Crucis Middle School
o Chelsea Eldreth, CTE Teacher, Valle Crucis Middle School
o David Shack, Science Teacher, Valle Crucis Middle School
o Travis Eason, Electrical Trades Instructor, Ashe County High School
o Ty Little, Ashe County High School / Wilkes Community College
o John Anglin, Business Development Manager, BRANCH
o Rob Howard, Lecturer, Building Science, Department of Sustainable Technology & the Built Environment
A trio of breakout sessions include:
• We Have a Program for That – As we consider the needs of today's workforce, many frontline managers are looking for reliable workers with specific skills. Education partners are communicating frequently with industry partners to ensure programs are meeting the current needs. Hear from a panel of educators and industry partners about emerging programs offered within the region, and how evolving labor needs can best be communicated to workforce development partners.
o Krissy Hensley, Director of Clinical Operations, Graystone Eye
o Sara Thompson, Program Manager, Catawba County Partnership for Children
• Crossover Skill Sets – There are numerous education pathways that offer flexibility across a variety of industries. Marketable and transferable skills like welding, CDL, and other certifications are driving wage growth for skilled trade workers. What skills are the most transferable? What is the key for students and parents to see the value in today's skilled trade jobs? Our panel will examine the skills that transcend industry needs, and how to get students interested in these lucrative pathways.
o Dr. Stacy Buff, Vice President, Workforce Development, McDowell Technical Community College
o Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, Director of Accounting & Sustainable Business, Walker College of Business, Appalachian State University
• Skills for Storm Recovery – Northwest North Carolina will be dealing with recovery from Hurricane Helene for years to come. The nature and impact of the storm has put an increase on demand for skilled laborers in niche areas, like river and land restoration, well and septic installation, road and bridge repair, and many other similar restorative needs. How can industry and education partners work quickly to ensure the pipeline is turning out the workforce that is needed to meet this unique moment? How can Helene be a lesson for workforce partners to mobilize to meet demand? Hear about specific programs that are in place and what jobs will emerge as recovery continues.
o Derek Buchanan, Wheels Contracting, Inc
o Aimee Fink, Executive Director, Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery
o Jennifer Greene, Director of Public Health, AppHealthCare
Additional panelists may be added to sessions prior to the event. Check https://www.boonechamber.com for an updated event agenda.
“Over the last six years, Vision Northwest North Carolina has rallied industry, education, and government leaders from across the region to discuss relevant economic development issues. There is no more relevant issue today than the need for skilled labor in our area,” said David Jackson, President/CEO, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important for us to consider unique and emerging career pathways that may even challenge the traditional definition of skilled labor. We point to expansion in the medical arts, technology-based jobs, and other specialized skills, and see how further collaboration can lead to enhanced earnings potential and better long-term career pathways for those that want to live, work, and thrive in our region.”
Vision Northwest North Carolina is organized through a collaborative regional partnership that includes the Boone Area, Blowing Rock, Alleghany, Ashe, Catawba, and McDowell County Chambers of Commerce, Watauga County Economic Development Commission, Appalachian State University, High Country Council of Governments, High Country Workforce Development Board, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and other organizations throughout the region.
Additional event support comes from Beech Mountain Resort, ERX DMJPS, First Horizon, Spangler Restoration, New River Light & Power, and LifeStore Bank.
