Executive and Steering Committees

Dr. Michael Dempsey is the Dean and Director of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies at Asheville. Dr. Dempsey holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the College of Charleston, a master’s degree in history from the University of Charleston/The Citadel and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Carolina University.

Dr. Joseph Fox is the President and CEO of Fox Management Consulting Enterprises. He earned an Ed.D. and an MBA from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. Dr. Fox also possesses the Professional in Human Resources Management (PHR) National Certification, Achieve Global Leadership Training Certification, and the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) Certification.

Dr. John D. Gossett joined A-B Tech Community College as its seventh president in July 2020. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Tennessee, an M.B.A. from Appalachian State University, and an Ed.D. in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University. His doctoral dissertation focused on the role of community colleges in economic development.

Dr. Gene Loflin is the Associate Vice President of Compliance at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech). He earned a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill University, a master’s degree in Education from Appalachian State University, and a Ph.D. in Education from Florida State University. He previously served as the Associate Vice President for Instructional Services at A-B Tech.

Nathan Ramsey is the Director of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board and the Executive Director of the Land of Sky Regional Council. He earned a B.S. degree from UNC Asheville and a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Mr. Ramsey is a member of the NC State Bar. He served in the NC General Assembly representing House District 115 from 2013 to 2014 and as Chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from 2000 to 2008.

Dr. William Sederburg is a retired university president and the current Chair of the WNC Broadband project. He earned a B.S. degree from Minnesota State University – Mankato and a Ph.D. in Political Science and Public Administration from Michigan State University. Dr. Sederburg served as a Senator in the Michigan State Senate, the President of Ferris State University, the President of Utah Valley University, the Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, and the Interim Chancellor of UNC Wilmington.