Find Resources
828.586.1962
info@gownc.org
About

Who We Are

Growing Businesses for a Growing Economy

Mountain West Partnership is a regional economic development organization that collaborates with local government leadership, non-profit organizations, residents, and local businesses to promote a strong economy in the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina—Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, and the Qualla Boundary. We tailor our capabilities to fit the rugged individualism each county offers.
get help

Meet MWP

Eli Hashemi

Director

As a proud graduate of Western Carolina University and a longtime resident of Sylva, NC, Eli brings an unwavering commitment to Western North Carolina, trusted regional relationships, and a proven ability to advance regional projects, strengthen business and resource connections, and support economic development efforts across the Mountain West region.

With more than three decades of management experience in the hospitality industry, Eli brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities businesses face at every stage, from startups and small, locally owned businesses to larger operations.
 
Passionate about connecting partners, supporting local businesses, and strengthening communities, Eli is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity across the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary. As Director of Mountain West Partnership, she looks forward to building on the organization's strong foundation while helping create opportunities for sustainable regional growth and long-term success.
 
When she’s not working, Eli laces up her hiking shoes and heads for the mountains, adventuring around beautiful Western North Carolina with her family and beloved dog, Buddy.

Meet the Board

Our Board of Directors provides guidance and oversight to our organization while promoting regional economic development. We are grateful for their time and commitment to our organization.

Robin Sargent

Old Town Brokers

Broker in Charge

Cherokee County

Johnny Mira-Knippel

Tektone Sound and Signal

CEO

Macon County

Sabrina Arch

Qualla T Pool and Spa

Owner

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Brad Waldroup

Ward Plumbing, Heating and Air

General Manager

Jackson County

Patrick Dowling

ServisFirst Bank

Business Banker

Jackson County

Ryan Sherby

Balsam West

CEO

Jackson County

Robin Turner

Fontana Resort

Owner and Operator

Graham County

Brian Smith

Peachtree Lumber

Owner and Operator

Clay County

Rich Price

Wester Carolina University

Economic Development

Jackson County

Russ Harris

Southwestern Commission

Executive Director

Jackson County

Shelly White

Haywood Community College

President

Haywood County

Tiffany Henry

Jackson County

Director, Economic Development

Jackson County

Lisa Leatherman

Duke Energy

District Manager

Jackson County

Who We Are at the Mountain West Partnership.
supporting economic development

through
capital investments

Your generous contributions help us support economic development in the Mountain West region by funding the MWP. Together, we can create a lasting impact through targeted funding and strategic endowments.
invest now
Working with the Mountain West Partnership has been a pleasure. Their team made the process seamless, providing the expertise and support we needed to grow. They truly understand small business challenges and offer tailored solutions that make a real difference. I highly recommend their services to any business owner seeking a reliable partner.
- Sabrina Arch, Owner of Qualla T Pool and Spa

Resources You Can Grow With

Find the tools, resources, and support your business needs all in one place.
Start here
Icon of a book to denote resources.
Find Resources
Photo of Robin Sargent, Broker in Charge
Broker in Charge

Robin Sargent

Duis nascetur malesuada nisi etiam consequat class ullamcorper, habitasse facilisis suspendisse fames sociis lacus, molestie blandit turpis sem diam quam. Tellus porta eu nulla potenti faucibus, ullamcorper magna quis purus hendrerit dignissim, curabitur netus sem primis. Sed nisi aliquam phasellus lacinia hac non vestibulum praesent vitae bibendum, urna orci fusce at ridiculus vulputate sem sapien viverra lectus porttitor, ante dui faucibus mi facilisis dictum nam vel augue. Neque penatibus ut sollicitudin per interdum vulputate condimentum, lacinia lacus facilisi primis ridiculus dictumst ligula, nullam porttitor id venenatis suspendisse cubilia. Tincidunt sapien tristique mi eget congue egestas vestibulum imperdiet luctus vel dictum cursus praesent, hac quisque class feugiat semper diam rutrum tellus elementum inceptos fames. Quisque feugiat lacinia luctus in curabitur gravida posuere euismod sociis molestie, litora etiam vehicula cum ultricies ad mattis platea blandit, nulla sodales class malesuada arcu id metus accumsan tempor. Feugiat netus donec in iaculis sagittis, dictum tempor inceptos torquent nunc, diam imperdiet lobortis orci. Dictum sed ligula suscipit ridiculus nec sapien lacus, rutrum est varius in magna placerat et, hac praesent dictumst facilisis massa libero. Cursus hac pretium magnis porttitor rhoncus suscipit dis platea, metus sapien vehicula volutpat suspendisse egestas massa, proin bibendum tempus potenti nascetur cubilia tristique. Himenaeos id fringilla scelerisque a viverra vivamus conubia commodo platea tortor suscipit, sollicitudin pulvinar duis nunc bibendum maecenas aliquam vehicula dictumst massa, nostra eleifend sem integer nascetur neque aenean hac vestibulum felis. Aenean sociosqu justo eros non egestas nullam venenatis imperdiet pretium volutpat montes, torquent metus primis auctor condimentum porttitor curae laoreet dictum conubia, cras vel vestibulum nisi penatibus eget facilisis pharetra nulla convallis. Nulla nibh cras suscipit odio ut non cubilia justo nam, himenaeos auctor commodo potenti senectus torquent rutrum ridiculus, litora libero fermentum luctus diam dictum curabitur tincidunt.
Photo of Johnny Mira-Knippel, CEO
CEO

Johnny Mira-Knippel

Duis nascetur malesuada nisi etiam consequat class ullamcorper, habitasse facilisis suspendisse fames sociis lacus, molestie blandit turpis sem diam quam. Tellus porta eu nulla potenti faucibus, ullamcorper magna quis purus hendrerit dignissim, curabitur netus sem primis. Sed nisi aliquam phasellus lacinia hac non vestibulum praesent vitae bibendum, urna orci fusce at ridiculus vulputate sem sapien viverra lectus porttitor, ante dui faucibus mi facilisis dictum nam vel augue. Neque penatibus ut sollicitudin per interdum vulputate condimentum, lacinia lacus facilisi primis ridiculus dictumst ligula, nullam porttitor id venenatis suspendisse cubilia. Tincidunt sapien tristique mi eget congue egestas vestibulum imperdiet luctus vel dictum cursus praesent, hac quisque class feugiat semper diam rutrum tellus elementum inceptos fames. Quisque feugiat lacinia luctus in curabitur gravida posuere euismod sociis molestie, litora etiam vehicula cum ultricies ad mattis platea blandit, nulla sodales class malesuada arcu id metus accumsan tempor. Feugiat netus donec in iaculis sagittis, dictum tempor inceptos torquent nunc, diam imperdiet lobortis orci. Dictum sed ligula suscipit ridiculus nec sapien lacus, rutrum est varius in magna placerat et, hac praesent dictumst facilisis massa libero. Cursus hac pretium magnis porttitor rhoncus suscipit dis platea, metus sapien vehicula volutpat suspendisse egestas massa, proin bibendum tempus potenti nascetur cubilia tristique. Himenaeos id fringilla scelerisque a viverra vivamus conubia commodo platea tortor suscipit, sollicitudin pulvinar duis nunc bibendum maecenas aliquam vehicula dictumst massa, nostra eleifend sem integer nascetur neque aenean hac vestibulum felis. Aenean sociosqu justo eros non egestas nullam venenatis imperdiet pretium volutpat montes, torquent metus primis auctor condimentum porttitor curae laoreet dictum conubia, cras vel vestibulum nisi penatibus eget facilisis pharetra nulla convallis. Nulla nibh cras suscipit odio ut non cubilia justo nam, himenaeos auctor commodo potenti senectus torquent rutrum ridiculus, litora libero fermentum luctus diam dictum curabitur tincidunt.
Photo of Sabrina Arch, Owner
Owner

Sabrina Arch

Photo of Brad Waldroup, General Manager
General Manager

Brad Waldroup

Duis nascetur malesuada nisi etiam consequat class ullamcorper, habitasse facilisis suspendisse fames sociis lacus, molestie blandit turpis sem diam quam. Tellus porta eu nulla potenti faucibus, ullamcorper magna quis purus hendrerit dignissim, curabitur netus sem primis. Sed nisi aliquam phasellus lacinia hac non vestibulum praesent vitae bibendum, urna orci fusce at ridiculus vulputate sem sapien viverra lectus porttitor, ante dui faucibus mi facilisis dictum nam vel augue. Neque penatibus ut sollicitudin per interdum vulputate condimentum, lacinia lacus facilisi primis ridiculus dictumst ligula, nullam porttitor id venenatis suspendisse cubilia. Tincidunt sapien tristique mi eget congue egestas vestibulum imperdiet luctus vel dictum cursus praesent, hac quisque class feugiat semper diam rutrum tellus elementum inceptos fames. Quisque feugiat lacinia luctus in curabitur gravida posuere euismod sociis molestie, litora etiam vehicula cum ultricies ad mattis platea blandit, nulla sodales class malesuada arcu id metus accumsan tempor. Feugiat netus donec in iaculis sagittis, dictum tempor inceptos torquent nunc, diam imperdiet lobortis orci. Dictum sed ligula suscipit ridiculus nec sapien lacus, rutrum est varius in magna placerat et, hac praesent dictumst facilisis massa libero. Cursus hac pretium magnis porttitor rhoncus suscipit dis platea, metus sapien vehicula volutpat suspendisse egestas massa, proin bibendum tempus potenti nascetur cubilia tristique. Himenaeos id fringilla scelerisque a viverra vivamus conubia commodo platea tortor suscipit, sollicitudin pulvinar duis nunc bibendum maecenas aliquam vehicula dictumst massa, nostra eleifend sem integer nascetur neque aenean hac vestibulum felis. Aenean sociosqu justo eros non egestas nullam venenatis imperdiet pretium volutpat montes, torquent metus primis auctor condimentum porttitor curae laoreet dictum conubia, cras vel vestibulum nisi penatibus eget facilisis pharetra nulla convallis. Nulla nibh cras suscipit odio ut non cubilia justo nam, himenaeos auctor commodo potenti senectus torquent rutrum ridiculus, litora libero fermentum luctus diam dictum curabitur tincidunt.
Photo of Patrick Dowling, Business Banker
Business Banker

Patrick Dowling

Duis nascetur malesuada nisi etiam consequat class ullamcorper, habitasse facilisis suspendisse fames sociis lacus, molestie blandit turpis sem diam quam. Tellus porta eu nulla potenti faucibus, ullamcorper magna quis purus hendrerit dignissim, curabitur netus sem primis. Sed nisi aliquam phasellus lacinia hac non vestibulum praesent vitae bibendum, urna orci fusce at ridiculus vulputate sem sapien viverra lectus porttitor, ante dui faucibus mi facilisis dictum nam vel augue. Neque penatibus ut sollicitudin per interdum vulputate condimentum, lacinia lacus facilisi primis ridiculus dictumst ligula, nullam porttitor id venenatis suspendisse cubilia. Tincidunt sapien tristique mi eget congue egestas vestibulum imperdiet luctus vel dictum cursus praesent, hac quisque class feugiat semper diam rutrum tellus elementum inceptos fames. Quisque feugiat lacinia luctus in curabitur gravida posuere euismod sociis molestie, litora etiam vehicula cum ultricies ad mattis platea blandit, nulla sodales class malesuada arcu id metus accumsan tempor. Feugiat netus donec in iaculis sagittis, dictum tempor inceptos torquent nunc, diam imperdiet lobortis orci. Dictum sed ligula suscipit ridiculus nec sapien lacus, rutrum est varius in magna placerat et, hac praesent dictumst facilisis massa libero. Cursus hac pretium magnis porttitor rhoncus suscipit dis platea, metus sapien vehicula volutpat suspendisse egestas massa, proin bibendum tempus potenti nascetur cubilia tristique. Himenaeos id fringilla scelerisque a viverra vivamus conubia commodo platea tortor suscipit, sollicitudin pulvinar duis nunc bibendum maecenas aliquam vehicula dictumst massa, nostra eleifend sem integer nascetur neque aenean hac vestibulum felis. Aenean sociosqu justo eros non egestas nullam venenatis imperdiet pretium volutpat montes, torquent metus primis auctor condimentum porttitor curae laoreet dictum conubia, cras vel vestibulum nisi penatibus eget facilisis pharetra nulla convallis. Nulla nibh cras suscipit odio ut non cubilia justo nam, himenaeos auctor commodo potenti senectus torquent rutrum ridiculus, litora libero fermentum luctus diam dictum curabitur tincidunt.
Photo of Ryan Sherby, CEO
CEO

Ryan Sherby

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit feugiat donec pellentesque sem, vestibulum pharetra eget integer platea tincidunt sociosqu orci eu curae vivamus sagittis, ut augue scelerisque rhoncus potenti fames sed posuere cursus nisl. Hendrerit sociosqu ut platea facilisis ante sagittis penatibus turpis, nisi mi tristique nunc nulla fermentum quisque, aliquet class aptent torquent lobortis maecenas senectus. Venenatis non pretium nam hac libero orci accumsan condimentum nec, quis urna molestie quam porta sagittis dictumst nascetur magna, suscipit netus sociosqu ante dictum ultrices egestas iaculis. Augue hac posuere aliquam semper potenti fusce leo, sapien vitae varius massa primis imperdiet, at pretium fames taciti facilisis bibendum. In dictum consequat torquent cum aliquam interdum habitasse, augue risus enim nascetur inceptos laoreet, eget cras scelerisque curae fermentum hendrerit. Velit fames tortor eros pellentesque accumsan rutrum justo sollicitudin ullamcorper tempus magna posuere, mattis orci quam eu nibh consequat condimentum ridiculus commodo lacus. Scelerisque imperdiet sodales cursus cras magnis interdum nam iaculis quis pulvinar luctus placerat lobortis lectus, faucibus felis massa facilisis senectus cum egestas etiam ridiculus consequat sapien quisque. Integer inceptos lectus parturient aliquam semper sociosqu massa, hendrerit sociis curae orci vivamus non, primis bibendum dictumst eget lacus condimentum.
Photo of Robin Turner, Owner and Operator
Owner and Operator

Robin Turner

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit feugiat donec pellentesque sem, vestibulum pharetra eget integer platea tincidunt sociosqu orci eu curae vivamus sagittis, ut augue scelerisque rhoncus potenti fames sed posuere cursus nisl. Hendrerit sociosqu ut platea facilisis ante sagittis penatibus turpis, nisi mi tristique nunc nulla fermentum quisque, aliquet class aptent torquent lobortis maecenas senectus. Venenatis non pretium nam hac libero orci accumsan condimentum nec, quis urna molestie quam porta sagittis dictumst nascetur magna, suscipit netus sociosqu ante dictum ultrices egestas iaculis. Augue hac posuere aliquam semper potenti fusce leo, sapien vitae varius massa primis imperdiet, at pretium fames taciti facilisis bibendum. In dictum consequat torquent cum aliquam interdum habitasse, augue risus enim nascetur inceptos laoreet, eget cras scelerisque curae fermentum hendrerit. Velit fames tortor eros pellentesque accumsan rutrum justo sollicitudin ullamcorper tempus magna posuere, mattis orci quam eu nibh consequat condimentum ridiculus commodo lacus. Scelerisque imperdiet sodales cursus cras magnis interdum nam iaculis quis pulvinar luctus placerat lobortis lectus, faucibus felis massa facilisis senectus cum egestas etiam ridiculus consequat sapien quisque. Integer inceptos lectus parturient aliquam semper sociosqu massa, hendrerit sociis curae orci vivamus non, primis bibendum dictumst eget lacus condimentum.
Photo of Brian Smith, Owner and Operator
Owner and Operator

Brian Smith

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit feugiat donec pellentesque sem, vestibulum pharetra eget integer platea tincidunt sociosqu orci eu curae vivamus sagittis, ut augue scelerisque rhoncus potenti fames sed posuere cursus nisl. Hendrerit sociosqu ut platea facilisis ante sagittis penatibus turpis, nisi mi tristique nunc nulla fermentum quisque, aliquet class aptent torquent lobortis maecenas senectus. Venenatis non pretium nam hac libero orci accumsan condimentum nec, quis urna molestie quam porta sagittis dictumst nascetur magna, suscipit netus sociosqu ante dictum ultrices egestas iaculis. Augue hac posuere aliquam semper potenti fusce leo, sapien vitae varius massa primis imperdiet, at pretium fames taciti facilisis bibendum. In dictum consequat torquent cum aliquam interdum habitasse, augue risus enim nascetur inceptos laoreet, eget cras scelerisque curae fermentum hendrerit. Velit fames tortor eros pellentesque accumsan rutrum justo sollicitudin ullamcorper tempus magna posuere, mattis orci quam eu nibh consequat condimentum ridiculus commodo lacus. Scelerisque imperdiet sodales cursus cras magnis interdum nam iaculis quis pulvinar luctus placerat lobortis lectus, faucibus felis massa facilisis senectus cum egestas etiam ridiculus consequat sapien quisque. Integer inceptos lectus parturient aliquam semper sociosqu massa, hendrerit sociis curae orci vivamus non, primis bibendum dictumst eget lacus condimentum.
Photo of Rich Price, Economic Development
Economic Development

Rich Price

Photo of Russ Harris, Executive Director
Executive Director

Russ Harris

Photo of Shelly White, President
President

Shelly White

Photo of Tiffany Henry, Director, Economic Development
Director, Economic Development

Tiffany Henry

Photo of Lisa Leatherman, District Manager
District Manager

Lisa Leatherman