STAFF
Our staff is committed to ensuring that at the end of the day, those who need help in our community are able to receive it. Please feel free to reach out to any of our staff members by using the button below their contact information or by giving us a call at 828.262.1628 we are happy to help!
Leadership team
Keith Richardson
Interim Executive Director
Started at HHC: February 2025
Bio: I am from Houston, TX. Born in Colorado Springs, CO, the mountains of Boone feel like coming home. I grew up in Texas and went to Baylor University to study Political Science. It was at Baylor that I first fell in love with fundraising while raising money for scholarships. As CDO for Hunger & Health Coalition, my goal is to lead a team of passionate and creative individuals who believe in raising funds for the work that we do.
Background: Baylor University, B.A. Political Science, Certified Grant Writer, University of Texas at Arlington (certificate)
Favorite vegetable: Bell peppers
Hobbies: Listening to audiobooks, binge watching Shows, listening to music, and going down random Wikipedia rabbit holes.
Favorite part of role: Problem solving to positively impact the daily lives of people in my community. Also, building relationships with people who truly understand the work we do and seeing the joyful light bulb go off in their head when they connect their investment to those that we help.
He/Him
Maura McClain
MS, RDN, LDN
Director of Health Access
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: I have worked in food and nutrition access for Watauga County since I was a Dietetic Intern working at Appalachia District WIC and Watauga Medical Center during my time in grad school. Concentrating in perinatal health and food insecurity, I found herself at HHC not long after graduating. I started at HHC as a grant writer while providing nutrition counseling and setting up our FIM program and now work with the management team to oversee HHC's strategic plan, grants, and developing projects.
Background: Bachelor of Science Nutrition and Foods - Dietetics; Master of Science Nutrition; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Favorite fruit: Pomegranate
Hobbies: Baking, crafts, reading, walking
Favorite part of role: I love thinking outside of the box to form creative solutions for turning our community's hunger into health.
She/Her
Catherine King
Director of Finance
Started at HHC: March 2024
Bio: I'm from Indiana and earned my engineering degree from Purdue University. I spent 25 years working as a manufacturing engineer before relocating to Boone.
Background: I was with the Community Care Clinic for the past 15 years, and served as the Executive Director since 2020. Since the Clinic is in the same building and works with many of the same people, the Clinic and HHC have worked closely together for many years.
Favorite fruit: Strawberries
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, reading
Favorite part of role: In my role at the Hunger and Health Coalition, I am eager to participate in budgeting and oversee financial management, enabling the HHC team to provide essential services to the High Country community.
She/Her
Kayla Lasure
Director of Marketing and Communications
Started at HHC: August 2021
Bio: Originally from a small town in central Kentucky, I moved to Boone in 2017. I worked for the local newspaper for four years where I completed my time there as editor. I was originally hired at HHC to oversee the volunteer, internship, and ongoing food drive programs. I now oversee our communication and outreach efforts.
Background: Bachelors in Journalism, minor in Public Relations from Eastern Kentucky University
Favorite fruit: Strawberries and pineapple
Hobbies: Reading, board games, enjoying the outdoors
Favorite part of role: I enjoy using my storytelling skills in order to spread information about our services, staff and our clients. With outreach, I enjoy being out in the community and networking!
She/Her
Alyssa Medina
Director of Food Access
Started at HHC: October 2019
Bio: Alyssa’s love for helping others brought her up to Boone to pursue a degree in Psychology at Appalachian State University and was introduced to Hunger and Health Coalition as an intern in 2019. Through years of hard work and dedication, Alyssa has worked her way through the organization; starting as a Fresh Market Coordinator, Pharmacy Technician, Administrative Assistant and now the Volunteer and Events Coordinator.
Background: Associate’s in Applied Science, Bachelor’s in Psychology minoring in Biology, Sociology, and Social Work.
Favorite vegetable: Onion
Favorite fruit: Green grapes
Hobbies: Concert going, collecting Funko pops, watching anime, and getting tattoos.
Favorite part of role: Alyssa loves that her job allows her to be creative and innovative through event planning, A Simple Gesture, and intern and volunteer planning!
She/Her
Community Engagement &Administrative
Support
Matt Arnold
Volunteer Coordinator
Started at HHC: December 2023
Bio: I was born just south of Atlanta but grew up here in Boone. After living in Durham for over 20 years I recently moved back to Boone. I attended Appalachian State for my Bachelor’s in Sociology and East Carolina for a Masters in Technical and Professional Communications. I am the Fresh Market Coordinator and manage the flow of bread, desserts and produce.
Background: I have worked for the National STD/AIDS hotlines and on public health research studies where I interviewed populations including Gulf Oil Spill workers and survivors of physical trauma.
Fun fact: I enjoy writing weird fiction and have self-published a novella on Amazon.
Favorite fruit: Apples and avocados!
Favorite part of role: Putting together boxes of produce for clients and interactions with clients and coworkers!
He/Him
Nick Binaco
IT Administrator
Started at HHC: July 2024
Bio: I am Florida-born and Southern-raised. I have a deep passion for technology and a strong commitment to helping my fellow team members succeed, I strive to provide them with the tools and support they need.
Background: BSBA Computer Information Systems with a Cybersecurity Concentration
Favorite fruit: Star fruit (Carambola)
Hobbies: I make art, immerse myself in literature, appreciate obscure Japanese jazz, and build models.
Favorite part of role: As an IT Administrator at a nonprofit, I take great pride in supporting individuals who make a meaningful impact in our community by ensuring that our technology operates smoothly and efficiently. My role allows me to empower others to focus on their vital work, knowing they have reliable technology at their fingertips.
He/Him
food Access
Michael Osborne
Market Coordinator
Started at HHC: December 2022
Bio: I'm from Creston, NC and went to Appalachian State University where I got a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. I started at HHC in 2022 as a Community Donation Driver, spent some time as the Pantry Coordinator and am currently the Market Coordinator.
Favorite fruit: Oranges
Hobbies: Concerts, playing guitar, watching movies
Favorite part of role: Dealing with a new problem every day and having the best coworkers!
He/Him
Laura Loomis
Food Recovery Coordinator
Started at HHC: March 2022
Bio: I’m originally from Kansas City but call Watauga County home. I was raised by a dietitian and love being a chef. I am on a vegetable propaganda campaign.
Background: I studied sustainable development with a concentration in community, regional, global development and a specialization in food sovereignty. I want to use the local food system to build close knit relationships.
Favorite vegetable: I love all brassicas.
Hobbies: Dance, comedy, reading, cooking
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of my role is my relationships with my volunteers and the chaos.
She/Her
Graham Geiser
Pantry Coordinator
Started at HHC: March 2025
Bio: Graham grew up in Burnsville, NC. He's been a resident of Watauga County for 15 years and currently lives in Blowing Rock.
Background: Attended Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and Appalachian State University with the hopes of obtaining a Geology degree.
Favorite fruit: Oranges
Hobbies: Outdoor enthusiast, fly fishing, photography, content creation, self proclaimed rock hound.
Favorite part of role: Being able to help obtain and serve my community with nutritional substances and building relationships with local businesses.
He/Him
Priscilla Nogueira
Mobile Delivery Program Coordinator
Trilingual - Portugese, Spanish
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: I’m originally from Brazil, but I lived in Spain for 13 years and in Germany for 4 years. I’m a military wife and now a proud American citizen. All these experiences have helped me connect with people from many different backgrounds. I speak Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and I’ve always enjoyed supporting my community.
Background: I started working at HHC in May 2022 as the Pantry Coordinator, and now I’m the Mobile Delivery Program Coordinator.
Hobbies: I love going out and talking to people, learning about their life experiences. I also enjoy cleaning and organizing my house, spending time with my hubby and dog and taking her for walks. Traveling and getting to know other countries and cultures is something I really enjoy too.
Favorite part of role: I love what I do making sure people who can’t come to the pantry still get the food they need means a lot to me. My favorite part is getting to know our clients and volunteers, building relationships, and being able to help others in a real way.
She/Her
Avery Pepper
Lead Food Recovery Driver
Started at HHC: October 2024
Bio: I grew up in a small town called Roanoke Rapids, NC, and moved to Boone, NC when I graduated high school. As a food recovery driver, I drive out into the community to collect donations from partnered businesses.
Background: Associates Degree in Arts
Favorite fruit: Oranges
Hobbies: Hiking, playing guitar, puzzles
Favorite part of role: I enjoy getting to interact with so many people in our community. I have met a lot of great folks who are really passionate about helping others.
He/Him
Laurene Hawks
Food Access Assistant
Started at HHC: June 2025
Bio: I grew up here local. I'm a Food Access Assistant, so you can typically find me in the Market or the Kitchen!
Background: Previously worked in a veterinary clinic.
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Hobbies: I write and clean.
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of my role is providing people with the necessary food.
She/Her
Andrew Hall
Pantry Assistant
Started at HHC: June 2025
Bio: I'm from Wilson, NC, and lived in Boone for the past six years. I'm the Pantry Assistant and help with nonperishable items and food donation pickups.
Background: I'm currently finishing my undergraduate degree at UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Hobbies: Skiing, hiking, fishing, golfing
Favorite part of role: My favorite part is the fun environment and the meaningful work.
He/Him
Health Access
Brianne Wolf
PharmD
Pharmacist
Started at HHC: June 2025
Bio: I grew up in northeast Ohio and have lived in several states since, but have called Watauga County home for about the past 10 years. I went to pharmacy school in Erie, PA and I have worked in a variety of different pharmacy settings to include community, hospital, clinic, and continuing education instruction.
Background: PharmD, BCACP (Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist). Graduated from LECOM School of Pharmacy in Erie, PA.
Favorite vegetable: All of them!
Hobbies: Gardening, cooking, hiking, and puzzles/games with my family
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of being a pharmacist is educating and answering questions for my patients and having the ability to make a difference in the community.
She/Her
Makayla Caudill
Prescription Assistance Coordinator
Started at HHC: September 2022
Bio: I was born and raised in Hickory and attended Appalachian State University for a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. My role at Hunger and Health is to provide free brand-name medications and free eyeglasses to eligible clients.
Background: Bachelor of Science in Public Health. I was a Certified Nursing Assistant for five years before coming to HHC as an intern and then was hired as a staff member!
Favorite fruit: Pineapple
Favorite vegetable: Mushrooms
Favorite fruit: Phenazopyridine, it turns your urine orange!
Hobbies: Variations of Crafting, hiking, puzzles, and thrifting
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of being the Prescription Assistance Coordinator is being able to give away expensive medications to people who don't have the income or the insurance to cover it, for free. For example, I had a medication to order in 2023 that was $16,000 for a one-month supply that I was able to give away for free.
She/Her
Alyssia Medina
Pharmacy Technician
Started at HHC: August 2022
Bio: I'm from Sanford, NC, and attended Central Carolina Community College. I started to volunteer at HHC on and off in 2018 when I would visit my sister, Alyssa, and then was hired to the staff in 2022!
Background:Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene
Favorite vegetable: Corn
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Favorite medication: Olmesartan because it smells like cake batter/ yogurt!
Hobbies: Concerts, tattoos, anime
Favorite part of role: Being able to help our clients get their medication in a timely manner without a lapse in coverage. Filling prescriptions is one of my favorite parts of the job.
She/Her
Jennifer Koenig
Pharmacy Technician
Bilingual - Spanish
Started at HHC: October 2022
Bio: I'm a bilingual (Spanish) pharmacy tech at HHC! I started as a volunteer at HHC in January of 2021 and then joined the staff in 2022!
Favorite vegetable: Roasted root vegetables
Hobbies: Hiking, reading
Favorite part of role: Helping our Spanish-speaking clients to get the help they're looking for!
She/Her
Jonathan Farrior
MS, RDN, LDN
Food is Medicine
Started at HHC: June 2023
Bio: I’m from a small farm town in Duplin County, on the southeastern side of NC. I entered the workforce out of high school and held various labor positions before eventually pursuing nutrition and dietetics at ECU for undergraduate and ASU for graduate school. I’m currently filling the Food is Medicine Coordinator position, and much of my job entails ensuring that we have adequate inventory of food to meet client needs, as well as assessing clients for eligibility in our malnutrition program.
Background: MS, RDN, LDN
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Hobbies: Video games, bonfires, hiking, and cooking
Favorite part of role: I get to talk with clients, learning about their life, to help them target what they feel are achievable actions toward their goals. I have clients that just make my day better, even when they’re struggling; they’ll come and give me a hug or word of encouragement, and some days that just makes it all worthwhile.
He/Him
Morgan Baker
RN
Clinic Manager
Started at HHC: June 2025
Bio: I grew up and currently live in Ashe County. I attended Campbell University, and then received a nursing degree in Pensacola, Florida.
Background: My career background is in medical-surgical, long term care, and skilled nursing.
Favorite vegetable: Foraged ramps
Hobbies: My hobbies are baking sourdough goods, gardening, spending time with my husband, two children, and two dogs.
Favorite part of role: I'm proud to be a part of a team that is meeting healthcare and food needs in our community.
She/Her
Andrea Brubaker
NP
Medical Provider
Started at HHC: Began at the Community Care Clinic in August 2022.
Bio: She is originally from Atlanta, GA and lives in Boone with her husband, son, and dog "Beans." She relocated to Boone from rural northern California, where she worked at a Federally Qualified Community Health Center. Prior to her nurse practitioner training at Emory University in Atlanta, she also lived in rural Thailand as a Fulbright scholar.
Background: Master of Science in Nursing from Emory University;
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emory University; and Bachelor of Science from University of Georgia.
Favorite fruit: Passionfruit and mango
Hobbies: Soccer, hiking, traveling
Favorite part of role: Watching patients feel better and stronger after making some often difficult changes to improve their health!
She/Her
Barb Hathaway
NP
Medical Provider
Started at HHC:
Bio:
Favorite vegetable:
Hobbies:
Favorite part of role:
She/Her
Kim Carter
MA, LPA
Psychologist
She/Her
Started at CCC: October 2023
Bio: I grew up outside of Philly In South Jersey. Go Birds! My favorite job and title is "Mom" to two girls, an unruly dog and an angry cat.
Background: I went to Villanova for undergrad and later received my Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State. I volunteered briefly for the Community Care Clinic in 2008 and have worked at the clinic part time since October 2023.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy being outdoors; hiking, paddling, and gardening.
Favorite vegetable: My favorite vegetable is anything fresh from my garden.
Favorite part of role: As a psychologist I provide traditional therapy/counseling sessions, brief psychological assessment and brief behavioral health interventions to enhance and promote integrated care at the clinic.
Cathy Gragg
Patient Care Coordinator
She/Her
Started at HHC: February 2022
Bio: I was born and raised in Boone. I have a daughter, son and 2 grandsons.
Background: AAS degree in Secretarial work from CCC&TI
Favorite fruit: Peaches and strawberries
Favorite vegetable: Green beans
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my kids, grandkids, and friends.
Favorite part of role: Helping to make a difference in people's lives!
Melissa Sutherland
LPN
Lab Manager
She/Her
Started at CCC: July 2021
Bio: I was born and raised in the PNW in Portland, Oregon. I came to Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee, in 1980 where I met and married my husband. We live on his homeplace. I have a daughter, two cats, and an old hound — Jack.
Background: My background is in nursing at Tennessee Tech University and Northeast State.
Favorite fruit: Rasperries
Hobbies: Travel, reading, quilting, and anything outdoors.
Favorite part of role: I love the diversity of nursing. I love the patients at the clinic; they have interesting lives and stories!
Angie Swanson
CMA
Medical Assistant
She/Her
Started at Community Care Clinic: March 2017
Bio: I was born and raised in Watauga County. I currently live in Caldwell County. My role as a Medical Assistant includes supporting the healthcare providers with both clinical and administrative tasks for the clinic. I help patients both directly and indirectly as a link between the patient and provider.
Background: Associate of Applies Science in Medical Assisting from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. I am also a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Favorite fruit: Raspberries and blueberries
Favorite vegetable: Squash
Hobbies: Camping, gardening, photography, crafting, puzzles
Favorite part of role: Making a difference in patients lives by contributing to patient well-being and improved outcomes. I also enjoy the varies responsibilities of my role.
Client Services
He/Him
Started at HHC: Originally February 2022, came back in February 2025 after a brief hiatus
Bio: I am from Cidra, Puerto Rico — born and raised. I moved to the United States once I joined the military. After ending my military career, I decided to go back to school and got my Bachelors of Social Work at Appalachian State University.
Background: I have a background in community base work and substance use disorder. I will be starting a dual master's in Social Work and Disaster Management in Fall 2025.
Favorite fruit: Apples
Favorite vegetable: Beets
Hobbies: Hiking and exercise
Favorite part of role: Interacting with local communities, find resources and advocate for the needs of our clients.
Juan Carlos Rivera
Client Support Manager
She/Her
Started at HHC: February 2023
Bio: I'm a North Carolina native and Appalachian State University alumna of 1997. My dogs are named Buster and Bandit and my cats are named Twister and Queenie.
Favorite vegetable: Legumes!
Favorite part of role: I love spreading joy to our clients and my colleagues!
Susan Ashburn
Client Support Specialist
Chelsea Pipes
Client Support Assistant
Started at HHC: June 2023
Bio: I grew up in Lenoir, NC, but Boone is home to me. I came here to attend Appalachian State University for a degree in social work and have lived here for 8 years now.
Background: Bachelor's in Social Work
Favorite fruit: Tomato
Hobbies: Taking pictures, going to concerts, thrifting, and watching movies
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of my role at HHC is being able to interact with the clients and get to know them and their stories.
She/Her
Support Services
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Ham McClain
Part-time Paper Shredder | Head of Security| Custodial Support
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: Ham was adopted from Watauga Humane Society at 3 months old. Ham was homeschooled where he graduated top of his class with a variety of tricks. Ham works as security, using his beagle talents to howl at everyone who enters his mom's office when he visits on Fridays. On his down time, he also works to shred documents for the office staff.
Background: Registered Good Boy
Favorite vegetable: Sweet potato
Hobbies: Ham enjoys long sniffies, staring at you, laying in the sun, and sleeping under the covers after a hard day at work.
Favorite part of role: Getting to be with my mom!
He/Him