County Commissioners

Amanda Edwards - Chair

Growing up deep in the Appalachian Mountains shaped Amanda into a lifelong advocate for people and our incomparably beautiful mountains and vital natural resources. On Commission, Amanda has led on policy to make Buncombe County more livable and affordable for locals and more resilient to climate change, pandemics, and economic downturns.

Amanda is known for bringing people together, finding common ground, and achieving meaningful results. Amanda is the Executive Director of the A-B Tech Foundation, past Executive Director of the Western NC Chapter of the American Red Cross, and past Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County.

Amanda holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from UNC-Asheville. Amanda and her husband, a high school principal, met while attending UNC-Asheville. They are raising their son in Weaverville.

Al Whitesides - District 1

Al Whitesides is recognized throughout Asheville as a successful businessman, a community leader and a living touchstone to the city's struggle to eliminate segregation.

The long-time community activist and former banker is the first African-American to serve as a commissioner for Buncombe County.

Jennifer Horton - District 1

Jennifer Horton is a dedicated public servant, Registered Nurse, business owner, and advocate for the Buncombe County community.

A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Jennifer attended local public schools and has deep roots in the region she proudly represents. She is a proud mother of four, including a graduate of Buncombe County Schools and three children who will attend in the coming years.

As a Registered Nurse and the owner of five assisted family care homes, Jennifer provides housing and support for residents, many of whom have mental health diagnoses. Her professional background and dedication to service highlight her passion for addressing critical needs in the community and improving access to care.

Jennifer actively serves on the following boards, working to advance meaningful initiatives for Buncombe County:

• Early Childhood Education & Development Committee
• Health & Human Services Board
• Vaya County Commissioner Advisory Board
• Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care Homelessness Board

Driven by a commitment to equity and opportunity, Jennifer works tirelessly to ensure that Buncombe County is a place where everyone can thrive. Her dedication to creating lasting change has made her a trusted leader and advocate for the community.

When she’s not working on behalf of her constituents, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and giving back through volunteer efforts across Buncombe County.

Terri Wells - District 2

Terri Wells is the 9th generation of her family to live and farm in the beautiful farming community of Sandy Mush.

She currently serves on the Ag Advisory Board, School Capital Commission, Energy and Environment Subcommittee, Land of Sky Regional Council, Ex-Officio for BCTDA, as well as North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Agricultural Steering Committee and the Environmental Steering Committee.

Terri has a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Terri and Glenn Ratcliff, her husband, are both 1989 graduates of Clyde A. Erwin High School. Glenn teaches Chemistry at A-B Tech. They live on the family farm in Sandy Mush.

Martin Moore - District 2

Martin began his career in public service as an attorney in Buncombe County.

He has dedicated much of his professional career and service to advocating for his neighbors both in and out of the courtroom, working with small businesses, non-profits, and often volunteers his time and legal expertise advocating for Buncombe County youth.

Martin is committed to improving policy around affordability for Buncombe residents, assuring quality education for our students, and working toward effective, inclusive public safety initiatives. He was elected to Buncombe County Commission in 2022 and believes local leadership must prioritize the health, safety, and quality of life of Buncombe residents while making sustainable choices for our community.

Martin obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Philosophy from UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Martin and his girlfriend, Kendra, live in South Asheville with their dog Lexi.

Parker Sloan - District 3

Parker and his wife live in Asheville where they are raising their two young children.

Parker has focused his career on public service, land use policy and action on climate change. For his day job Parker is Director of Government Affairs at Advantage Renewables. Parker holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Western Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in Community Planning and Geography from Appalachian State University.

Parker believes that thoughtful, innovative leadership on climate change is necessary to ensure the prosperity and health of residents as well as the sustainability and natural beauty of Buncombe County.

On behalf of Buncombe County, Parker serves as Chair of the Climate and Environmental Stewardship Committee, on the board of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, Buncombe County's Affordable Housing Committee, and the Justice Resource Advisory Council.

Drew Ball - District 3

Drew is a dedicated environmental advocate and community organizer with decades of experience working to create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

Currently, he works with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and has held leadership roles within the Sierra Club, Environment North Carolina, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He has worked as a legislative assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he focused on constituent services and helped shape state policy. Drew is a volunteer firefighter with the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department, serving our community in times of need.

Drew holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, with a focus in state and local management, from American University, and a B.A. in Political Science from NC State University. Outside of his policy work, he is an active musician, contributing to our region's vibrant and diverse music scene. Drew and his fiancée, Meaghan, live on their small homestead in south Asheville with their two dogs, Buck and Maybelle.