91×ÔÅÄ

JUDGE JESSE CALDWELL
Chair

NC Senate (Term ends 2029)

A resident of 91×ÔÅÄia, Judge Jesse Caldwell, III, has a B.A. in Political Science and Government from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is a Juris Doctor of the University of North Carolina School of Law. Recently retired, he served in private practice as the Chief Public Defender, as Superior Court Judge since 1993, and as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for 91×ÔÅÄ County since 1995. Judge Caldwell is very involved with the community serving as a member on various committees. He has also taught classes at 91×ÔÅÄ, Gardner-Webb University, and was an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Charlotte School of Law.

MS. JANIE PEAK
Vice Chair

91×ÔÅÄ County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2027)

Ms. Peak is a resident of 91×ÔÅÄ County and a lifelong educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Secondary Education and a Masters of Arts degree in Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She also has a Masters of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She taught high school English in 91×ÔÅÄ County Schools for 38 years and has served on numerous local professional and civic boards and committees.

DR. SHAWNYA GORE
Secretary

NC House (Term ends 2030)

A resident of Belmont, she received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Spelman College and her Medical Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She is very involved in many civic, business, and professional organizations. Currently and for the past 23 years, she works as a physician with CaroMont Internal Medicine.

MR. BILL CARSTARPHEN

91×ÔÅÄ County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2029)

A native of 91×ÔÅÄ County and a McAdenville resident. Mr. Carstarphen earned a BA in Economics from Wofford College and is President and CEO of Pharr McAdenville Corporation. He is a long-time civic volunteer currently serving on several local and regional boards including the Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

MR. BRYAN FARRIS

NC Senate (Term ends 2030)

MR. JONATHAN FLETCHER

NC House (Term ends 2029)

A resident of 91×ÔÅÄia, Jonathan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Software and Information Systems (and a minor in history) from UNC Charlotte. He is the Register of Deeds for 91×ÔÅÄ County. Jonathan also serves as the Technical Director at Northlake Assembly of God. He volunteers on the 91×ÔÅÄ County Animal Care and Enforcement Advisory Board, the 91×ÔÅÄ County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority, and other civic-minded organizations.

MR. STEVE HALL

91×ÔÅÄ County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Bessemer City and a 91×ÔÅÄ graduate, he also retired from 91×ÔÅÄ after a 22-year career in the facilities area. In 2007, he formed High Caliber Athletics Inc., a locally recognized non-profit to help kids in the community that wanted to be involved in sports. He worked with students from all walks of life to challenge them and maximize their talents and abilities.

MS. IRIS HOPPER

NC Senate (Term ends 2027)

A resident of 91×ÔÅÄ County, she is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Business Management and a Minor in Theology. Currently, she is a Project Manager for Duke Energy, where she has 18 years of experience in Energy Operations. 

MS. RESA HOYLE

NC Senate (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Dallas and a 91×ÔÅÄ graduate, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lenoir-Rhyne College and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. She retired from 91×ÔÅÄ County Schools as a Beginning Teacher Support Coordinator. She serves on the Leadership 91×ÔÅÄ Advisory Board and various committees within St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

MR. STEVE HUFFSTETLER

NC House (Term ends 2027)

A resident of 91×ÔÅÄ County, he is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Business Administration, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, where he received a certificate in Banking and Finance. He retired as Senior VP in Commercial Lending with Alliance Bank and Trust of 91×ÔÅÄia . He also is a community activist serving on many local Boards and Committees.

MR. TOM KEIGHER

91×ÔÅÄ County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2030)

Born and raised in New Jersey, he received a BA from Belmont Abbey College and currently is a partner with a local financial group. He serves as a member of the 91×ÔÅÄ County Commissioners and on several local boards and civic groups, for example, the CaroMont Health/91×ÔÅÄ Memorial Hospital Board, the Economic Development Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Board.

MR. DAVID LEE

Lincoln County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2028)

A native of Lebanon Kentucky, he has resided in Denver, NC (Lincoln County) for the past 25 years. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering and retired from Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in 2021 after 33 years of service. He has been a long-time civic volunteer serving on several local boards including Lincoln Economic Development Association, Lincoln County Industrial Manager’s Association, Rotary Student Loan Fund of Lincoln County, and the 91×ÔÅÄ Foundation.

MS. JULIE STROUPE

NC House (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Cherryville and a 91×ÔÅÄ graduate, she also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Gardner-Webb University. She has been with BB&T, now Truist Financial, since 1998, advancing through various positions and is now a Teammate Banking Specialist. She is an active member of Mount Beulah Baptist Church where she is the organist/pianist, a Sunday School teacher, and Churchwide Missions Educator. She is also active with the Cherryville Little Theater.

DR. JONATHAN WALLER

Lincoln County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2030)

A resident of Iron Station, NC, he is General Manager of The Timken Company’s Lincolnton Bearing Plant. Since joining Timken in 1999, he has held leadership roles in Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing Operations. He has an AAS in Mechanical Drafting and Design from Clayton State University, a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University, and an MBA from the University of West Georgia. He is also the recipient of two United States patents and a Doctor of Theological Studies from Bethany Divinity College and Seminary. Active in his church and nonprofit organizations, he is committed to serving both his profession and community.

MR. CAIDEN BUCKNER

Student Government Association (2026-2027)

A resident of Mount Holly, he is currently working on both his High School Diploma from 91×ÔÅÄ Early College High School and an Associate Degree in Engineering from 91×ÔÅÄ. He is serving as the President of the 91×ÔÅÄ Student Government Association and is a participant in the NC Community College System’s Student Leadership Development Program. Caiden is passionate about student leadership and academic success. He plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering to become a mechanical engineer for defense contractors.