I am a third generation UU who grew up going to UU family camps at Star Island (NH) and Lake Geneva (WI). I was born in West Virginia ("Mountain Mama") and grew up near Milwaukee, WI.

Since moving to Western NC in 2012, my husband Langdon and I have been members at UU Asheville. My committee volunteer work has mostly involved welcoming (e.g. coordinating ushers/greeters) and religious education (recently rebranded "religious exploration" at our

church), as well as service on the committee to organize the church's annual retreat at The Mountain.

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Professionally I work in human research ethics for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reviewing research studies to assure they meet laws and ethical guidelines of research.

I first came to The Mountain in 2015 to be an Apprentice on the Many Hands Peace Farm. At that time, the Farm was still forming. I became smitten with the region’s land and water and knew that this was where I wanted to be. After that first season at The Mountain, I decided to move to Highlands fulltime. I committed myself to the roles of Guest Services at The Mountain from 2016-2021. This chapter of my life is rich with connection. What a gift it was to be at The Mountain each day to aid the facilitation of countless good works, programs, and gatherings. I was frequently inspired by all the medicine that The Mountain is able to provide a container for. I learned countless lessons, witnessed small miracles, and was continually supported by The Mountain’s ever ebbing and flowing community as I set down my roots in this place.

My goal as a Board Member is to stay in and continue to strengthen and expand the interconnected web of Mountain visitors, builders and dreamers. I know how it felt to be supported by Members of The Board of Trustees when I was on Staff, and it is my intention to return that service and help in bridging the collection of caring voices that seek to create a thriving Mountain for All.

I am an ordained Unitarian Universalist Community Minister serving the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola. I reside in Pensacola with my partner in ministry, and service animal, Daisy Dog, my partner Chad and two loving felines. I feel that Unitarian Universalism is truly a lifesaving faith and it is my mission to spread the good news that you are loved, valued and worthy just as you are!

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I attended Starr King School for the Ministry where I completed my Master of Arts in Social Change with an additional Certificate in Unitarian Universalist Studies. We are better together, we can only change the world together, and every day is a new chance to live fully toward those ideals, embrace our diversity and join in building the Beloved Community together!

I came with a group of volunteers from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia less than 10 years ago and have been volunteering several times a year since. It’s simply an inclusive, accepting, positive place in a beautiful inspiring physical setting. I have attended our annual church retreat twice. I’ve seen so many interesting programs scheduled but haven’t actually attended.

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I want to assist in decreasing risk for The Mountain by continuing to improve maintenance and safety; assess what will keep guests returning; and determine how to

make more people aware of The Mountain.

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It’s important to me to spend time with family and friends; continue to learn about anything/everything; and expand my spiritual exploration.

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I believe that we are all responsible for helping to improve people’s lives—whether through our gifts, or just consciously valuing and caring for everyone we meet.

I first came to The Mountain when we joined the UU Congregation of Asheville 4 years

ago. I visited many times with Church retreats and chaperoned various Youth Cons.

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I was born in Brooklyn, New York and

lived in New Jersey until the age of 16

when my family moved to South Florida.

After my wife, Michelle, and I married in

2000 we moved to North Carolina. With

brief stints in Charlotte and Raleigh we

moved to Black Mountain, NC in 2016. I

am a freelance Audio Engineer working

mostly in Radio and Advertising.

My older daughter and I discovered The Mountain when she was almost done with elementary school.  We went to our first Mountain Con with just the two of us, and soon built a whole group of kids (and other parents) from our fellowship who made it a practice to go to every Con we could.  We kept going through graduation, just in time for my younger daughter to be ready for her first Con, and the cycle began again. 

I’ve always been focused on The Mountain as it relates to children’s needs, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to explore how The Mountain meets the needs of adults of all ages as well.  I feel like I’m doing my fair share of the work being on the Board, and I’m grateful for the chance to be helpful.

Black Mountain, NC. BA in Economics, Macalester College. MS in Experiential Education, Minnesota State University. Retired from a career in Outdoor Education and Camp/Conference Center leadership. Served as Interim Director of The Mountain 2011-13. Member of UUCSV in Black Mountain; serve as Treasurer for the congregation and on the Sunday Service Program committee.

The Mountain holds a dear place in my heart -- starting in 2007 when my wife and I were married on the deck outside the Lodge overlooking the beautiful vista, and then held our wedding dinner in the Dining Hall and reception at the Treehouse / Rec Hall.  It was magical! 

I am a lifelong UU, and have served as our congregation's board president, on the SE UU Cluster board, and on the UUA national advisory council.  I'm happily  married, with four grown children and one grandson!

I firmly believe in the purpose and mission of The Mountain, and am grateful The Mountain sits peacefully providing a sanctuary for replenishment and renewal. 

Jason Cobb grew up in Columbia, SC. Jason attended the University of South Carolina on a full musical scholarship. He attended USC for two years before deciding to enlist in the US Air Force. His Air Traffic Control Squadron was deployed to Bosnia in 1996, earning him his veteran status at the age of 22. Jason returned to Columbia and obtained his RN degree and worked for several years as an ER Nurse.

Jason fell in love with The Mountain in 2022, after attending with other volunteers from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia. He returned a few weeks later and participated in the Grateful Gathering celebration, which cemented his desire to be of service to The Mountain. With extensive grant-writing and development experience, Jason hopes to further The Mountain’s mission, of enriching the lives of others,
through economic growth and development. He also wants to help The Mountain discover new and innovative programs that will reach and captivate a multicultural and diverse population.

I am a native of Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Emory University, Goizueta Business School with an Executive MBA. Currently, I am living full time in Highlands, North Carolina.
In my healthcare industry career of 29 years, I gained expertise within complex corporate environments
in sales, client relationship management, strategic planning, program development, marketing and communications.
 

At UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for 19 years, I specialized in client management of large corporate accounts.
 

In the second half of life, I am dedicated to supporting the awareness of holistic health, wellbeing and regenerative food and to ensuring that natural resources and all beings on the planet are thriving for generations to come.

I have supported The Mountain for the past two years after being drawn to its worldview of wholeness and interdependence. During this time, I had the opportunity to build relationships with the Staff, which enhanced my desire to partner with The Mountain in a more meaningful way.  I would love to help the Board to bring alive the full potential of The Mountain’s mission and to help develop strong relationships to foster the advancement of its mission.

Camille Cassingham has been involved at The Mountain since childhood, from attending MountainCamp as a youth and working there as an adult to living and working onsite for 6 months in 2014.
 

Most recently, she was the 2019 MountainCamp coordinator. While the pandemic drastically reduced her involvement with The Mountain, she is excited to become involved again. Camille lives in Atlanta where she is a lay minister at UUCA, a Religious Studies student at Georgia State, and a part-time nanny.

Formerly the co-director of a small, private, nonprofit school, she has experience serving on a nonprofit board and is familiar with the inner workings of nonprofit organizations. She would be delighted to bring this experience to The Mountain.

Bio coming soon...

My background is varied in that I have done and worked in

many industries, but the common trait is that I am a natural born leader who gets very passionate about causes that are important to me and can inspire staff and volunteers alike to accomplish great things. I have a background in Non-Profit Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Property

Management, Outdoor Education, Camps for kids, Resort management & customer service. Since I have worked for, or with so many non-profits, I know well the importance of volunteer stewardship and fundraising.

I am curious by nature and am self-taught in so many areas. One of my more recent positions with Girl Scouts, I was part of the Leadership team and was very involved with all strategic planning, budgeting and more to ensure we

were best serving our girls and adults in Environmental Education and more.  

Forest University School of Medicine in Pharmacology. Former Board member and President of Southern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute. Now on Core Staff for SUUSI. Currently Past President of the Board of the UU Fellowship of Raleigh.