Marc board of directors

MARC Board of Directors - Executive Members

  • As a Certified Public Accountant and founder of a CPA firm focused on the nonprofit sector, Slater Solomon brings decades of financial expertise and nonprofit governance experience to MARC’s leadership.

    In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Slater recognized that his background could play a critical role in supporting the county’s recovery. He is dedicated to ensuring MARC carries out equitable recovery for Madison County while also strengthening the partnerships, systems, and institutional knowledge needed to help the county prepare for future disasters.

    Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Slater and his wife Nikki settled in Marshall in 2021, drawn by the rugged beauty of the mountains and the deep sense of mutual care that defines Madison County.

  • In the direct aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Chris catalyzed the formation of MARC. Drawing on his experience as Executive Director of the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County, he understood both the structural and human dimensions of rebuilding after the storm. He knew recovery would require a coordinated, county-wide effort and that is could be built off of the mutual aid unfolding organically among neighbors.

    A continuing priority for Chris is strengthening MARC’s role beyond disaster recovery and positioning the organization as a platform for equitable rebuilding and long-term resilience planning.

    Chris lives with his wife and children in Marshall, where he is deeply invested in the strength of his neighborhoods, the mountains and waterways, and the intentional care residents show one another.

  • Sarah has extensive experience leading large teams and brings valuable strengths to MARC’s Board of Directors, including collaborative decision-making, conflict resolution, and active listening, all of which are essential to the collaborative work of recovery and community resilience.

    In her professional role, Sarah serves as Program Manager for Mountain Valleys RC&D Council, where she leads water resource initiatives that strengthen both local communities and the natural environment.

    Sarah joined MARC after becoming inspired by the groundswell of community response. She is particularly proud of her work on MARC’s Disaster Case Management Committee, where thoughtful and rigorous dialogue helps guide mission-driven decisions.

    Originally from Rhode Island, Sarah has moved to WNC in 2015 and to Marshall in 2022, where she enjoys baking, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her two young boys, as well as her hound dogs, goats, and chickens. 

  • Heather joined MARC recognizing that long-term recovery requires more than goodwill—it requires strong financial systems, transparent reporting, and sound oversight to ensure resources are deployed effectively and equitably.

    Heather is a Certified Public Accountant currently serving as Finance Director at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). In addition, she serves as Treasurer for the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, where she helped oversee significant funding distributed in response to Hurricane Helene. As a CPA. her focus is simple and direct: to help ensure that every dollar entrusted to MARC enhances survivors lives and strengthens the county’s future resilience.

    Born and raised in Madison County, Heather returned home after college and years working in the Washington, D.C. metro area, bringing with her both professional expertise and a personal commitment to the community that shaped her.

MARC Board of Directors

  • A lifetime community organizer and leader, Jessi co-founded local initiatives, supported homeschool families, and consistently shows up wherever there is a need.

    Currently serving as Executive Director of Beacon of Hope, a robust and longstanding food pantry, laundromat, and thrift store in Madison County, she brings to the MARC Board of Directors strong relationships across nonprofits, government agencies, mutual aid networks and grassroots groups, and intimate understanding of the challenges facing families in the county.

    Her service on MARC’s Board focuses on ensuring that recovery efforts are grounded in dignity, compassion, and practical support.

    Originally from Florida and raised in Nashville, Jessi Koontz has called the Bull Creek community of Marshall home since 2001. Outside of her professional and board roles, Jessi enjoys hiking, backpacking, paddleboarding, and spending time with her four children and lively household of pets.

  • Paul Moon brings a housing-centered lens and regional advocacy perspective to his service on the MARC Board of Directors. He has extensive knowledge of home repair programs, strong relationships with local partners, and the ability to connect smaller, localized initiatives to broader regional advocacy efforts.

    His professional work has focused on expanding access to home repair and ensuring vulnerable residents are not left behind in times of crisis. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Paul saw an opportunity not only to support immediate recovery efforts, but also to help build durable systems that prepare the county for future disasters.

    Paul is particularly committed to addressing unmet needs that often persist long after public attention fades, while helping establish long-term foundations for resilience.

    Originally from Chicago, Paul has lived in Madison County with his family for the past 12 years and is deeply appreciative of the natural beauty and mountain landscape that define the region. He enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and floating local rivers—activities that keep him closely connected to the landscapes he works to protect and sustain.

  • Jennifer Greene brings deep generational ties and a lifetime of service to her role on the MARC Board of Directors. Jennifer pursued higher education at AB Tech and Mars Hill College, earning degrees in mathematics, education, and a master’s degree in curriculum. She went on to teach mathematics for 28 years with 26 years in Madison County.

    For Jennifer, Madison County is more than a home—it is an extended family that is shaped by relationships, shared history, and the beauty of the land itself. Her long-standing connection to the community gives her a firsthand understanding of both its strengths and its needs.

    Jennifer was motivated to join MARC after the flood revealed how many people needed help but did not know how to access it; she sees her role as a bridge between families and the resources available to them and is especially proud of her work supporting response and recovery efforts in the Rollins community after the storm.

    Born in Florida and raised in South Carolina, Jennifer moved to Madison County in 1977 to return to a place where her family roots run deep. Outside of MARC, she enjoys working outdoors, remodeling projects, running an antique booth, and spending time with her church, family, and grandchildren.

  • With over 20 years of experience in community and economic development across North Carolina, Brad Guth brings a people-first approach to everything he does. His background spans strategic planning, Main Street revitalization, grant development, and stakeholder engagement. He leads with the empathy and optimism that have defined his career. Currently serving as Construction Partnership Lead with the Buncombe County Long Term Recovery Group, Brad understands both the systems and the human stories at the heart of rebuilding after disaster.

    When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, Brad was ready to serve. He has been part of MARC since its formation, bringing his instinct for connection and seeing how people, organizations, and ideas link together to help shape Madison County's recovery from the very beginning.

    Brad and his wife, Leigh, met at Mars Hill College and always knew the mountains were where they belonged. They made it back to Mars Hill in 2022 and are putting down roots in the same community they fell in love with, now with a front-row stake in its future.

MARC Recovery Director

  • In the weeks following the storm, Daria spent countless hours connecting neighbors with resources and building relationships in some of Madison County’s hardest-hit communities. What began as a desire to be useful evolved into a working model for recovery. As Daria helped survivors navigate increasingly complex challenges, it became clear that her skills in coordination and problem-solving could serve the community in a larger way. Since then, Daria has played a key role in the grassroots recovery initiatives and in building MARC from the ground up.

    Daria holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and brings experience spanning both the nonprofit and business sectors. Beyond her professional role, she serves on the boards of multiple local nonprofits focused on recreation and animal welfare.

    A resident of Western North Carolina for more than 23 years, she moved to Madison County in 2016, drawn to its mountains, star-filled nights, and eclectic small-town communities. Outside of work and volunteer service, Daria enjoys running trails with her dog, baking pies, and writing poetry. Her creative work has earned the prestigrious Pushcart Prize nomination and a Best of the Net nomination.