Leadership Team
Executive Director
Travis Smith, MDiv. founded Blue Ridge Hope in 2014. Four years later BRH officially became a non-profit. Travis is a grief counselor who served with Hospices in western North Carolina and in Charlotte, NC for 10 years. After his time with Hospice, Travis served as Director of an adult day health facility.
His experience in helping individuals cope with death and loss is second to none. Travis has overseen many grief groups as well as grief camps for children. Travis prides himself on his ability to work with people of all religious and faith backgrounds. His approach to coaching is client driven.
Travis Smith
Travis earned his bachelors degree in religious studies as well as his Master's of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. He is married to Allyson and together they have 4 children.
Travis is passionate about removing barriers to access quality health services, promoting holistic integrated care for the community, and driving the vision and mission of Blue Ridge Hope is to connect individuals with resources that will help them be successful in attaining their emotional goals, reconciling personal loss and developing health and wholeness to those who so desperately need it.
Assistant Executive Director
Allyson co-founded Blue Ridge Hope along with her husband, Travis. Before she began working full-time at BRH, she worked in ophthalmology for over 15 years in Charlotte, NC.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Gardner-Webb University.
Allyson is the glue that holds Blue Ridge Hope together. From answering the phone, to communicating with insurance companies, recruiting counselors, helping train all of our staff, and so much more! Allyson does a plethora of other things behind the scenes that keeps Blue Ridge Hope up and running.
Allyson Smith
Along with being endorsed by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition she is also a Yoga Fit instructor. Beside all of her credentials she is most proud to be called a wife and mother.
Director of Community Engagement
John Miller (M.Div) joined Blue Ridge Hope in August of 2022. He has a true passion to serve the community and to make a positive impact in the lives of everyone he meets, especially students and their families. John has served in ministry for over 20 years, including serving at First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton since 2016. John leads Hopeworks, our afterschool program that provides a safe and positive environment for students to build community, in addition to getting help with their homework.
John loves Starbucks coffee, playing guitar, listening to rock music, and spending time with his family (Mindy, Abby, Hayden, and Mackenzie).
John Miller
John earned his Bachelors Degree in Religious Education (with a minor in Business Administration), as well as a Master’s of Divinity in Pastoral Care & Counseling from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC.
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Amy Cochran McCraw
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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Miranda Queen
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
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Stephanie Lattimore
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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Lynette Dover
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
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Bekah Hunt-Fleetwood
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associated
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Michael Taub
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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David Hislop
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
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Jerry Wease
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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Joann Woods
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
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Faith Hislop
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
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Karin White
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern
Support Team
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Shay Nash Long
Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
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Carol Gibbs
Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
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Kasey Hughes
Billing Specialist
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Mackenzie McAbee
Appointments Coordinator
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Josie Kay Mollette
Mentor with HOPEworks (You may also find her at our front desk!)
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Sherry Barstow
Finance Manager
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Berkley Joyner
Communication Strategist
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Lissie Cox
Social Creative