Board of Directors

Anne Hyder - Chair

Anne joined the Cowee School board in 2016. She holds a BSN degree from the University of South Carolina and was employed by Macon County Health Department for 31 years including serving as the Assistant Health Director for several years prior to her retirement. In addition to serving on the Cowee School board, Anne is the chair of the board of both the Macon County Department of Social Services and Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC) and serves on the leadership team of the Women’s History Trail, a project of FHAMC. Anne has lived in Macon County since 1975. She has two children and four grandchildren living in Macon County. Anne’s hobbies include volunteering and giving back to the community through her involvement in many organizations and spending time with her granddaughter and grandsons.

Bob McCollum - Vice Chair

Bob’s family was one of the founding families of Macon County. After graduating from Western Carolina University, Bob enjoyed a 32-year career in research at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory. Bob joined the board in 2013 and has served in many capacities, including as board chair. He has a passion for the mission of preserving Appalachian culture. When Bob isn’t volunteering at Cowee School, he sings with the V8s, “a Rock ‘N Soul explosion from the golden age of rock n roll.’. Bob and his wife, Elaine, enjoy traveling and trying new foods. A favorite quote from Bob: “Food. It’s one of the roses of life.”

Susan Bishop McCracken - Treasurer

Susan grew up in the Burningtown community of Macon County, attending Iotla Elementary School and Franklin High School. She earned bachelors and masters degrees from Western Carolina University, majoring in business/accounting. Susan began her public accounting career in Asheville, with a small regional firm, Crisp Hughes & Co. In 1993, she transferred to the firms Greenville SC office and was promoted to partner in 1996. Susan served as audit and accounting partner to clients around the southeast. As growth continued, the firm changed names several times, ending with DHG/Dixon Hughes Goodman at Susan’s retirement in 2016 after 31+ years. Susan and husband Ron moved to the Cowee valley permanently in 2018. In retirement, Susan earned the NC Master Gardener designation and currently serves as Treasurer of the Macon County Master Gardener Association. Susan enjoys gardening, travel, spending time with family, especially her young grandson. The lecture series, concerts and Cowee Christmas are some of her most enjoyed events at the Cowee School.

David Carpenter - Secretary

A native of Macon County, David grew up on a small farm in the Iotla community. Many generations of his family have lived in Macon County, and his paternal grandfather, Edgar (E. J.) Carpenter, served as principal of the Cowee School. David graduated from Franklin High School and then attended Western Carolina University. David worked for five years at WCU’s Hunter Library (where he met his wife Michael Ann Williams in the card catalog). He then attended library school at the University of Illinois. After earning his MLIS, he worked as a reference librarian at the University of Georgia and then Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt, David served as Head of Reference and later as Acting Director of Central Library. In 2019 he moved back to Macon County. In retirement, David enjoys playing old-time mountain music, a family tradition. He and Michael Ann both enjoy contra and square dancing, as well as hiking, including long-distance walking in Scotland and Wales. David was attracted to the Cowee School by its concerts, lectures, and events. He volunteered to help with projects at the school and tends a raised garden in the school’s courtyard.

Kelly Penland

Kelly is a Realtor ® in Macon County and loves the relationships and connections that are made through that work. A proud Gator fan and University of Florida Alumni, Kelly was raised in sunny Florida but she got to the mountains "as soon as she found out about them!" She directs a non-profit dance school, The Dance Arts Co-Op, which operates out of the Cowee School. She also enjoys gardening, sewing, bible study, traveling, reading, cooking and wine tasting. Kelly currently serves as secretary of the board of directors.

Ben Banick

Bio Coming Soon!

Claire Suminski

Claire hails from Hudson Falls, New York. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Lewis Clark State College in Idaho. Claire and her husband, Joe, moved to Franklin in 1991 to take over a business that her father founded, Dometrics, Inc. Dometrics’ roots are in an Adirondack based foundry, The Sandy Hill Corporation. Claire’s grandfather was vice-president of sales of the company which was very involved in the community of Hudson Falls, so Claire has deep roots in business and community service. Claire organizes the hugely popular Cowee Christmas event at Cowee School. Her close-knit, faith based family includes three daughters, one son, one foster son and two grandchildren. Claire’s hobbies include mentoring students and writing children’s book. She also enjoys music, art and heritage related activities.

Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor grew up in Murfreesboro, TN. He graduated from Siegel High School, where he developed a love for music, theatre, and cross country running. Jim graduated from Western Carolina University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Health Sciences. He went on to receive his Master's degree in School Counseling. He became a full time resident after securing a job as a school counselor for Macon County Schools. Jim has also worked in Clinical Counseling for Meridian Behavioral Health and as the Counseling Manager for Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps. He now runs a private counseling practice in downtown Franklin, NC and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from WCU. Jim has a deep appreciation for the Appalachian Mountains and the therapeutic benefits they hold for the people who live in and visit them. He enjoys planting and caring for native plants, hiking with his partner, and cooking meals for family and friends. Jim sees the vast value in the mission of the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center and hopes to add his knowledge of mental and emotional health to its offerings over time.

Susan Ervin

Susan has lived in Franklin for 40 years and is married to aquatic biologist, Dr. Bill McLarney. She served on the Macon County Planning Board and was co-coordinator of the League of Women Voters for many years. She has served on the board of Cowee School almost since the beginning and organizes the popular speaker series, Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture. Susan spends an inordinate amount of time gardening on Coggins Bend, just a couple of miles from the school. Daughter Rose, a professor at Auburn University and poet, attended Cowee Elementary School. Strengthening community and appreciating our heritage are important to Susan and she feels that Cowee School does an excellent job on these missions.

Carla Funk

Carla joined the Cowee Board in 2025. She is an art historian with teaching experience at Georgia State University, Emory University, and Eastern Florida State College. From 2009 to 2020, she was the Director and Chief Curator of University Museums at Florida Tech in Melbourne, Florida where she oversaw public programs, developed fine arts courses and workshops, and curated exhibits of modern and contemporary art, textile arts, and studio craft. Since relocating to North Carolina in 2021, Carla worked briefly as Director of Development at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands, and also held a temporary Assistant Curator position at the Asheville Art Museum. She enjoys travel, gardening, exploring the Nantahala Forest, cooking for friends and family, and learning about Appalachian culture and history.

George James

George was born in Chandler, Arizona and raised in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. George has a Master’s Degree in Education from Lamar University (Texas) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Western Carolina University. He is currently the Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Clayton, GA. George was a public school band director for 10 years and also was adjunct faculty at Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, TX) in their Music Department. He has also worked as an instrument repair technician, musician, and a truck driver. While George was student teaching at Franklin High School, he and the band director used to teach beginners at Cowee School. He has always enjoyed coming to Cowee School. George is an active musician who plays guitar and sings solo shows as well as being in two bands. He also enjoys riding motorcycles, and has ridden about 70,000 miles so far.

Brent Martin

Brent Martin is the Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy and the co-owner of Alarka Institute and Expeditions, a nature based ecotourism company in Cowee, North Carolina. He is also the author of George Masa's Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina; A Hikers Guide to the Bartram National Recreation Trail; and The Changing Blue Ridge Mountains: Essays on Journeys Past and Present. He lives in the Cowee Community of Macon County, NC.

Ashlyn Miller

Bio coming soon!

Kate McLean

A native of Franklin, NC, Kate McLean is a scientist and educator with deep roots in the Southern Appalachians. She holds a B.S. in Biology (minor in Mathematics) from Salem College and an M.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. Kate began her career studying regional ecosystems at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, later taught science at Franklin High School, and now works in clinical trial transparency. As a mother of two boys, she values nurturing youth, preserving Appalachian cultural heritage, and strengthening community through art, education, and connection. Kate loves fishing, flowers, and spending time outdoors with her family and friends, and she brings her regional ties and professional experience to support Cowee School’s mission.

Staff

Laura Brooks - Executive Director

Laura is a Macon County native. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Graphic Design from Western Carolina University and a Master’s degree in Community Planning from UNC Charlotte. After living in Charlotte for ten years, she and her husband returned to Franklin. Laura’s previous work experience includes photography, web design, marketing and fashion. Given her background, Laura was attracted to Cowee School by the mix of art, culture and community. She sees what a unique feature it is to the region and is passionate about nourishing creativity and community - making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Laura first served as director of the Cowee Pottery School, then as assistant director before becoming executive director of the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center in the fall of 2022. She and her family make their home in a walkable neighborhood close to downtown Franklin. Laura enjoys art, architecture, cooking and baking, as well as walking outdoors, in her free time.

Tracy Turner - Administrative Assistant