Arts & Entertainment
June Bayless: Matthews Playhouse brought more plays to the stage.
Terry Darkman & Jon Ronzka: Pals competed on “Ink Master: Angels.”
Derek James: WCCB anchor hosted regional charity benefits.
Lindsey Schroeder: Opened a studio & was lead in community theater.
Kathleen Shelby Boyett: Author planned events for forgotten veterans.
Sheryl Smith: Planned 35th Mint Hill Madness festival with epic fireworks.
Barbara Taylor: Museum director researching TankTown for an exhibit.
Business
Kelly Barnhardt: Chamber head honored at ATHENA Leadership awards.
Will Bigham: Brought Pizza Peel concept to downtown Matthews.
Katherine DePrater: Heartbreak pushed exec to open Gift Workshop.
Alain Lillie: Sought lease for proposed baseball field that voters rejected.
Joy Greear: Hospital exec opened Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center.
Matt Labuskes: Former teacher opened a Famous Toastery franchise.
Alistair Williams: His Portrait Gallery is a true work of culinary arts.
Josh Carl & Jake Reynolds: Barking Duck Brewing closed taproom.
Courtney Buckley: Expanded Your Mom’s Donuts across the region.
Bob Sasser: Announced Family Dollar was moving from Matthews HQ.
Paige McKinney: McKinney added programs at Mint Hill Chamber.
Roland Bibeau: Novant Health Matthews exec continued partnerships.
Education
John LeGrand: Principal lauded for inspiring Butler Strong attitude.
Mary McCray: Chaired school board that issued an ultimatum to towns.
Sean Strain: Sought compromise on charter school divide with towns
Clayton Wilcox: CMS superintendent responded to a fatal school shooting.
Kevin Woods: Woods became principal of Crown Point Elementary.
Tracey Harrill: Providence High leader among CMS top principals.
Faith/Nonprofits
Daniela Angelon: Delivered 30,000 lbs. of pet food after a hurricane.
Jean Bonner: Before passing, ensured police & fire were fed over holidays.
Amy Carr: Continued educating the community on needs to health care access.
Amy Cervantes: Passed reins of Bright Blessings after 13 years.
Laura Clark: Promoted to CEO of United Way of Central Carolina.
Sandra Conway: Her Matthews HELP Center serves less fortunate.
Nate Huggins: Celebrated 20 years of Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care.
Amy Jacobs: Took over the reins of SHARE Charlotte.
Jim Kallam & Chris Payne: Pastors began merging churches into one.
Paula Lester: Spoke against plans to locate a brewery next to Reid House.
Ben Pinegar: His Brace Family YMCA completed a $1.75M renovation.
Kim Rhodarmer: Chamber honored Servant’s Heart founder for leadership.
Natisha Rivera-Patrick: Her Habitat chapter broke ground on new homes.
Sue Sproat: Her COSKids unveiled a new logo & hosted beer fundraiser.
Carol Timblin: Tried to save Bain School, but voters said no to bond.
Larry Whitley & Chuck Wilson – Pastors sought to bridge racial divides.
Tina Whitley: Realtor won the Nancy Glenn Community Service Award.
Clark Pennington/MMHW file photo
Government
Hazen Blodgett: Will have $22.2M general fund budget for 2018-19.
Scott Cole: NCDOT engineer worked with towns over East John superstreet.
Dena Diorio: Built $1.7 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year.
Steve Frey: His Mint Hill public works team stayed busy amid storms.
Rachel Hunt: Democrat ousted four-term leader from N.C. House seat.
Kathi Ingrish: Longtime planning director riding off into retirement.
Ken Joyner: Tax assessor restored confidence over reval process.
Corey King: Rec leader broke ground on the 11th park in Matthews.
Rob Kinniburgh: Matthews fire chief sought more firefighters in the budget.
Garry McFadden: Sheriff ended voluntary 287(g) agreement with ICE.
Clark Pennington: Took oath as Matthews police chief & held town halls.
Brian Welch: Chiseled Mint Hill budget request to $13.5 million.
Kerr Putney: CMPD chief advised CMS on safety post-shooting.
Tim Ledford: Ledford’s officers conducted active shooter training.
Joe Penner: Penner’s Medic opened a $48M headquarters in Charlotte.
Charles Buckley: Matthews attorney filled in for Waxhaw over summer.
Warren Cooksey: Spread the gospel of express lane projects throughout the region.
Politics
Alma Adams: Congresswoman was re-elected to third full term.
Dan Bishop: N.C. senator withstood a Blue Wave to get re-elected.
Bill Brawley: His state bill allows the town to open & operate charter schools.
Pat Cotham: Earned most votes among county commission candidates.
Carl Ellington: Returned to Mint Hill politics to fill a council vacancy.
John Higdon: Mayor pro tem advocated against House Bill 514.
Bill James: No farewell tour despite 22 years as county commissioner.
Susan Rodriguez McDowell: Unseated 11-term Bill James in the election.
Tina Ross: Passed away while serving as Mint Hill commissioner.
Robert Pittenger: Congressman sought better weather radar & I-74.
Ella Scarborough: Chaired county commissioners for much of 2018.
Sports
Christopher Alexander: Rocky River stud ranked nationally in the triple jump.
Jaire Alexander: Rocky River alum had 50+ tackles as NFL rookie.
Janelle Bailey: Providence Day hoops alum was ACC Freshman of the Year.
Kaitlyn Coleman & TJ Cusick: Pair was Butler’s best lacrosse players.
Preston Davis: Won state hoops titles for Indy as player & coach.
Riley Ferguson & Peter Kalambayi: Butler alums were at NFL Combine.
Dillon Gooch: Ended tennis career at Carmel Christian with three state titles.
Brian Hales: Kept Butler football focused over 27 days without a game.
Jorge Herrera: Became the Charlotte Independence franchise leader in goals.
Mike Jeffries: Charlotte Independence coach promoted to GM.
Katie Mangini: Mangini was MMHW’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
Jenna McCauley: Softball star left Queens Grant for Providence & excelled.
Jim McPhilliamy: Agreed for pro soccer team to play at Memorial Stadium.
Mike Natoli: His Indy football team entered season mourning QB’s death.
Jirah Sidberry: Won indoor long & triple jump titles at Rocky River.
Jilen Siroky: Providence alum added to NC Swimming Hall of Fame.
Other
Quincy Collins: Former POW was grand marshal at Mint Hill Madness.
Jatwan Cuffie: Arrested on charges of fatally shooting Butler classmate.
Meghan Glova: Providence alum rode Harley-Davidsons as an intern.
Luke King: Luke was the first baby born in the Charlotte region in 2018.
Bobby McKeithen: Lost his life during a scuffle at Butler High on Oct. 29.
Lee Anne Moore: Announced Matthews Alive raised $144,062 for charity.
Kristan Seaford: Triple amputee inspires audiences at engagements.
Mark Tofano: Nearly crippled plan to add subdivision on South Trade Street.
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