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You are here: Home / CoverFeature / Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly’s 100 Biggest Newsmakers of 2018

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly’s 100 Biggest Newsmakers of 2018

December 28, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

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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