• Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Indian Trail Weekly
  • Weekly Waxhaw
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • E-Edition
  • CMG
    • Matthews-Mint Hill
    • South Charlotte
  • Become a CMG Insider
You are here: Home / CoverFeature / Union County Weekly’s 100 Biggest Newsmakers of 2019

Union County Weekly’s 100 Biggest Newsmakers of 2019

December 27, 2019 by CarolinaWeekly

Leon and Olya Banchik cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Reafield Dental. Waxhaw Mayor Stephan Maher (far left) was among those visiting. Dante Miller/UCW photo

Business
Leon & Olya Banchik: Dentists won chamber’s Community Impact Award.
John Hendley: Earned lifetime achievement Award from the chamber.
Mike Henn: Celebrated 20 years of Henn Automotive in Waxhaw.
Deana Hicks: Mom created a subscription box service One Girl Inspired.
Mackenzie Moser: Pitched a live-work-play project in Indian Trail.
Chris Plate: Convinced Union County to develop first industrial park. 

Education
Camela Bell: Monroe Charter Academy hired her as its founding principal.
Rhett Brown: Wingate pres made higher education more accessible.
Kate Earp: Principal celebrated 10 years of Poplin Elementary in 2018-19.
Angela Foster: UCPS’s top assistant principal works at East Union Middle.
Jonathan Harbin: Monroe High staffer won UCPS Teacher of the Year.
Andrew Houlihan: Superintendent inked contract extension through 2023.
Lynn Kroeger: Business journal tapped her CFO of the Year.
Reed Parlier: CATA grad was killed in UNC Charlotte shooting.
Maria Pharr: Established student gateway from SPCC to Wingate.
Barry Ross: Ross prepared Apprenticeship Academy for opening.
Ben Tewolde: Weddington High staffer won Beginning Teacher of Year.
Terry Vaughn: Vaughn, of Kensington, was among several new principals.
Sharyn VonCannon: UCPS named her its top principal.
Ann Walters: Headmaster left Union Academy after contract expired.
Kristi Williford: Under her, Western Union Elementary became global-ready.
Kelsey Zoda: Served as campus administrator for new Thales Academy.
Yubley Zolke: Top teacher joined Waxhaw Elementary as principal.

Faith/Nonprofits
Keith Adams: He championed literacy when Literacy Council closed.
Kathy Bragg: Her shelter hired first development director & held outreach.
Bill Deter: Ex-mayor took over as president of Weddington Optimist Club
Andrew Friend: His Council on Aging formed chorus to reignite memories.
Steven Furtick: His podcast nominated in iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.
Nathel Hailey Sr.: The NAACP president earned Citizen of the Year award.
Larry Helms: Served as grand marshal of Indian Trail Christmas parade.
Gladys Kerr: Received key to Waxhaw for her service & history-keeping.
George Massey: Former EMT earned Man of the Year for contributions.
Mary Ann Maxon: Grew Weddington Optimist Club’s brand & membership.
Denise Milliken: Realtor & shelter volunteer won Woman of the Year.
Steve Smith Sr.: NFL legend spoke about experience with mental illness
Shannon Tucker: Opened Charlotte Speech & Hearing Center in Monroe.

Government
Chase Coble: The 43-year-old sheriff’s captain died unexpectedly Oct. 11.
Greg Ferguson: Left Waxhaw town manager gig after two years.
Nathan Hunt Gwyn Jr.: Presides over Superior Court District 20B.
Bjorn Hansen: County’s road guru helped towns upgrade intersections.
Dennis Joyner: His public health division joined investigation of e-cigs.
Ashley Lantz: Sought to improve child support enforcement.
Minor Plyler: Stallings Police chief retired after 35 years in public safety.
Erskine Smith: Filling in as interim town manager of Waxhaw.
Mark Watson: First-year county manager restructured processes & staff.

Politics
Todd Barber: He’s the only fresh face to join the Indian Trail council.
Daniel Barry: Presided over new Hornet’s Nest Republican Men’s Club.
Dan Bishop: With the White House’s support, he won U.S. House seat.
David Cohn: Passionate Indian Trail councilman left the dais.
Catherine DeFinis: Filled vacant seat on Waxhaw town board.
Wyatt Dunn: Mayor supported LYNX Silver Line extension to Stallings.
Freddie Gordon: Revived political career with Monroe council seat.
Heather Grooms: Defeated an incumbent to join Stallings council.
Gary Hamill: Wingate’s ace soccer coach became town’s mayor.
Craig Horn: N.C. House rep is running for state superintendent.\
Brad Horvath: Wesley Chapel mayor pressed county on rezoning decisions.
Angelia James: Fresh face edged out veterans for Monroe council seat.
Lynn Keziah: Keziah’s political resume in Monroe dates back decades.
Bobby Kilgore: Monroe mayor joins League of Municipalities board.
Pedro Morey: Retired policeman sought structure on Waxhaw council.
Ron Pappas: Succeeded Steve Maher as Waxhaw mayor.
Joe Pollino: Won Marvin mayor via write-in votes for second time.
Anne Pruitt: Joined Weddington council off respect of mayor & public.
Deborah Romanow: Left Stallings Town Council early.
Stony Rushing: County commish was second in U.S. House primary.
Anne Simpson: Became Waxhaw commissioner on second attempt.
Jan Smith: Defeated Wesley Chapel mayor Brad Horvath in election.
David Willis: Wants to replace Craig Horn in the N.C. House.

Sports
Gabriella Castro: Senior led Cuthbertson to a state title in cross country.
Kyle Durham: 800-meter star was NC Boys Track & Field Athlete of Year.
Kayla Hamblin: Parkwood sophomore won second state swimming title.
Cade Haynes: CATA wrestler earned state title & school wins record.
Vic Johnson: Won national coach of year & second state title with UA.
Kyle Montaperto: CATA wrestler ended 2018-19 at 48-1 & state title.
Amber Parker: Parkwood softball star won first wrestling state title.
R-Truth: Won WWE 24/7 title 25 times this year, as well as the U.S. title.
James Shipley: All-American led Weddington to a three-peat in lacrosse.
Will Shipley: Junior running back led Weddington to undefeated season.
Rick Spencer: Coached XC, indoor & outdoor track titles in 2018-19.
Alexis Sudjianto: Lit up summer golf circuit after graduating high school.
Jack Wilton: NCHSAA  gave him the Heart of a Champion Award.

Other
Steve Bowers: Updated Waxhaw on opening YMCA  branch by 2022.
Scott Brooks: Owner of Brooks Sandwich Shop killed in shooting.
Joshua Lee Burgess: Dad, 32, arrested on charges of murdering daughter.
Lucero Capote: Two were arrested on charges of murdering mother of five.
Micah Fagala: Started club at Piedmont High School to help teens cope.
Anthony Hamilton: Wowed with National Anthem at NBA All Star Game.
Pete & Sherri Kimbell: Couple sought to expand holiday light experience.
Landon Knestrick: Pangolin fan secured Pearl Harbor relic.
Michael O’Neill: Inspired community with poem, “Autism is a Miracle.”
Sayo Oni: Took New York trip after Best Actor win at Blumeys.
Hailey Pendleton: Her values allowed her to hang with a PGA Tour pro.
Sarah Porter: 11-year-old raised $24,000 selling ornaments for charity.
Gene Stowe: His book, “Inherit the Land” will become a documentary.
Ryan & Ashley Tobin: They appeared on Lifetime’s “Designing Spaces.”
Alexia Vega: Spelled way to first in UCPS bee & third in regional bee.
Alden John Whitehead: Father, 30, arrested on murder charges of son.

Did you like this? Share it:
Tweet

Filed Under: CoverFeature, News

Search this site

Issuu

SBPOY

Goods

Klaar

McElvy Media © 2021