Henderson County Republican Women's Club

Tara Burdette, President and Webmaster

*​Current Homeschool teacher

*Former PACS System Administrator in area Radiology Department(s), X-Ray Technologist and CT Technologist

*Former Assistant Director at Tallahassee Diagnostic Imaging

*Serves on Lincoln-Reagan Dinner Committee (2018, 2019, 2020)

*Serves on re-election campaign committees

*Outreach leader at The Rock Church Asheville

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Jennifer Balkcom, Vice President

*​Branch Manager, ALCOVA Mortgage

*Banking and Financial Industry since 1998

*Vision Henderson County Certificate, 2017

*Biltmore Beacon 40 under 40 Award, 2018

*Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina, Treasurer, 2017-2019

*Hendersonville Women’s Club, Vice President, present

*Henderson County Education Foundation Board Member, 2016-present

*AdventHealth Foundation Board Member, 2016-present

*Lions Club of Hendersonville, 2019-present

*Enjoys volunteering time at St. Gerard House and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville

*Attended Blue Ridge Community College, for Associates Degree in Business, Banking and Finance

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Ashley Lapp, Treasurer

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*Residential Broker with Beverly-Hanks in Hendersonville, NC

*Independent Beauty Guide with LimeLife by Alcone

*Extensive background in administration

*Married to high school sweetheart, John Lapp, and mother of 2

*Enjoys volunteering time at The Rock Church Asheville

*Previous campaign assistance experience

*Attended UNC-Greensboro and Arizona State University for Bachelors in Political Science.

Jennie McDonald, Recording Secretary

*District Attorney's Office of Prosecutorial District 29B - 1989-2015

*Served as office manager and staff supervisor for 5 county 29th Prosecutorial District until 2006.  After the district split she was responsible for office operations in the newly created 3 county Prosecutorial District 29B.

*Serves on two campaign committees

*Has served on the GOP Lincoln Reagan Dinner committee for 3 years

*Volunteered for 3 years at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office assisting the Staff Attorney and Evidence Custodian as well as organizing several employee events.

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Doris Hawkins, Immediate Past President (2016-2019)

*Elected to Fletcher Town Council in 1995
*Candidate for Henderson County Tax Collector in 1997
*Girl Scout VP for 10 years as my daughter earned her Gold Award
*Served on the Fletcher Planning Board
*Served on the Henderson County Planning Board
*Served on the Henderson County Mental Health Board
*Worked with the Advance Team welcoming President George Bush to Henderson County
*Working with then GOP Chair Kathy Willis on the first Apple Cobbler event at the NC Apple Festival (raised over $5,000.00) the first year and for many years after that.
*HCRWC Women’s Club President: 2016-2019.  Our Club Received the Diamond Award from the NCFRW 2016
*Women’s Club VP: Two Years
*HCRWC Membership Chair for two years
*Attended a NC Treasure Certification class at the Board of Elections
Doris is married to Henderson County Commissioner Grady Hawkins; they have 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

MEET OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMEN

Cher Silvius, Hospitality Chair (2020)

*Current Homeschool Educator 

*Former Radiologic Technologist at a Trauma Medical Center and Clinic

*Former Traveling Medical Assist and Rad Tech for NHANES III Study, Westat Inc

*Married for 27 years and mother of 4

*House flipper and rental property owner with my husband (side business)

*Former CCA Tournament Hospitality Room organizer and Homeschool Co-op teacher

*Volunteer in church ministries: from nursery care, leading small group bible studies for high school girls and ladies, crisis hotline worker, hospitality ministries, making meal ministries, shut-in visitation ministries, meals for the homeless ministries, pregnancy center ministries, book store/ library ministry, and VBS

*Served as a volunteer for an electoral campaign and as a poll observer

Joanie Dickson, Public Relations Chair (2020)

* Competed in multiple pageants as a teenager here in Hendersonville & greater NC; placed in numerous and won one. Junior Miss, Apple Queen, Hendersonville Carolina Princess, NC Miss TEEN

* Member of student organizations from primary school throughout educational studies and military career: FBLA, FHA, Choirs, Veterans Student Organization (which I started at WCU), and more. 

* USAF Disabled Veteran Honorably Discharged (1990-1995) (100% VA Rated)

* Speaking engagements during and the since the AF regarding military & other life experiences

* Book “Chameleon” is near the process of going to the editor 

* 2016 Participant in first all female trip with Heroes to Heroes to Israel 

* 2015 Master of Divinity in Missiology Graduate from Gardner-Webb University

* 2012 Inaugural Ms Veteran America Resilience Award Winner & Top 40 Finalist 

* 2007-2010 Worked at the CGVAMC (Medically resigned)

* 2004-2006 Lived in Costa Rica to improve Spanish, to English, and learn culture 

* 2004 Bachelor of Science Graduate in International Business from Western Carolina University 

* 1995 Graduated with Two Associates Degrees from ABCC:

      Business Administration 

      Marketing & Retailing 

* 1988 Graduated from King’s College in Charlotte, NC in Retail Merchandising 

* 1987 WHHS Graduate 

* Family heritage in WNC goes back to the 1800’s