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Melissa Scheiderer | Executive Director

Melissa Scheiderer is the Executive Director of Chow Chow, the 501c(3) committed to the foodways of Southern Appalachia and the celebration of the creative economy that anchors Asheville. At the helm of Chow Chow, Melissa is focused on strengthening the local, independent food community and empowering economic development. She has long worked at the intersection of event production, impact finance, and entrepreneurship coming out of more than 20 years consulting with clients like Mountain BizWorks and Neighborhood Economics. Also a former food entrepreneur, Melissa started Barbary Brix, a sustainable confections business, in San Francisco.

Originally from the Bay Area, Asheville’s vibrant local food economy drew Melissa and her husband Mark here in 2016. 

Melissa continues to work with Mountain BizWorks as a business coach, helping social entrepreneurs scale their projects efficiently while maximizing both profitability and impact.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Anya Inochkina
Treasurer | Manager at Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC / Berdon Advisors LLC
Justin Thompson
Secretary | Marketing Automation / Royal Credit Union
Neomi Negron
Vice President | Owner of Buggy Pops
Rhea Lidowski
President | Owner of Lucky Miss Fortune

2023 board members

Anya Inochkina
Treasurer | Manager at Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC / Berdon Advisors LLC
Charlotte Stack
Sponsorship Chair | COO, Chai Pani Restaurant Group
Elizabeth Sims
Marketing Chair | Owner of Elizabeth Sims Consulting
Hector Revilla
Marketing Committee | Chef and Owner of Mamones Catered Experiences
Joel Mowrey
Sponsorship Committee | Owner at Smoking J's Fiery Foods
Justin Thompson
Secretary | Marketing Automation / Royal Credit Union
Lexie Harvey
Community Impact Chair | Founder of Cordial & Craft
Mariko Walker
Sponsorship Committee | Owner of Mountain Merch
Michelle Bailey
Marketing Committee | Executive Chef at Smoky Park Supper Club
Neomi Negron
Vice President | Owner of Buggy Pops
Rhea Lidowski
President | Owner of Lucky Miss Fortune
Roy Harris
Community Impact Committee | Self-proclaimed "Lion" of the South Slope
Steve Goff
Community Impact Committee | Executive Chef and Owner of Tastee Diner
Veronica Beltran
Sponsorship Committee | Director of F&B at Grand Bohemian Hotel

2019 founding board

Jane Anderson, Executive Director, Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (2018-2020)

Kevin Barnes, Owner, Ultimate Ice Cream (2018-2020)

Katie Button, Co-Founder, CEO, Katie Button Restaurants (2018-2021, President 2018-2020)

John Fleer, Chef, Owner, Rhubarb, The Rhu

Aaron Grier, Co-Owner, Gaining Ground Farm (2018-2020)

Charlie Hodge, Owner, Sovereign Remedies, Asheville Beauty Academy, The Getaway (2018-2020)

Meherwan Irani, Chef/CEO/Co-Founder, Chai Pani Restaurant Group & Spicewalla (2018-2020)

Connie Matisse (she/her), CEO and Co-Founder, East Fork (2018-2019)

Peter Pollay, Co-Founder, Executive Chef, Mandara Hospitality Group

Jessica Reiser, Co-Founder, CEO, Burial Beer Co., Forestry Camp Bar and Restaurant (2018-2021, President 2021)

Vanessa Salomo, Co-Owner, Business Development, Corner Kitchen, Chestnut

Elizabeth Sims, Owner, Elizabeth Sims Consulting

Jael Skeffington, Co-Founder, CEO, French Broad Chocolate

Dodie Stephens, Vice President-Marketing, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks (2018-2020)

Mike Tiano, Co-Owner, Haw River Wine Man (2019-2021)

Adrian Vassallo, DHG Wealth Advisors (2018-2020)

Marilyn Zapf, Assistant Director and Curator, Center for Craft (2019-2021)

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