
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.

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

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