First Contact Ministries Announces New Board Member
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: October 30, 2019
Contact: Bonnie Edge Phone: 828-435-2180
Email: Bonnie.Edge@firstcontactwnc.org
Web: www.FirstContactWNC.org
First Contact Ministries, Inc announces the appointment of one new board member.
The staff and current board of First Contact Ministries are happy to welcome new board member Graham Fields.
First Contact Ministries is working hard to extend its reach and include engaging new community leaders to promote and support positive changes for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
Graham Fields, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, attended the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with highest
honors and distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass
Communication. His honors thesis, “Oak Trees Among Bushes: A Study of
Appalachian Stereotypes in the Beverly Hillbillies,” reflects his
passion for the people of Western North Carolina. He lives in Fletcher
and is married to Leslie Fields, a native of North Wilkesboro, who is an
educator with Henderson County Public Schools.
Fields began his career with the Baptist State Convention of North
Carolina. He worked with a variety of advertising and public relations
agencies including EB Wall & Associates, Bill Kamp Creative and Holland
& Holland.
In 2003, US Senator Elizabeth Dole appointed him as her Western State
Director, serving approximately 1 million constituents in North
Carolina’s 33 western counties. The federal position was responsible
for legislative policy, constituent services and managing relationships
with the region’s elected officials, federal agencies, state
departments, local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and
community groups.
In 2009, Fields accepted a position with Park Ridge Health (now
AdventHealth) serving in Administration as Assistant to the President.
Focused on community outreach, business development and strategic
planning, his role is to represent AdventHealth and engage numerous
constituencies throughout the region to better understand and serve the
area’s unique health care needs.
He is active in the community and serves on numerous area boards and
committees including: Board Member and Former Chair, Henderson County
Partnership for Health, Board Member, Henderson County Chamber of
Commerce, Chair, Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Workforce
Development Division, Former President, Henderson County Education
Foundation, Board Member, Henderson County Board of Public Health, Board
Member, Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Board Member, Open
Arms Pregnancy Center, Former Board Member, United Way of Henderson
County, Board Member, Fletcher Fire and Rescue and Asheville Area
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Circle Advisory Board Member.
He and his wife are members of Biltmore Baptist Church and enjoy
traveling, hiking and music. Fields plays the mandolin, collects
southern folk art and has completed large sections of the Appalachian
Trail. They have a son named Alexander who is eight and has been to 50
states and 52 national parks.
The new member joins a seven member board that oversees First Contact Ministries’ finances and strategic planning.
