Board of Directors

The Vaya Health Board of Directors is responsible for the comprehensive, collaborative planning and budgeting of publicly-funded, community-based mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use services for the members and recipients Vaya serves. The Board appoints Vaya’s Area Director/CEO, oversees compliance, approves the annual budget, and makes sure that Vaya manages services in a way that best meets the diverse needs of our communities.

Vaya’s governing Board is appointed under an alternative board structure approved by the NCDHHS Secretary on October 27, 2021, per N.C.G.S. §122C-118.1(a). Vaya complies with all applicable provisions of Chapter 122C regarding the composition, meeting schedule, training, compensation, maintenance, and support of the Governing Board.

Agendas for each Board meeting are posted to this webpage in advance of the meeting. Minutes are posted within five business days following their approval by the applicable Board/ committee. Board handouts, including the agenda and minutes, are always available upon written request to board.clerk@vayahealth.com.

We welcome public comment at the beginning of each meeting. To request notices of special or emergency meetings or any changes to the regular meeting schedule, please contact board.clerk@vayahealth.com.


Unless otherwise indicated on the meeting agenda, all Board meetings are held at the Vaya Health administrative offices, located at 200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 218, Asheville, NC 28806, and the meeting schedule is as follows:

  • Executive Committee 1:30 p.m.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Quality Committee 3:00 p.m.
  • Finance Committee 3:00 p.m.
  • Full Board 4:30 p.m.


PUBLIC ACCESS for all Board meetings is currently available via electronic communication only (real-time two-way audio and/or visual communication, i.e., telephone or Microsoft Teams). Please see agendas linked below for connection information to access each meeting.

Nancy Baker, CFAC Representative
Ronnie Beale,  At-Large Representative (Chair)
Patrick Betancourt, Advisory Director
Dan Brummitt, Vance County Commissioner (Vice Chair)
Ira Dove, Haywood County Health and Human Services Director
Billy Kennedy, At-Large Representative
Ricky Graves, CFAC Representative
Bill Lapsley, Henderson County Commissioner
Page Lemel, DHHS Secretary Appointment
Pat McGinnis, CFAC Representative
Mike Norris, Insurance Expertise
Carson Ojamaa, President, Vaya Health Provider Advisory Council
Connie Orr, Graham County Commissioner
John Paisley, Alamance County Commissioner
Brandon Pittman, Mitchell County Commissioner
Donnie Potter, Caldwell County Commissioner
Mark Richardson, Rockingham County Commissioner
Dakisha “DK” Wesley,  Assistant Buncombe County Manager
Mary Ann Widenhouse, CFAC Representative
Gwynneth Wildcatt, Advisory Director
Ashley Wooten, McDowell County Manager

View 2023 Board Meeting Schedule and Documents

2024 Board Meeting Schedule

January 25-26, 2024 – Board Retreat

March 28, 2024

May 23, 2024 – FY24-25 Budget Review

June 27, 2024 – FY24-25 Budget Public Hearing

August 22, 2024

October 24, 2024

December 12, 2024