Governance

MR. JOHN DANCOFF
Chair

Lincoln County Commissioners (Term ends 2026)

A resident of Lincoln County and a Gaston College graduate, he is currently Existing Business Manager for the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA). John is actively involved in the community, serving as Chair of the Lincolnton Relay For Life and on the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse Board.

Born and raised in Statesville, NC, he is a graduate of NC State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He retired after careers in telecommunications, sales, and marketing.

JUDGE JESSE CALDWELL, III
Vice Chair

Governor (Term ends 2025)

A resident of Gastonia, Judge Jesse Caldwell, III, has a B.A. in Political Science and Government from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is a Juris Doctor of the University of North Carolina School of Law. Recently retired, he served in private practice as the Chief Public Defender, as Superior Court Judge since 1993, and as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Gaston County since 1995. Judge Caldwell is very involved with the community serving as a member on various committees. He has also taught classes at Gaston College, Gardner-Webb University, and was an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Charlotte School of Law.

MS. SHAWNYA GORE, M.D.
Secretary

Gaston County Board of Education (Term ends 2026)

A resident of Belmont, she received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Spelman College and her Medical Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She is very involved in many civic, business, and professional organizations. Currently and for the past 23 years, she works as a physician with CaroMont Internal Medicine.

MR. BILL CARSTARPHEN

Gaston County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2025)

A native of Gaston County and a McAdenville resident. Mr. Carstarphen earned a BA in Economics from Wofford College and is President and CEO of Pharr McAdenville Corporation. He is a long-time civic volunteer currently serving on several local and regional boards including the Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

MR. ALAN CLONINGER

Governor (Term ends 2026)

A lifelong resident of Gaston County, he received an AS degree from Gaston College, a BS degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in Criminal Justice, and a JD from Campbell University School of Law.

MR. JONATHAN FLETCHER

Gaston County Board of Education (Term ends 2025)

A resident of Gastonia, Jonathan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Software and Information Systems (and a minor in history) from UNC Charlotte. He currently works as an Assistant Register of Deeds to Gaston County Register Susan S. Lockridge. Jonathan also serves as the Technical Director at Northlake Assembly of God. He volunteers on the Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Advisory Board, the Gaston County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority, and other civic-minded organizations.

MR. STEVE HALL

Gaston County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Bessemer City and a Gaston College graduate, he also retired from Gaston College after a 22-year career in the facilities area. In 2007, he formed High Caliber Athletics Inc., a locally recognized non-profit to help kids in the community that wanted to be involved in sports. He worked with students from all walks of life to challenge them and maximize their talents and abilities.

MS. IRIS HOPPER

Governor (Term ends 2027)

A resident of Gaston County, she is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Business Management and a Minor in Theology. Currently, she is a Project Manager for Duke Energy, where she has 18 years of experience in Energy Operations. 

MS. RESA HOYLE

NC Senate (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Dallas and a Gaston College graduate, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lenoir-Rhyne College and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. Currently, she is a Beginning Teacher Support Coordinator for Gaston County Schools. She serves on the Leadership Gaston Advisory Board, various committees within St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and the North Gaston High School Athletic Booster Club.

MR. STEVE HUFFSTETLER

Gaston County Board of Education (Term ends 2027)

A resident of Gaston County, he is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a BA in Business Administration, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, where he received a certificate in Banking and Finance. He is currently employed with Alliance Bank and Trust of Gastonia as a Senior VP in Commercial Lending/Gaston County Market President. He also is a community activist serving on many local Boards and Committees.

MR. TOM KEIGHER

Gaston County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2026)

Born and raised in New Jersey, he received a BA from Belmont Abbey College, and currently is a partner with a local financial group. He serves as a member of the Gaston County Commissioners and on several local boards and civic groups, for example, the CaroMont Health/Gaston Memorial Hospital Board, the Economic Development Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Board.

MR. DAVID LEE

Lincoln County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2028)

A native of Lebanon Kentucky, he has resided in Denver, NC (Lincoln County) for the past 25 years. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering and retired from Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in 2021 after 33 years of service. He has been a long-time civic volunteer serving on several local boards including Lincoln Economic Development Association, Lincoln County Industrial Manager’s Association, Rotary Student Loan Fund of Lincoln County, and the Gaston College Foundation.

MS. JANIE PEAK

Gaston County Board of Commissioners (Term ends 2027)

Ms. Peak is a resident of Gaston County and a lifelong educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Secondary Education and a Masters of Arts degree in Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She also has a Masters of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She taught high school English in Gaston County Schools for 38 years and has served on numerous local professional and civic boards and committees.

MS. JULIE STROUPE

NC House (Term ends 2028)

A resident of Cherryville and a Gaston College graduate, she also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Gardner-Webb University. She has been with BB&T, now Truist Financial, since 1998, advancing through various positions and is now a Teammate Banking Specialist. She is an active member of Mount Beulah Baptist Church where she is the organist/pianist, a Sunday School teacher, and Churchwide Missions Educator. She is also active with the Cherryville Little Theater.

MS. AUTUMN QUEEN

Student Government Association (2024-2025)

A resident of Gastonia, she is a senior at the Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences High School and serves as the Gaston College Student Government Association President. She is passionate about the health and well-being of others and advocating for the needs of the Gaston College student body and the community. She plans to graduate from Gaston College with an Associate in Science degree in Biotechnology and transfer to a four-year university to study medicine toward her goal of becoming a doctor in the field of women’s health and neonatal medicine.