Director of Foundation and Grants, WestCare Health System for 9 years.

Education: BA in Education/Sociology

Family: Married, husband Arthur Ellick; daughter and son-in-law, Alena and Jim Veteto; grandson Ian, 4.

We Asked:
1: How did you become interested in your profession and what brought you to your current job?
2: What do you like most about your job?
3: What do you like least about your job?
4: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5: What is your favorite leisure time activity?
6: What is the last book you’ve read/movie you’ve seen/music you’ve heard that inspired you?
7: Tell us about a person or organization in Jackson County whose work you admire?
8: What keeps you living in Jackson County?
9: Where is your favorite place in Jackson County? 10: What is your hope for the future of Jackson County?

1: Since my earliest days in the workforce, I have always been attracted to helping people in need and raising money for medical causes. My work at WestCare enables me to combine the best of both worlds, fulfilling the vision of donors and helping to expand and improve the quality of health care services available to the residents of the community.

2: The opportunity to meet new people and engage them in philanthropic endeavors at WestCare; taking dreams to reality. I also enjoy working with the caring staff at WestCare, knowing that I am helping them to provide better and expanded medical care to those in need in our region.

3: One of the greatest frustrations facing any fundraiser is being turned down by foundations or other grant-making organizations that you are seeking assistance from. Sometimes despite our best efforts we are unable to convince donors to support projects that are near and dear to ourselves or our community. These occasional rejections are the worst part of being a fundraising professional.

4: The only way your dream can come true is if you continue to keep believing and working toward your goal.

5: My favorite leisure time activity is spending time with my four-year-old grandson Ian, taking him to museums, playgrounds, nature centers, and other play activities.

6: Books — God’s To Do List by Dr. Ron Wolfson; 103 Ways to be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth; The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall – One man’s journey in receiving a multimillion dollar estate gift. Movie – “The Pursuit of Happiness” – anything is attainable with perseverance.

7: I greatly admire the professionalism and leadership that has been shown by Ms. Phyllis Foxx over the past years in Jackson County. The accomplishments and leadership she has demonstrated in helping to revitalize downtown Sylva, the efforts she has extended in recognizing the young athletes of Jackson County, and her accomplishments in operating and growing a business in a rural economy should serve as an inspiration to all young women considering working and being a vital part of a community.

8: The beauty of the mountains, the kindness and warmth of its citizens, and the pride I take in helping to improve the quality of health and human services in our community makes living in Jackson County a wonderful experience.

9: Driving down North River Road and watching the sun light reflect off the waters of the beautiful Tuckasegee River.

10: I look forward to watching Jackson County continue to grow and mature into a community with a wealth of diverse economic opportunities that can provide meaningful employment opportunities for our residents and support new restaurants and business that help to create a vibrant and dynamic lasting economic and educational foundation for our region.