Heart of Catawba Valley Leadership

Building on a century of lifesaving progress in cardiovascular disease and stroke, the American Heart Association has centered a new vision for its next 100 years: Advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

To achieve this vision by 2028, the American Heart Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach people where they are.

Every person means working with every community and that is why our Executive Leadership is so important. The Heart of Catawba Valley Campaign is a catalyst for this work.

2026 Heart of Catawba Valley Chair

Roger Young
President
David E. Looper & Company

2027 Incoming Chair

Dr. David Lowry
President and Chief Executive Officer
UNC Health Caldwell

2025 Immediate Past Chair

Dennis Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Catawba Valley Medical Center

Executive Leadership Team

Danette Brackett
VP & Chief External Affairs Officer
UNC Health Blue Ridge

Nichole Dailey
Senior Vice President, Business Dev.
First Citizens Bank, Hickory

Alex Deal
Wesley Hall Furniture

Marie Geissele
VP of Cardiovascular Services
Frye Regional Medical Center

Dr. Philip Greene
Chief Executive Officer
Frye Regional Medical Center

Guy Guarino
Chief Development Officer
Catawba Valley Medical Center

Andy Lawhon
Mike Johnson's Hickory Toyota

Kevin Parker
SVP & GM
Corning, Inc.

Gary Paxson
Chief Executive Officer
UNC Health Blue Ridge

Karlee Propes
Development Associate
David E. Looper & Company

Brian Riggins
Manager
Allegacy Federal Credit Union

Tom Taylor
Community Advocate

Amy Wood, PhD
Associate Vice Provost for Academics and Community Outreach
Appalachian State University - Hickory Campus