Board of Directors
Ethan Gilley-President
Ethan Gilley works as a Certified Financial Planner with Edward Jones Investments. He was born and raised in Lenoir, attending Hibriten High School and Appalachian State University. He is extremely passionate about giving back to his community and does so by serving on the board of directors for the Caldwell Senior Center and as club President for The Rotary Club of Lenoir. Most of his free time is spent with family and friends, and he is also a 10-year member of the National Physique Committee as a drug free promoter and competitive athlete. He loves anything to do with cars and motorcycles, and he practices freestyle Karate and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Hickory Academy of Martial Arts. Before coming onto our board, he supported the Wig Bank for a number of years. Like many, he has also had family members and friends battle with cancer. He was both honored and humbled to be asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the Wig Bank, and has taken on the role as our vice-president. He is excited to partner with the many talented people of the Wig Bank Board to truly make a difference in people's lives, in our community, and the world.
Sierra Caudle-Vice President
Sierra Caudle was born and raised in Caldwell County. She is a proud graduate of Appalachian State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Currently, she works at Catawba Valley Medical Center. In addition to her work, she serves as the President of the Catawba Cares Board where hospital employees raise money and award grants to internal departments to help pay for patient care equipment and services that may not get budgeted for otherwise. Along with that, she also serves as a board member for All God’s Children Foster Home here in Caldwell County. She and her husband, Bobby, live in Lenoir and love to hike and travel. During her high school career, she was introduced to the Wig Bank during an internship with the McCreary Cancer Center. She quickly saw the positive impact the Wig Bank has on the patients- whether it was providing a snack after their treatment, finding a perfect wig that made them feel like a million bucks, or a friendly face to sit with them during their hours of chemo, she knew this organization was something special.
Kelly Merck- Secretary
Kelly and her family moved to Lenoir ten years ago from Lincoln County, NC. She was looking to volunteer somewhere and a new friend, who was also a Wig Bank Board Member, suggested the Wig Bank and she jumped right in! Kelly has served on the Wig Bank Board for several years and served as the Wig Bank Treasurer during that time. Currently, she serves as a volunteer at the Wig Bank assisting clients with wig selection and other volunteer duties at the house. She has chaired the Red Dress event several years and has also worked on the fall fundraiser events. Her motivation to serve in the above capacities comes from her concern for cancer patients. This concern for their care grew more when she cared for her mother as her mother was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the throat and lung. This was a 2.5 year journey through the “patient cancer care system.” During this journey she saw patients supported greatly in many areas of their care but also neglected in others. Her hope by serving at The Wig Bank is that no cancer patient will be forgotten or neglected.
Angela Crane- Treasurer
Angela Crane is a Caldwell County native. She has been married to her husband Joey for 21 years and they have a daughter, Amelia. She is the Banking Center Manager at First Horizon in Whitnel and she has been in banking for 23 years. This makes her a perfect choice to begin her service on our board as our new treasurer. In her spare time she enjoys riding mountain bikes with friends and family. Last year, her nephew was diagnosed with cancer. It was a scary, uncertain time for their family. The Wig Bank was there to lend support during that time and she wants to be a part of the Wig Bank to be able to give back and help other families in our community.
Jared Wright- Board Member
Jared is happily married to Mrs.Courtney Wright, and they have one daughter, Madelyn, that is a student at Duke University. As a family, they share the loves of being outdoors, being physically active, spending hours on the beach, and friendly competitions of cornhole or jeopardy. Jared works for the City of Lenoir, in the Administration Department, as the Director of Special Projects and Grants. He attended West Caldwell High School, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, and North Carolina State University. Jared and his wife made the decision long ago to live and work where they grew up, raise their family here, and contribute to the continued success of Lenoir through careers in public service and opportunities for civic engagement. Like so many others, they have been impacted by Cancer diagnoses. He has lost three grandparents to cancer, and the list of family and friends battling, recovering from, or coping with a cancer diagnosis continues to grow daily. Whether through direct involvement with advocacy and awareness, fund-raising, or simple gestures like offering words of encouragement to those affected, Jared is passionate about being on the Board of Directors.
Crystal Swanson-Board Member
Crystal Swanson has been married to Heath Swanson for 29 years, and they have two adult daughters, Brittany and Indee. They also have one amazing granddaughter, Harper! Crystal has recently retired from teaching after 32 years. She has also started a small pottery business that gives her an opportunity to be creative. She attends and volunteers at Waterlife Church and enjoys playing pickleball! A volunteer shared with Crystal that she volunteered at the Wig Bank and that it had been SUCH a blessing in her life and Crystal wanted to be a part of making a difference. Crystal thinks her prayers were answered loud and clear when she became a board member and volunteer. She has a service-oriented heart and loves being a part of the wonderful things happening at the Wig Bank.
Jennifer Dineen-Board Member
Dr. Jennifer Dineen currently serves as the principal at Gamewell Middle School. She has a doctorate of education degree with her experience being in both special education and educational leadership, totaling over 21 years in education. She and her husband Michael have 3 children: Mattie, Lilly Grace, and Cal. They moved to Lenoir in 2014 from Conyers, Georgia. The Wig Bank is important to Jennifer because her mother is a 30+ year breast cancer survivor and she witnessed how cancer affects a family. She loves what the Wig Bank stands for and how it helps people in our community and beyond when faced with this terrible disease.
Becky Gibbons-Board Member
Lenoir has always been home for Becky Gibbons and she has been married to her husband Joe for 47 years. They have one lovely daughter, one fine son-in-law and two wonderful grandchildren. Also, they had a fabulous son Joseph who passed away from a heart/lung condition. She graduated from Lenoir High School and then attended the University of Georgia. She taught at Valmead School, East Harper School, and Davenport School, totaling 35 years in the school system. In 2010, she retired from teaching and began a new career of volunteering in many areas of the community. She currently serves on the boards of the Wig Bank of Caldwell County, Communities in Schools, Caldwell County Shelter Home, Helping Hands Clinic and Robin’s Nest Child Advocacy Center. She also loves volunteering with the Main Street volunteers, Lenoir Service League, Freedman Cultural Center and The Campus at Historic LHS. In order to try to assist our non-profits and others with grant funding, she serves as a member of the North Carolina Community Foundation Board and the Unifour Foundation of Catawba Valley Board. When asked about the significance of serving on our board, this was her response: “The Wig Bank is extra special to me because my mom died of leukemia when I was three years old and sadly I don’t remember her. When people are going through the journey with cancer their whole life becomes hard. It is so wonderful that we have this outstanding facility right here in our own community to assist these people in so many ways. Whether it be getting your head shaved, having a wig fitted, learning makeup tips when your skin has changed, receiving gas and food cards because money is tight, having someone sit and listen to your story because you need to talk or whatever the reason… The Wig Bank is there!”
Kelly Pritchard-Board Member
Kelly was part of The Wig Bank right after it was founded. In 2006, Kelly was named Wig Bank President. She served on the board for many years after that in multiple roles. Kelly was on the board when we acquired the building that The Wig Bank is currently in. Kelly is the prior owner of Foothills Temporary Employment which was the first and only local female staffing firm in the area. After 30 years of dedicated service to her company, Kelly has 'semi-retired' to spend more time with her grandchild- who she thinks is the best thing in the world! Kelly says: "I continue to see The Wig Bank grow with love, hard work, faith, and dedication and I love to be a part of what makes Caldwell County a better place to live."
Tanner Greer-Board Member
Tanner Greer enjoys his work in IT for Blue Ridge Energy, serving as their Chief Technology Officer. He and his wife, Lauren, have one daughter, Mila. Being on this board is a way for him to give back to the local community through an organization that truly cares about helping others when they are going through the most difficult times. His mother-in-law went through cancer and is an inspiration to him in being a part of this organization.
Gwin Laws-Board Member
Gwin is married to her husband, Randy and they live in the Cedar Rock Community. Gwin has one son, Zak who lives in Raleigh, NC. Gwin was a Social Worker for the Caldwell County School System for 30 years retiring as Lead Social Worker for the County. Gwin serves on other local boards and she is a very conscientious board member. She is not afraid of big projects and she engages in all activity of the board. She is the type of person that will give it her all if she is a part of something. Gwin is also a dedicated volunteer at the Wig Bank in addition to being a Cancer Survivor!
Leslie Farris-Board Member
For Leslie, the Wig Bank holds a special place in her heart because several years ago her mother received 2 wigs as she was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. Her family continues to be so grateful. Thankfully, her mother was healed and is healthy today! Leslie has lived in Caldwell County all of her 48 years. She raised 2 sons in the County and now has a granddaughter here to enjoy. Her profession is Education and Workforce Development. Leslie's 21 years in this field include teaching Business at the middle and high school levels and teaching Human Resources Development and the community college (CVCC). In addition, she recently worked for our Local Workforce Development Board. She is currently working with Caldwell County Schools as the Curriculum and Instructional Management Coordinator for CTE (Career & Technical Education).
Hunter Soots-Board Member
Hunter Soots currently serves as the Director of Bands at Hibriten High School and is the pianist at College Avenue Baptist Church in Lenoir. Hunter is a native of Caldwell County and is a graduate of West Caldwell High School and Appalachian State University. Being on the Board of Directors for the Wig Bank allows him to serve our community in a larger capacity and make the experience of our clients as great as it can be. He is honored and humbled to be a board member for such an amazing organization.
Jamie Clark Stewart-Board Member
Jamie Clark Stewart has lived in Lenoir her entire life, graduating from Hibriten High School and Lenoir Rhyne College. Together with her husband, Steven, they own Stewart & Associates Insurance where she is now employed after teaching at South Caldwell High School for 16 years. They have two wild boys, Ty and Andy. She is honored to be serving on the board for the Wig Bank because she has seen the positive effect it has when someone loses their hair due to cancer treatments. If you look good, you feel good and that is what happens for the clients we serve! The Wig Bank helps the people of our community and surrounding areas in immeasurable ways and she is thrilled to be a part of it.
Wanda Ellis-Board Member
Wanda's roles are wife, mother, Bonus Mom, GiGi, daughter, sister, full-time employee, Outreach worker, advocate, teacher, and perpetual learner. Each role is an important one. She is the Administrator for all Outreach Programs at West Caldwell Health Council and WestLife Wellness, a federally qualified community health center. She leads special programs for indigent and low-income patient households, such as Sliding Scale Discount Program, Transitional Outreach Services for the Homeless, Discount Dental Voucher Program, etc. She has served in various capacities on the Board of Directors for the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors including past-president, West Point Parent Club of North Carolina, and Foothills Performing Arts. Wanda has also led Caldwell County School's Backpack School Program. She is married to Bryan Ellis and she enjoys feeding people, painting, restoring old things, and traveling.
Becky Linn-Board Member
Becky Linn is originally from Caldwell County, but also lived in Tennessee for nineteen years before returning home to the foothills of North Carolina. She got involved with the Wig Bank initially by sewing port pillows for cancer patients. Then she began to volunteer with us, and now she is serving as our secretary, an important role on our Board of Directors. She is honored to be on our board and be part of helping our cancer clients. She says that she is blessed each time she gets the privilege to help them choose their new look.
Rebecca Dellinger- Board Member
Rebecca is married to Dustin Dellinger and she is the Finance Director for Robin’s Nest Children’s Advocacy Center. Rebecca is a volunteer at the Wig Bank and absolutely loves it. She is the hardest worker. She has joined the Main Street volunteer group and volunteers at every event that the City has. She is definitely a worker bee and always is the first to jump in and help a cause.
Crystal Scruggs Dula- Ex Officio Board Member
Crystal Scruggs Dula has been on the Wig Bank Board for 18.5 years as an ex-officio member representing the McCreary Cancer Center. She is an Oncology Nurse Navigator at McCreary Cancer Center. She was born and raised in Caldwell County and has been married to Randell Dula for 31 years. They have one biological child, Chloee Dula, and three other children they helped raise, Tiffany, Tyler and Cheyenne. She and her family love to be outside in nature with each other and their dogs! Helping the community she grew up in and serving patients that she loves dearly are the best parts of her job and service with the Wig Bank.
Alicia Stanislaw- Ex Officio Board Member
While serving as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Alicia Stanislaw became the Co-Founder of our Wig Bank of Caldwell County. She has been honored to have served on the Board of Directors for the past 23 years. Alicia is the Service Line Director of Psychiatry, Women & Children at Caldwell UNC Health Care – spearheading development of the new inpatient psychiatric hospitalization program and the outpatient psychiatric clinic. Prior to that, she was a School Nurse at West Caldwell High School and part of The Child Family Support Team initiative from 2005 – 2017. She dearly loves her two daughters, Phoebe and Gwyneth. Her favorite pastimes include spending quality time with family and friends, being an outdoor enthusiast, hiking, rollerblading, scrapbooking and traveling – anywhere!