There are people who step into leadership because the timing is right, the opportunity presents itself, and they feel reasonably prepared for what lies ahead. And then there are those who find themselves called to lead when the circumstances are anything but ordinary, when the path forward is uncertain, emotions are running high, and what everyone needs most is someone who can remain calm enough to help the rest of us figure out what comes next.

Ashton Harris was that kind of leader for the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.

In 2023, Ashton was serving as President-Elect of our Board of Directors when we lost Thomas Taulbee, our Executive Director and a dear friend to so many throughout the community. Thomas passed away on November 26, just six days before the Cashiers Christmas Parade, an event he loved and one our community was determined to carry forward in his memory.

Those were difficult days for many of us. My own mother was in hospice care in Asheville, and I remember returning to Cashiers to help ensure the parade went forward as planned, then returning to my family before losing her on December 8. Grief has a way of making ordinary responsibilities feel extraordinary, and yet the work of a community doesn't simply stop because hearts are heavy.

Ashton understood that, perhaps better than most. He knew what was happening behind the scenes, both within the Chamber and in my own life, and he offered the kind of support that doesn't draw attention to itself but makes an enormous difference to the person receiving it.

There was no instruction manual for what came next, but fortunately, there was Ashton.

He stepped into the presidency with grace and a calmness that I have come to appreciate as one of his greatest strengths. I suspect his years as General Manager of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley have given him plenty of practice navigating personalities, competing priorities, and the occasional situation that requires a deep breath and a carefully measured response. Whatever the source, Ashton has a way of bringing perspective to a conversation without making a production of it, and his dry sense of humor has a habit of arriving at just the right moment.

When I became the Chamber's Executive Director in February 2024, I was stepping into some very big shoes, but I was also stepping into an organization whose leadership had already shown me what it meant to care for people during difficult times. Thomas had left a legacy of relationships and community service that couldn't simply be replicated, nor should it have been, and I needed time to learn the organization, build trust, and discover how I could best serve the Chamber in my own way.

Ashton understood that, too. He never expected me to be Thomas, and he never tried to tell me exactly how to be Susan, either.

Instead, he offered guidance, encouragement, and something I believe every new leader needs but doesn't always receive: room to find her footing. He was available when I needed advice, willing to listen when I was working through a difficult decision, and wise enough to know when a question would be more helpful than an answer.

Recognizing that continuity mattered, Ashton agreed to serve a second year as Board President, giving the Chamber stability during a time of significant change. This past year, he continued serving on our Executive Committee as Immediate Past President, sharing his experience and institutional knowledge while allowing others to step forward and lead.

And somewhere along the way, the person I initially knew as my Board President became a trusted friend.

I still call Ashton when I need a sounding board, a little historical perspective, or an opinion from someone who knows the Chamber and understands the community. Sometimes I need advice, sometimes I just need to talk through an idea, and I suspect there have been occasions when he's answered the phone wondering what I've gotten myself into now. To his credit, he always listens, and more often than not, I come away from the conversation with a clearer head and a smile.

What I admire about Ashton extends well beyond his service to the Chamber. Whether he's tending to the responsibilities of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, attending a community event, or visiting with neighbors and friends, he demonstrates a genuine appreciation for the people who live, work, and visit here. He understands that the strength of a community rests in relationships, and that showing up, lending a hand, and treating people with kindness are often more meaningful than any title we might hold.

As Ashton completes his service on the Chamber Board, I want our members and community to know how grateful I am for the leadership he provided during one of the most difficult chapters in our organization's history, and for the support he continued to offer long after the immediate challenges had passed.

Leadership isn't always about making the big speech or having the final word. Sometimes it's about knowing when to step forward, when to stay a little longer than you planned, and when to step aside so someone else can grow into the responsibility.

Ashton has done all three, and he's done them well.

Thank you, Ashton, for your steady leadership, your good judgment, your friendship, and the occasional perfectly timed bit of dry humor. The Chamber is stronger because you answered the call when we needed you, and I am a better Executive Director because you were willing to walk alongside me as I found my way.

And should you ever wonder whether your years of service have made a difference, I hope you'll remember this: you helped carry an organization through a difficult season without losing sight of the people who make it worth serving.

If you've had the pleasure of working alongside Ashton, or have simply appreciated his contributions to our community, I hope you'll take a moment to thank him. Those who quietly give so much of themselves don't always hear how much their efforts matter, and I can't think of a better way to honor his service than to let him know.

Of course, Ashton, I also hope you'll continue answering my calls. I'm not quite ready to give up that particular benefit of your friendship.