Board of Directors

Ron Keller, President

A graduate of Indiana University, Ron began his adult life with four years in Major League Baseball, including two years as a pitcher with the Minnesota Twins. In 1969, Ron established Keller Investment Management Company to serve individual clients as an independent Registered Investment Advisor. He is a full-time resident of Cashiers and has served on the Board since 2006.

Jim Smith, Vice President/Secretary

Jim practiced corporate and securities law in Atlanta for 40 years before retiring in 2008. He serves on the boards of several charitable and community organizations in Cashiers and Atlanta. Jim is especially interested in the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic because his mother’s family were prominent dentists in Denver, CO for many years.

Larry Ray, Treasurer

Larry was raised in Northern Indiana. He earned his BSEE degree from Purdue in 1962 and a MBA degree from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1976. He enjoyed a successful 40-year career in the electrical equipment and systems industry with Allis-Chalmers and its successor company, Siemens, serving the domestic utility, industrial, and commercial and residential construction industries. He held positions in engineering, manufacturing, sales, service, general management, and senior management, overseeing business units with over $1 billion of revenue. Larry also served on several internal Boards of acquired companies. During these 40 years, he lived in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Sanford, NC, Cincinnati, and Atlanta.

Larry and his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann, have two daughters and four grandchildren. They first found Highlands in 1989 and bought property at the new Cullasaja Club on their first visit. Larry and Mary Ann have been full time residents since their home was completed in 1998. Larry has been actively involved in the affairs of the Cullasaja Club since it became a member owned club in 2000, serving on several club committees and serving as the President of the Cullasaja HOA for six years.

Within the Highlands community, Larry and Mary Ann are primarily involved with the Highlands United Methodist Church, where they have been members since 1998. Larry has served as the Head Usher for ten years and participates in the choir and several other committees. In the past, he has served as Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Administrative Council.

Mel Livernois, DDS, Director

One of the Clinic's much-appreciated volunteer dentists, Dr. Livernois was introduced as a new Board member in May 2010. He has been a full time resident of Cullowhee Mountain since 2006. Married for 39 years, he and his wife Linda cherish their two daughters, sons-in-law and grandchild. Dr. Livernois enjoys woodturning, fishing, hiking and completing the eternal "honey-do" list.

Lynne Keating, Director

A year-round resident of Cashiers, Lynne has served on the Board since 2007 and is responsible for the Clinic's grant writing efforts. She is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and spent her professional career with Travelers Insurance Company in marketing and underwriting employee benefit plans. Lynne has served many charitable organizations including Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Summit Charter School and others.

Andrew Angle, Director

A native of Atlanta, Andrew resides in Cashiers year-round with his wife, Tally. A graduate of Georgia State University, he was an executive with the Coca-Cola Company for 23 years, holding management positions in the United States and Southeast Asia. Andrew coordinates the Clinic's website.

Michael Rich, Director

Michael is the Director of the Plus 50 Program at Southwestern Community College. He received a B.A. degree from Huntington College, a Masters of Divinity from Duke University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. He has worked in churches and church organizations for over 20 years, including a five-year post in Kobe, Japan. Mike lives in Waynesville with his wife, Rose.

Nancy Pankey, Director

Nancy is a Coral Gables, Florida native who studied design at Stephens College and Parsons School of Design. She married Dr. Lindsey D. Pankey Jr. in 1961 and raised two children while he grew a successful dental practice in South Florida. Lindsey died in June 2008.

Nancy first visited Cashiers in 1967. Lindsey was born in Waynesville and his parents maintained a summer home at Waynesville Country Club. Nancy's parents were close friends of Albert Carlton and his invitation to visit was impossible to turn down. Nancy and Lindsey continued to visit every summer, finally building their own house in 2001.

Nancy is very involved in community service in the Miami area during the winter months. She maintains a residence at Islamorada and is active with the Junior League of Miami. She also supports the University of Miami Beaux Arts Festival, a two day event that attracts 100,000 visitors to the University of Miami campus. In addition, she is active with the College Assistance Program, which provides scholarships to needy students in the Miami area. She is also a Viscayan, a group that supports the preservation and advancement of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an accredited museum and a National Historic Landmark. Nancy also contributes her time at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, a leading center of palm research, horticulture, and conservation.

Nancy's children, along with four grandchildren, live in Florida and all love to have her nearby.

Jodie Cook, Director

Jodie is originally from Atlanta and a graduate of Georgia Tech. After 15 years with DSM Chemicals, he established Highlands Chemical Corp. in 1994. He and his wife, Caroline, have been living in Highlands since 1996 and have been coming to the area since 1975. Jodie is very active in Highlands and Macon County with a number of organizations, including the Highlands Rotary Club, where he is the immediate past president and current Assistant District Governor for District 7670.