Clinic Volunteers and Staff

Tom Smith, DDS

Dr. Smith is our founding dentist and continues today as a real workhorse in the war on dental disease. Tom hails from Orlando, FL and has practiced dentistry for over 35 years. Today, in retirement, he passionately serves those who cannot afford dental care in our community.

Michele McDonald, DDS

Dr. McDonald has been a volunteer at the Clinic for three years. Originally from San Diego, she has lived with her husband in the mountain community of Cullowhee, NC since 2004. Michelle has practiced dentistry for 15 years and currently has an active practice in Cashiers, with a focus on pediatric and orthodontic dentistry.

Mel Livernois, DDS

Mel graduated from The University of Michigan in 1971. He practiced for 35 years in Fort Lauderdale, where he was appointed to the role of Dental Examiners for the State Board of Dentistry. In 1991, he was among the first group of five US dentists to use computer aided manufacturing in their practices. Licensed in both Florida and North Carolina, he is also certified by the International Society of Computerized Dentistry. Dr. Livernois is committed to continue contributing his services to the Clinic.

Christopher Dyer, DMD

Dr. Dyer has an active general dentistry practice in Highlands, NC and began his service at the Clinic in 2008. His volunteer time each month allows more dental procedures to be performed, thereby reducing the ever-growing waiting list of patients.

David Silverstein, DDS

A California native, Dr. Silverstein now lives in Franklin, NC, where he has practiced family and implant dentistry for the past 32 years. Since Dr. Silverstein joined our team of dedicated dentists, the Clinic is able to open an additional day per week and treat 8-10 more patients.

Craig Ashton, DDS

Dr. Ashton hails from Rochester, NY and began practicing dentistry in 1963. A graduate of the State University of New York in Buffalo, his extensive career includes time as a clinical instructor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Ashton resides in Bonita Springs, FL and has a summer home in Cashiers.

David Jones, DDS

Dr. Jones graduated from the Emory School of Dentistry in 1974 and has been practicing in the Atlanta area since that time. An Olympic class kayak enthusiast, he still resides in Atlanta but has a summer home in Highlands, allowing him to be a valuable member of the volunteer dental team.

Karen Minton, Executive Director

Originally from Indiana, Karen is a graduate of Indiana University. While serving in the United States Air Force, she gained invaluable knowledge and experience in oral surgery and dental technology. After completing her armed forces career, Karen joined the Lincoln Financial Group in health care administrative services. In addition to her professional qualifications, Karen has excellent people skills and is a great asset to the Clinic.

Dental Hygienists and Technicians

The Clinic employs one hygienist and three dental assistants, all of whom work diligently to prepare the patients for various procedures and assist the dentists in their work.

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.

Bill Jacobs, Treasurer

Bill enjoyed a 30-year career as a corporate/securities/finance lawyer in Atlanta, including 17 years in private practice and as General Counsel of EMS Technologies, a NASDAQ company with whom he maintains a consulting relationship. Bill is a graduate of Swarthmore College and Duke Law School and has been a full-time resident of Cashiers for five years. He is an original founding member and past President of the Board.

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.

Carl Norman, Director

Carl is a CPA and has served in capacities as CEO, Principal and CFO for several organizations including Mountain Top Resorts, The CFN Group, Metrotrans Corporation and CSX Corporation. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech with an MBA from the University of South Carolina. Carl resides in the neighboring town of Highlands, NC.

Toby Summerour, Director

Reverend Toby has been the Associate Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers since his graduation from the School of Theology at Sewanee in 2007. Toby and his wife, Carroll, lived most of their lives in New Orleans, where he was a CPA and she was a community volunteer. Toby is an active coordinator in the clinic's relationship with local churches, who are great supporters of our program.

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.

Mike Grilli, Director

Mike is a summer resident in Cashiers and very active member of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. His professional background includes executive leadership at EMC, a global powerhouse in the data storage business. As a new Board member and inductee into the Order of the Tooth Faries, Mike’s contribution to the Clinic will be both fun and productive. Mike winters in Vero Beach.

Randy Harry, Director

Randy is the new pastor at the Cashiers United Methodist Church. Along with wife Christine and daughter Wren, Randy is in the process of relocating from Brevard, where he served as pastor at St. Timothy United Methodist Church. His prior experience includes law and 14 years of service in the ministry. Randy and his family enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities in our beautiful mountain paradise.