PTO Board Members
ERICA BRINKER, PRESIDENT
Erica Brinker is a proud mother of three children at Blowing
She has a degree in Horticulture from North Carolina State University and began her career in the wholesale plant business, later transitioning to freelance design work. She considers herself a crazy plant lady, 100%. When she's not busy tending to her gaggle of children and pets, she's in her garden (or someone else's). She also dedicates many volunteer hours serving the Blowing Rock community through the BRS PTO Board, various local non-profits and projects these organizations spearhead.
The vision of The Speckled Trout is "to belong to something bigger than yourself." This is something she strives to achieve in all aspects of her life, personally and professionally. She served her first term on the PTO as Community Advisor. As President, she is looking forward to working toward the future growth of our school community with all those who call the high country and Blowing Rock home!
ASHLEY SALLEY, VICE PRESIDENT
Ashley Salley is a mom of three, wife to a US Navy 
Eli is an 8th grader, Adelyn is a 5th grader, and George is a 2nd grader. They are all proud to attend the Blowing Rock School and have been blessed to make good friends.
After starting her career in magazine journalism, Ashley has worked for various nonprofits to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes. She has also supported the marketing and communication efforts of multiple hotels, universities and private companies as a storyteller and copywriter. She looks forward to making Blowing Rock School the best place for students, teachers and parents through her position as Vice President with the PTO, serving her second two year term (previously secretary).
When she’s not busy driving her kids around, feeding her kids, cleaning up after her kids or waking up at all hours of the night with them, Ashley writes about marriage and motherhood at www.flightymom.com.
ANNA GATES, TREASURER
Anna is a high country local and Appalachian State alumni who moved back to the area in 2009 after working in sales and marketing for 8 years in Raleigh. This move continues to be one of the best decisions of her life! Her son, Owen, is in 5th grade and they feel so fortunate to be a part of Blowing Rock School and the surrounding community.
Anna has a degree in Accounting and Marketing and has worked locally in public accounting for 15 years. Her accounting experience is non-profit and small business focused and she is eager to apply her knowledge while serving as PTO Treasurer.
When she is not busy working and being Owen’s #1 cheerleader, Anna enjoys live music, learning about and collecting plants, and scuba diving.
MEGAN BULLOCK, SECRETARY
Megan and her family moved from Raleigh to Blowing Rock in October 2018 and it is by far the best decision they’ve ever made. Her husband, who is also her high school sweetheart, accepted a job operating cranes and they jumped at the opportunity to move to this amazing small town. Their son Lawson is a 4th grader.
She has a business management and marketing/design background in both residential and commercial real estate. Currently, she is the Marketing Coordinator and ID Executive Assistant at 4 Forty Four, which allows her to pursue her love of new construction, renovations, commercial upfits, and interior design. She is also lucky to manage the marketing efforts of several companies here in the High Country and Raleigh. She’s fortunate that both careers allow her the flexibility to spend time with my family and in our community. When she’s not working, she enjoys adventuring with her boys and their dog, Ham.
She is excited to serve a second term as the PTO Secretary, having served the past two years as president. Her intent is to make every effort possible to provide opportunities for the success of each student.
WHITNEY BROWN, COMMUNITY ADVISOR
Whitney is happily married to Brandon Brown and they have two wonderful children, At
Whitney Brown is a motivational speaker and sustainable impact consultant who works with businesses and organizations across the globe in the creation and implementation of a strategic plan that allows them to make a sustainable impact in their communities.
She and her husband are also the Founders of Immeasurably More Haiti, a consulting firm that works to create sustainable futures for families in Haiti. You can learn more about those efforts here www.immeasurablymorehaiti.com
ERIN STRICKLAND, TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE
Erin Strickland has worked at Blowing Rock School for seven years. For the
Erin graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Then earned her Master’s degree in Reading Education. Erin has spent her whole career working at Blowing Rock School and loves the families and community. She looks forward to volunteering as the PTO Teacher Representative. Her role will be to share information and communication between PTO and school staff.
When Erin is not at school, she loves to spend her time outside with friends and family. You can often find her out running, hiking, or playing at the park with her dog and daughter.
ASHLEY RIVERA, PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Ashley and her family moved to Blowing Rock in the summer of 2023 from Tampa, FL after her husband, Carlo, accepted a hospitalist position at Watauga Medical Center. They have 3 children: Luca (5th grader), Beau (2nd grader) and Addie (kindergartener). They love their life here and a lot of that is thanks to the school community at Blowing Rock School.
Ashley graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Public Health and worked in Construction- Project Management for most of her career. She and her husband also own a photo booth company, Hello, Red Bird Photo Booth. This allows her to use her creative side. In their free time they love to be outside hiking, kayaking, tubing, skiing, snowboarding and they love to travel! Ashley is excited to serve as our Parent Representative and to connect with each of you. The school family welcomed them with open arms and made their transition seamless. She looks forward to continuing to “pay it forward,” while building connections and friendships within our community and school family.
EMILY ROBERTS
Emily Roberts is a mother to Cora, a rising first-grader, and wife to Michael, a local real estate agent in the High Country. After an encouraging first year at Blowing Rock School, Emily looks forward to deepening her involvement in the school community through the PTO.
Emily's educational journey includes an undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a graduate degree from the College of Textiles at NCSU. After gaining valuable experience in the corporate realm, she has dedicated most of her career to working in the family business, supplying nonwoven fabrics to furniture and mattress manufacturers nationwide. Recently, Emily and Michael embarked on a new venture by establishing The Pottery Lot, a community pottery studio in the High Country. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time outside on their ‘farm’ with fruit & vegetable gardens, too many chickens and a few noisy guineas.
Excited about her role with the PTO, Emily is eager to contribute to the support and enrichment of students, families, teachers, and the broader school community in Blowing Rock.
MIRANDA CALLIS, AT-LARGE MEMBER
Miranda grew up in nearby Bakersville, NC, at the base of Roan Mountain. After graduating from UNC- Asheville, she lived in many beautiful places throughout the country while working as a Park Ranger for the US National Park Service. She then spent a decade in Raleigh working in real estate. During her 16 years away, she always knew there was no place like home in these mountains!
Her and husband, Tom, a geneticist, have two children; Everley (2nd grader), and Roan (kindergartener). They happily moved back to the high country in 2019 and are so grateful to call this incredible place home. They enjoy all the fabulous hiking, skiing, and camping this area has to offer.
She is looking forward to serving Blowing Rock School and our community!