Board of Directors

jane Alexander
co-President

Jane graduated from Appalachian State University with a BSB in Education, Master of Education from the University in North Florida and an EDS degree in Literacy and Learning from Converse College.  Jane was in education for 43 years before her retirement.  After a family member was diagnosed with a mental illness in 2000, she reached out to NAMI and attended Family Support meetings and took various NAMI classes to educate herself about mental health issues.  She has been an advocate for NAMI and is currently a facilitator in the Family Support Group in NAMI High Country. She is a member of the Rotary in Blowing Rock and also serves on the Watauga Community Health Project.  

Dana Hamilton
co-president

Dana Hamilton works in philanthropy, currently as the National Leadership Gift Director at Make-A-Wish America.  Mrs. Hamilton has over 24 years of experience in non-profit development, many of those years holding a role in management.  She is a native of North Carolina, a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University and an alumna of the Institute of American University, France. Originally from Hickory, NC, she recently relocated back to her hometown from Colorado, where she still maintains a residence.  After attending a Family to Family course, she became acquainted with NAMI and is trained as a Family Support Group Facilitator.  

Dana is married to her husband John who is Dean of Students at St. Stephens High School in Hickory, NC.  She has one son who is currently pursuing his graduate degree in counseling and a golden retriever Star who is perfecting her swimming and ball catching skills.  When she is not working, Dana enjoys hiking, practicing meditation, and spending time with family and friends.

Marge Gray
secretary

Marge Gray is a US Navy Veteran and the Alleghany County Veteran Service Officer. As an Accredited Veteran Services Officer, she advises Veterans and their families of their rights and entitlements under various Federal and State laws. She provides recommendations, referrals, assists with obtaining pertinent documents, as well as assist the Veteran, and/or their family members, complete the appropriate paperwork for the Veterans Administration (VA) to apply for the Veteran’s benefits.

Suicide and mental health are very near and dear to Marge’s heart, especially where Veterans are concerned. While on active duty, her younger brother took his own life by firearm. Veterans are at particular risk of mental health struggles, with a suicide rate that is 1.5 times higher than that of the overall U.S. population. Veterans living in rural communities often face unique challenges that limit their access to health care. Barriers such as long distances to clinical facilities and a shortage of qualified providers can put rural Veterans and their families at risk.

Marge volunteers with/or is a member of the following organizations:

• Alleghany County Special Olympics – Local Coordinator and Coach

• Alleghany County Rescue Squad – Certified EMT and Technical Rescuer

• Alleghany County DSS Multidisciplinary Team – Team Member

• Alleghany County Veterans Advisory Committee

• American Legion Post 542

• Marine Corps League Post 1298

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary Post 7034

• Board Member of Alleghany Lives – Board Member

• Our State, Our Wellbeing – Core Team Member for Alleghany County

• NAMI Member – Board Member with NAMI High Country

• Alleghany County Council on Aging - Board Member

Murray Hawkinson

Murray Hawkinson has been a NAMI HC Board Member since 2015, and has been involved with the field of recovery since the 1970’s.  He is a Boone, NC native, and graduated from Watauga High School in 1970, then from Davidson College in 1974 with a degree in Psychology, and then completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill in 1982, eventually finishing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology there in 1991 after making his own recovery from two bouts of cancer.  After working over 30 years with New River Behavioral HealthCare, he was the Center Director for Daymark in Watauga County from 2011 until his retirement in 2020. Since then, he has continued to provide contract services to Daymark, and currently is the Program Director for a SAMHSA grant. Murray is an enthusiastic supporter of recovery efforts, has provided several presentations for NAMI HC meetings, and has been encouraging the development of a peer support center in this area.

MELANIE CHILDERS

Melanie Childers is the Director of Pastoral Care at Watauga Medical Center, and a licensed professional counselor. Ordained by the United Church of Christ, Melanie has worked and lived in Boone for more than 20 years, providing spiritual care to people of all faiths, and people who espouse no faith. Melanie is passionate about supporting mental health and destigmatizing mental illness. She also enjoys hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor therapies.

Don Rigdon

Don has a a life-long interest in mental health issues stemming from his father’s unsuccessful battle with alcoholism. He is fascinated with trying to understand how the human brain functions and why people behave the way they do. 

Don is a retired hospital pharmacist. He chooses to still work at Cannon Memorial Hospital by providing bi-weekly focus group sessions in the Behavioral Health Unit dealing with “Medication Education and Mental Wellness”. He promotes the idea of “spiritual  discernment” as an important tool for mental wellness. 

Don has been married to his wife, Jean, for 51 + years. They are both very involved with caregiving for their grand children, who live close by. 

He enjoys weekly kayak fishing trips during the summer with his fishing buddies at the New River in Virginia. In the fall, he enjoys several weeks of fishing on the coast of NC and SC. 

Pamela Thomas

Pamela Thomas hails from the High Country, residing in Fleetwood in Ashe County. Pamela is a facilitator for the Connections Recovery Support Group and a facilitator for In Our Own Voice. Pamela served her country in the United States Navy, and has worked for multiple local governments. Pamela also volunteers for the DAV, transporting disabled veterans to their appointments. She also delivers meals through Ashe Outreach. Pamela is excited for this new chapter in her life, helping those with mental disorders.

Tom Schwartz

Tom Schwartz is a faculty member in psychology at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He also has lived experience with bipolar disorder and complex PTSD. He has personal experience with suicide and living with the effects of a family member’s suicide. For over 20 years he has continued in his recovery through medication, regular appointments with his therapist, and an ongoing connection with his psychiatrist. Previously, he served on the board of the Albemarle affiliate of NC NAMI and is a Certified Peer Support Specialist.