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About Central ParkAbout Central Park

The Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project was formed in 1993 by a consensus of leaders from Anson, Davidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan and Stanly Counties to develop a strategy to preserve the natural and cultural assets of central North Carolina, using them to create a sustainable local economy. In 2000, the Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project published “A Strategy for North Carolina’s Central Park” – a blueprint for the development of a new economy for our region based on heritage and cultural tourism development and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Now known as Central Park NC, our strategy focuses on small businesses development complementary to heritage and cultural tourism, and also developing the regional infrastructure for increasing overnight tourism. According to studies conducted by Appalachian State University and the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte, the implementation of this strategy will result in a doubling of overnight visitation to the region from 20% to 40% by focusing on scenic natural areas, driving/sightseeing, nature walks, historic sites, and zoos/wildlife observation, and will create an additional 25,000 jobs above the benchmark forecast and an incremental positive net economic impact of $2.1 billion per year.

The Central Park NC Staff:

Nancy Gottovi is the Executive Director of Central Park. She earned her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been an adjunct Assistant Professor at NC State University and UNC Charlotte. Dr. Gottovi has served as editor for the national Rural Education Finance Center’s Rural School Funding Report, director of the Heritage and Cultural Tourism Partnership of NC and Project Director of the NC Pottery Center. Nancy was a 1995 Fellow of the Rural Economic Development Leadership Institute and is currently a 2006-2008 William C. Friday Fellow for Human Relations. Nancy lives in northern Moore County.

Beth Throneburg is the Office Manager for Central Park NC. Her experience includes Director of a Main Street program, historic preservation research and planning, as well as working with diverse populations as a GED instructor. She has a BA in Historic Preservation and a Certificate in Accounting. Beth is a resident of Stanly County.

Tim Emmert was formerly communications director for the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. During his four years with the Pew Partnership he worked with community leaders nationwide on historic preservation, identification of assets, setting benchmarks and civic leadership development. He is interested in using new technologies to assist collaborative community efforts. Tim earned a Masters in Politics from the University of Virginia and holds a BS in Public Relations and a BA in Political Science from Syracuse University. Tim lives in Moore County.

Casey Harris, is a native of Wilkesboro NC and is a graduate of Appalachian State University where she earned a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in town, city and county management. Casey earned her BA in Political Science and Public Administration from Elon University. She has studied the national Main Street program and has also engaged in community program development including design of a “Gifts for Parks” strategy. Casey lives in Randolph County.

Santiago Ramirez Alvarez is the Operations Manager for STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise. He assists the organization with entrepreneurial development and Latino community outreach. A native of Mexico, he is fluent in Spanish and English. Santiago is a resident of Montgomery County.

Takuro Shibata is the Director of STARworks Ceramics, a social enterprise venture of Central Park NC. Takuro is a native of Japan, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Applied Chemistry. He has over 10 years experience in ceramics research, ceramics materials and studio facilities. As a resident artist in several regions of the U.S. Takuro has conducted numerous lectures and workshops on various ceramics topics and techniques. Takuro lives in Moore County.

Kiersten Cook is a Wildlife Biologist who works for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as the Piedmont Land Conservation Biologist with the Piedmont Cooperative Land Conservation Project. She has a Master of Science in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of Georgia. The Piedmont Cooperative Land Conservation Project (PCLCP) provides recommendations and information about conserving wildlife habitat in the south-central Piedmont so that economic growth can exist comfortably next to benefits provided by the natural world such as wildlife diversity. The PCLCP develops cooperative voluntary land conservation projects with other conservation organizations, landowners and local governments. Kiersten also works with the Greater Uwharries Conservation Partnership, a group of 12 natural resources and economic organizations (including NCWRC and Central Park NC) focused on ecological conservation and economic growth in the region. Kacy lives in Montgomery County.