BIOGRAPHY
Jason is currently serving in his fifth consecutive term on the Board of County Commissioners. He was first elected in November 2004 and re-elected in 2008, 2012, 2016, and most recently in 2020. He is the first commissioner to be elected to five consecutive four-year terms. He is currently serving as Chairman and previously served as Chairman from 2006-2008. While serving on the Board of Commissioners, Jason has been a vocal supporter of our Public Schools, Economic/Workforce Development Initiatives and the protection of private property rights.
Mr. Chappell graduated from Rosman High School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Appalachian State University. Jason also completed the Vision Brevard/Transylvania Program in 2007 and completed Blue Ridge Community Colleges’ Inaugural class of the Blue Ridge Community College Leadership Institute in 2011. In 2006, he was recognized as a Certified Workforce Development Professional by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and since 2018 has been recognized as a Global Career Development Facility. Since 2003, he has worked for Blue Ridge Community College and is currently the Director of both the Henderson and Transylvania County NCWorks Career Centers and HRD programs.
Jason and his wife Tessa have a daughter Jesse and son Avery and live in the Old Toxaway Community. Both he and Tessa's family have lived in Transylvania County for generations. Jason and his family worship at the Old Toxaway Baptist Church where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and as an Adult Sunday School Teacher.
In 2010, Mr. Chappell was recognized by the Governor and the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development as the Recipient of the Wayne Daves Award for Outstanding Achievement in Workforce Development.
In 2016, Jason was honored to be inducted into the Rosman High School Alumni Hall of Fame for Public Service.
Prior to his election to Board of County Commissioners, Jason was twice elected to the Transylvania County Board of Education serving as Vice-Chair from 2003-2004. Jason also previously served as Chairman of the Land of Sky Regional Council as selected by elected representatives from Counties and Municipalities from the Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson and Transylvania region.
Q & A
Q: What makes Transylvania County so special to you?
Transylvania County has a rich and diverse history, a natural beauty that is unmatched anywhere in the world. We have an arts community with world class talent, and a school system that consistently is rated one of the best in NC. All of these items make Transylvania County very special, but to me what truly makes our community the most special place in the world is our citizens. From families like mine that can trace their histories back to before Transylvania County was formed here, to the new resident that has just discovered our wonderful county and has decided to make it their forever home, our citizens are what make us special. They are our history and our future.
Q: In which ways do you hope to improve Transylvania County?
I want to continue to fight for limited conservative government. I believe less government is better government. I want to continue to push to reduce excessive regulations to allow our County to be able to reach its potential. I want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make sure we have an economic environment where we can prosper. I also want to make sure we continue to support our education systems and are provided a well-trained viable workforce to meet the new economy.
Q: Do you have any favorite things that you like to do in Transylvania County?
Some of my favorite things to do in our community is to attend church with family and friends at Old Toxaway Baptist Church, I enjoying fishing with family, and watch all Rosman High School Sports.