High Country Alumni Association chapter announces new leadership

The High Country chapter of the Lees-McRae Alumni Association announces new leadership. Jesse Pope ’02 will serve as chapter president, Mandy Poplin ’94 will serve as chapter vice president, and Jamie Johnson ’89 will serve as vice president of engagement.

At Lees-McRae, Pope earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and focused on ecology, homing in on Appalachian ecology. His first post-graduate position was as a backcountry ranger at Grandfather Mountain, and he has continued working for the park since. Throughout his tenure at the park Pope also served as an animal keeper in the park’s animal habitats, chief naturalist, and director of education and natural resources before taking on his current role as president and CEO of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Poplin has been the director of membership and marketing at Blowing Rock Country Club since 2018, where she leads efforts to grow the club’s membership, shapes marketing campaigns, organizes special events, and more. She earned her bachelor's degree from Lees-McRae in Business Administration and competed on the women’s tennis team. Since graduating in 1994 she has remained connected to her alma mater, and she looks forward to continuing to connect with alumni, support students, and advance the college’s mission through this new role as vice president.

After graduating from Lees-McRae, Johnson began a career as a registered respiratory therapist and worked in various hospitals until eventually serving a tenure as director of cardiopulmonary care in a Moses Cone Health System facility. Johnson has worn various hats throughout her career, including managing a cardiology office, working in market research and event and conference planning at Energy Systems Group, and in the Banner Elk retail community. Since Hurricane Helene Johnson has dedicated her time and attention to Hands of Hope, a local nonprofit that continues to provide long-term support to the people and families of the High Country who were impacted by the storm.

Pope, Poplin, and Johnson began their tenures with the High Country Chapter with the start of the Fall 2026 semester and will serve a three-year term.

These chapters serve more than just alumni. As a branch of ONE Lees-McRae, the groups are designed to engage community members, parents, and friends of the college throughout each region. The High Country Chapter serves constituents in 23 counties in western North Carolina, and four counties in eastern Tennessee. Get involved today to stay connected with other members of the Lees-McRae community.

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