Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

The Salisbury Post has brought back its People to Watch with a 10 part series that looks at individuals with a big 2025 ahead of them.

Today’s feature centers on a pair from Meals on Wheels, Alexandra Fisher and Holly Teeter, who have climbed the ranks of leadership at this organization.

Meals on Wheels is a home delivered meal program, which also offers a grocery program for those who still want to continue cooking and an animal program to help care for the pets of those enrolled in either of those programs.

Fisher, originally from Raleigh, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel where she earned a degree in communications. She moved to Salisbury and she, along with husband Hunter and daughter Caroline Reece live in Salisbury.

Teeter is a native of Salisbury, growing up in the South Rowan area. A South Rowan High School graduate, she graduated from Western Carolina in 2009 with a degree in hospitality and tourism. She and husband Matt and children Maggie, 5, and Oliver, 3, live in Mocksville.

The two were both hired to begin at Meals on Wheels in 2020 following jobs with other groups which helped them in their new roles at this local service organization.

After college, Fisher started out doing contract work copywriting for companies and then worked with her dad’s antique and appraisal company on the High Point Furniture Market managing social media and helping out during the market season.

A stay at home mom following the birth of her daughter for four years, she then started writing grants for Meals on Wheels and said she “quickly became very passionate about it and getting involved in the community and seeing how organizations like Meals on Wheels are giving back to people.”

That role grew to fund development marketing manager along with writing grants, social media and special events using her background in PR and marketing to get others passionate about causes and helping to get the word out about what Meals on Wheels and other organizations are doing and how valuable it is for people in the community.

“I love grant writing because it’s really a great way to think about what you’re doing and what kind of outcomes you’re looking for in the community,” said Fisher, adding that “you’re verbalizing this is why we do this. This is how we do it and this is why we need your support in doing it.”

Volunteering is what Teeter is passionate about, she said and serving her community.

“I feel like I was put on this earth to serve people, to be in the service industry in some capacity,” she said.

Teeter’s first opportunity to serve right out of college was with an international nonprofit where she was the statewide operations manager working primarily in Uganda. She was with them for approximately 10 years before she transitioned to this position with Meals on Wheels

With the international organization, Teeter helped with kids and she said she saw her role with Meals on Wheels would be different and fun as she would be working with seniors right here back home in her own community.

“I just have always loved helping people. and I know that that was my direction for life,” she said.

Fisher and Teeter were hired as part of a succession plan as replacements were being sought for Sandy Combs, program director and Cindy Fink, executive director, both of whom had served in their roles for many years.

Fisher said she came to Meals on Wheels as the development and marketing manager, moved up to the development director position and in January became the associate executive director and will become the new executive director on May 1 of this year as Fink will be taking a sabbatical and then plans to come back and help with grant writing.

Teeter was hired as the program manager and moved her way to the program director role in 2024, overseeing all the programs and making sure things are running smoothing at all of their sites, including Salisbury, China Grove and Granite Quarry, along with some courier routes at several area churches within the community.

She also said she would be working with Fisher to develop new ideas and new things they can bring to the community and making sure that seniors have the resources they need and that they are “equipped to remain at home as long as possible.”

It was noted that Combs, who had that role for 14 years, will continue with the organization as volunteer director.

Fisher said she would continue leading the organization’s development, fundraising and marketing efforts and overseeing the day to day operations and the overall organization.

“One of the things that I really want to focus on is making sure that we are reaching all the seniors that we can,” she said. “We know there is a need in all communities and we know that need is growing. So in my role, I’m going to help Holly and our team make sure that we’re reaching everyone in Rowan County, different pockets in more rural areas and just getting more outreach.”

Initially coming and joining Meals on Wheels seemed to just happen for both Fisher and Teeter they said, knowing and meeting Fink and as Teeter said, “history wrote itself. It just seemed perfect timing and a perfect fit and it just fell into place for me.”

Fisher echoed that sentiment saying that the opportunity arose for her and when Fink reached out to her to start grant writing which grew to getting to know the people they serve and how the nonprofit works.

“I really found a passion for what we’re doing,” she said as she added how very important it is “to be that voice for those that we help from our community and are always thought of.”

As for what keeps them there, Fisher and Teeter both commended the staff and said how great they are.

“We work very well together and I think we enjoy each other’s company so just knowing that I leave the house with a smile on my face coming to work every day. Not everybody can say that,” said Teeter.

In addition to the staff, she said how wonderful the participants are and there is a bond that formed with them.

“Some of them will feel like family,” she said.

The first thing that Fisher said keeps her coming back is this organization and team.

“I’ve never worked at a place where I felt so much like family. And so I really enjoy this team and all that they do,” she said.

She also added that the joy of what they can provide for the seniors and what it means to them is another major factor.

The volunteers were mentioned by the two, noting how fantastic, generous and amazing they are and how they go above and beyond.

“It’s a wonderful place to work and know that you’re helping your community in what you do daily and it’s simple. You’re making sure that someone is getting a meal and that they’re taken care of,” said Teeter.

While at Meals on Wheels, they shared something they have learned during their time there.

For Fisher, it was the importance of communication noting the different facets of it including communicating with clients, volunteers and donors.

As for Teeter, she said, learning the different personalities from the different age groups there whether it’s the high school kids they work with, the middle age who deliver or the seniors who are in the programs.

Service doesn’t end for the two with their jobs as they are involved in other community activities.

Both are graduates of Leadership Rowan and Fisher is a member of the Rotary serving as the public image chairs, is a member of Healthy Rowan; on the steering committee for the Community Needs Health assessment; and teaches Spin class at the YMCA twice a week.

Teeter is part of the Reach group, a senior advocacy group which meets monthly; is active at Life Church; involved in the Food and Farm Network; served on the steering committee for the chamber’s Youth Leadership Rowan program  

 

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one record/album to listen to, what would it be and why?

Fisher said, “Mine would be ‘Rumors’ by Fleetwood Mac also because it’s timeless and I haven’t gotten sick of it yet so I could probably listen to it on repeat on an island.”

Teeter said, “Mine would be Frank Sinatras’ greatest hits because who could ever get sick of listening to Frank Sinatra.”

 

If they made a movie about your life, who should the producers cast to play you?

Fisher said, “Mine would probably be Julie Bowen from Modern Family. More personality than looks.”

Teeter said, “Mine would probably be Amy Adams. She is a red head, but I definitely think our personalities are very similar.”

 

What is your motto/mantra/favorite saying?

Fisher: “It never hurts to ask. The worst they can say is no. I think it applies personally and professionally.”

Teeter: “Be kind. Like we said before, you never know a person’s personality or situation that they are going through so just always be kind.”

 

Do you have a personal goal set for 2025?

Fisher said, “Keeping in mind that this is a big transitional year, is maintaining a good work-home balance and not getting too caught up in work and being present with my daughter and my family and going home and just disconnecting.”

Teeter said, “Just for my family to get out and explore North Carolina more. We have our certain spots we like to go but just knowing that our state has so much to offer, why not go everywhere.”

 

Who is someone that you will be watching in 2025?

Fisher said she would be looking at other senior serving agencies and what they are doing. “We serve a really unique population that sometimes gets forgotten and so I think it’s important to look at what they’re doing and how they’re serving our seniors and ways we can collaborate or better serve the people in this community.”

Teeter said other nonprofit leaders in our community. “We’ve got Jenny Lee, we’ve got Kyna Grubb, both are two leaders that I probably say I would be looking at just for kind of an influence as for what are they doing in their organizations and also how can we partner together to help our community. Just other leaders in our community that serve Rowan County.”