Linda Topp, who brings a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, has been named Asheville Watchdog’s executive director.
Topp has volunteered as The Watchdog’s director of operations since October 2023, helping the nonprofit news outlet build its organizational operations. As executive director, Topp will run the business and administrative side of The Watchdog, drawing on her years in management, fundraising, and marketing. She will continue to serve as a volunteer in her expanded role, which begins immediately.
“The Watchdog is lucky to have Linda come along at this crucial moment in our growth,” Watchdog Publisher Bob Gremillion said. “Her energy, organizational skills, and attention to detail are just what we need now. On top of that, she’s serving us as a volunteer who fully believes in our journalistic mission.”
Topp recently retired from her role as director of administration for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, where she served for nearly 10 years. She managed the administrative functions of the 550-member church and oversaw a volunteer-led $1 million capital campaign and construction project.
Topp has also served as director of religious education and programming for East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Mentor, Ohio, and as the interim director of religious education for the First Unitarian Church in Shaker Heights, outside of Cleveland, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Va.
A native of Cleveland who has lived in Asheville for nearly 20 years, Topp has a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Kent State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in geology and her master’s degree in education from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Topp said one of the joys of her time at The Watchdog has been gaining knowledge about the world of journalism.
“First off, the Watchdogs are amazing journalists and collegial people. Since I have never worked in any field close to journalism, working with the Watchdogs is great fun for me,” Topp said. “I’m learning tons of new things — did you know the place where old articles are stored is called the morgue? — and using my skills and experience as a nonprofit administrator to help them.”
Topp also noted that The Watchdog is seeking experienced volunteers to help with fundraising and grant-writing.
Founded in 2020, Asheville Watchdog is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization created and run by award-winning retired journalists and media executives and funded by community donations. A mix of volunteers and paid employees, The Watchdog focuses on investigative and accountability journalism on topics of vital interest to the citizens of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Keith Campbell is the managing editor of The Watchdog. Email kcampbell@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/donate.
Congratulations Linda! It appears that this newspaper is moving towards producing more stories and it will take a person like Linda to fundraise and develop more sponsors and partnerships in the community.
You lucky ducks. LT is a gem.
So glad that Linda Topp is bringing her extraordinary experience, knowledge, and skills, not to mention her sense of humor, to Asheville Watchdog.
Congratulations ! The Asheville Watchdog just keeps getting better and better with top notch folks on the news and the operational side. We sure are fortunate to have you all. Thanks!!
Welcome aboard, Linda to your new title! What a perfect person you are for the job!
Know you have many, many folks out here supporting you and AW.
Best wishes
Monroe
“The Watchdog is lucky to have Linda come along at this crucial moment in our growth,” Watchdog Publisher Bob Gremillion said. As a former member of an organization she led, I can only say that “lucky” is an understatement! Good on ya, Watchdog. You just keep getting better!
Congratulations Linda on your promotion to the Executive Director position, and congratulations to the Asheville Watchdogs for putting her in this position! She will dazzle you with her competence in every way! She should fit right in with the level of performance we see in every article you publish!
Congratulations, Linda. It sounds like a very good fit for both you and the Watchdog. (And who knew you were a geology major?!?)
I have known Linda and observed her in demanding situations over years. Watchdog scored big. You could not have chosen better. What a fine match.
Congratulations Linda. Sounds like a perfect fit and fun to boot. I knew you couldn’t sit still for long. The Watchdog is lucky to get you.
I just signed up, but Ann has been onboard for awhile.
Awww, I don’t know what to say. Glad my Board gets to read this? Well, whatever…thanks for the somewhat astonishing kudos. And yes, not only a geology major but a former junior high science teacher (because what else can you do with a bachelor’s degree in geology?).
WAIT A MINUTE LINDA, I thought you were retired? This seems like a pretty busy way to retire! Best wishes on this new venture.