Running for Us: Reid Barwick, School Board Candidate

Next up in our 2026 Running for Us series of candidate profiles is Reid Barwick, candidate for Henderson County School Board, who took some time recently to answer a few questions.

Reid is a strong champion of public education. One of his key issues is speaking out against the expansion of private school vouchers in North Carolina, which now largely serve to benefit the wealthy rather than provide educational opportunity for lower income families as originally intended.  He is also known for his creative and fun meet-&-greets, including NC barbecue sauce tastings, so be sure to follow him to learn about those!   

HCDP: Thanks for doing this interview, Reid! You announced your candidacy last summer, so you’ve had some time to consider all the angles.  What do you feel you would offer as a member of the School Board?

REID: There are many similarities between the Board of Education in a county this size and a corporate board of directors for a large corporation. For more than 30 years, I managed multimillion dollar projects in the hospitality industry, for major brands in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Nashville. I’ve sat at the board tables with resort owners, architects, designers, contractors, chefs, and celebrities. In most cases, boards are filled with different disciplines who contribute to the oversight and vision for direction and demands thrust upon an evolving dynamic economic environment and community. For the most successful boards, a difference of opinion was welcomed. Hard decisions were made.

I lead by listening, anticipating the change that is always coming. A school board member needs to anticipate what a child’s educational needs are, not just for the school year but to include equipping the child for those first steps into adulthood.

I find projects the most fulfilling in a team environment, and there is great satisfaction in watching some of your team members blossom when given new opportunities.

HCDP: Beyond work, what is your background and what brought you to Henderson County?

REID: I have a bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. Some of the brands I’ve worked with include Walt Disney World, Mirage Resorts, and Opryland Hotels.  We followed the grandchildren back to Hendersonville seven years ago because this is where their parents grew up and graduated. They wanted to raise their children here. We appreciate that so many of the citizens here have a real interest in the community and invest their time and energy in many of the good things we all enjoy about Henderson County.

HCDP: What prompted you to run for office?

REID: There are many reasons I chose to run.  The common thread is that the current Republican-controlled school board has not done what they need to do to advocate for our teachers, our students, and all of our school communities.  A member of the Board of Education is to be aware and support the long-term goal of the system--to assure it is a fully funded secular, governmental body that promotes the educational and social development of students in a healthy and safe environment so that these children are prepared to graduate to become contributing citizens to their community, with the social and employment capabilities required at the time of graduation.

I dive into the details on my website and social media accounts (see below), so I hope people follow me as I address these complex issues individually.

HCDP: Last question: what is something surprising most people don’t know about you?

REID: I golfed with the astronaut Admiral Alan Shepherd!

---

 Many thanks to Reid for taking time to talk with us about his campaign and his vision for a stronger school system that will prepare all the students in our community for the future. He has a lot more to say on the subject so please visit his website at www.reidbarwick4hcps.com and follow his Facebook Page.