2009 Member Bios |
Delario Cato
Apprenticeship(s): Winter Green, First Light Solar (FLS) Energy
Before Asheville GO Delario was working in jobs that he found boring. He joined Asheville GO because he was looking to try something new and different. The program has given Delario more patience and greater confidence in his abilities as a worker. It has also taught him to work as a member of a team and to be on time. He hopes to keep Asheville GO, in his life by “staying with the apprenticeship that the program has provided me, and turning it into a good career.” What Delario will remember most about Asheville GO is the jobs, the friends, the mentors, and all people he met along the way.
Darius Edgerton
Apprenticeship: Sundance Power Systems
Before Asheville GO Darius was without a job, trying to search for a career path to excel in. He worked in several jobs prior to the program and even started his own web design and e-bay auctioning business at the age of 19. Because of Asheville GO Darius is now training in one of the many green industries covered during the pre-apprenticeship. The program has taught him to “use my surroundings to manipulate and execute my goals, even if it means becoming my own boss.” He’ll most remember the challenges he faced throughout the course of the training. Darius hopes to keep Asheville GO alive in his life by helping out when necessary to help train new GO members, by serving on the board, and by donating 20% of the profits he hopes generate conducting Green Building seminars to Asheville GO’s cause.
Nicole Brow Edgerton
Apprenticeship: The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville
Nicole joined Asheville GO to gain self-confidence. The program has built her self-esteem and taught her a variety of things she hopes to use in the future. Nicole recommends the program to everyone she knows because of the staff. According to Nicole, Dan, DeWayne and Torin are “ideal mentors and really are great teachers. They build up your self-esteem and get you ready for the real world. It’s awesome!” She’ll most remember all the good times and the sense of family among her fellow Asheville GO members.
DeAngelo Franklin
Apprenticeship: Lightning Bug Electric Services
DeAngelo (a.k.a. D) came to Asheville GO to gain independence and maturity and to learn how he could help improve the economy and the planet. Before the program, he was doing side jobs and “hustlin’.” As a result of the program, D doesn’t do any of the foolish things he was doing before. Instead he’s bee able to do some things he always wanted to do, “like building, remodeling and driving a crane.” Asheville GO has taught D how to improve himself and make his life better. He’s not hustlin’anymore, he quit drinking and he has “a little bit better manners.” According to D, Asheville GO represents a way to “get outta the game. You don’t have to go through the troubles of going to jail, or people wanting to beat you up because you meet people that are more positive that can teach you a lot.” He’s going to remember everything about Asheville GO, and he’ll keep the program in his life by staying involved.
Waylon Smith
Apprenticeship: GO Energy Team
Before Asheville GO, Waylon was doing a whole bunch of wrong stuff—and getting into a lot of trouble for it. He joined the program because he wanted to gain job skills and learn how to communicate better with others. As a result of the program, Waylon now feels like he is now making some better choices. The program has taught him about framing and insulating homes and how to make homes more energy efficient. It has also taught him how to dress and act more professionally on the job. Waylon will remember everything and everybody connected with Asheville GO, especially the camping trip. He hopes to keep Asheville GO in his life by hanging around and not leaving Asheville. “I’d like to keep doing this work and sharing my experience with new recruits.”
Demetrius Wallace
Apprenticeship: WNC Energy
Before Asheville GO, Demetrius (a.k.a. D) was unemployed and broke. He joined the program to gain self-reliance. As a result of the program he is now “employed, un-broke, and green!” The program has taught D basic job-hunting skills, how to “do quality work, and how to live green.” He’ll most remember the people he met during his time in the program—every one of them—and he hopes to keep Asheville GO in his life by keeping the job the program got him and by staying green.
