Get to know your board members...
Published by William Puckett
Jul 05, 2023
PRESIDENT
William "Will" Puckett was born and raised in Gaston County. He grew up in Stanley, North Carolina and graduated from East Gaston High School in 2005. He is married to a Cherryville native Heather Puckett. They have 2 boys Brayden and Cason and 1 angel daughter Blakely. In his younger years he worked for the Stanley Recreation department under Tug Deason who has an impeccable program. He learned all about the commitment it takes to have a successful organization. Speaking of commitment, will has been enlisted in the United States Air Force with the Charlotte Air National Guard for over 16 years. He is a Master Sergeant/E-7 who works full time as the North Carolina Air National Guard and serves as the Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent. He has been deployed 3 different times, two to Afghanistan and one to Kuwait.
He has always loved all kinds of youth sports because that is where the fundamentals of every aspect fo the game and life come into play. He loves to work with kids and teach them not only the fundamentals of football or basketball, but also the fundamentals of life. He loves teaching the value of teamwork, integrity, and most importantly respect. Some of those same values he took an oath to. He is grateful for having the opportunity to be president of the Cherryville Little Ironmen program and will work extended hours to make it a program that will foster the values that will help kids further their educational goals and instill the characteristics of a professional whether on or off the field. He looks forward to growing a professional organization that everyone feels welcomed too. GO IRONMEN!!!
VICE PRESIDENT
Dan Harris is from Mount Holly where he attended Gaston County Schools through 12th grade. Before graduating, Dan began his career in Public Safety as a Volunteer Firefighter. Dan then transitioned to working as an Emergency Medical Technician for Gaston Emergency Medical Services and Gaston Life Saving Rescue Squad. While working in the Emergency Medical Service, Dan met his wife Kelly Harris. In early 2006 Dan started his career in Law Enforcement at Gaston County Sheriff’s Office where he would stay for almost 5 years. In late 2007 Dan and Kelly got happily married in Mexico. In late 2010 Dan left the Sheriff’s Office and started working at Cramerton Police Department as a Patrol Officer and has now rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant. Dan and Kelly have 3 crazy kids, Dane, Sadie and Luke that all attend Cherryville Schools. They all play different sports and are all actively involved in the Cherryville Little Ironmen Program. Dan has been involved with Cherryville Little Ironmen Booster Club and Cherryville Little League for several years now. Dan enjoys being a part of this program because at the end of the season you look at the kids and see how much they have grown physically and mentally.
SECRETARY
Hannah Garrett is proud to serve as Secretary for the Cherryville Little Ironmen. Born and raised a mountain girl from Mitchell County, she moved to Gaston County in 2012 when she married her husband, Scott. They reside in Cherryville with their two kids, Ashley and Joey, and attend church at First Wesleyan of Cherryville. Hannah is employed at Carpenter-Porter Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Hannah enjoys being involved in the community. She serves as Chaplain of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #100, serves on the Board of Directors for Cherryville Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Chamber City Events Team. Hannah is most comfortable wearing a smile and confidence and she aspires to instill that mindset with the kids of this program. She brings big energy wherever she goes and loves to cheer for all the athletes. Hannah loves to share her joy, love, and praise with every single one of the kiddos. She believes sports are important in children’s lives because they allow them to channel their energy, provides mental clarity, teaches accountability, gives them attainable goals, and allows them to be part of something bigger. The smiles on the faces of kids, whether from making a good play, hitting a goal, or simply hearing their name cheered on from the stands, is worth the hours invested in this organization. WHO ARE WE?! IRONMEN!
TREASURER
CHEER COORDINATOR
Heather Puckett is an Exceptional Children's Teacher for Cleveland County Schools. Heather has a love for serving all students but her passion is for working with students who have Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. "See the ability, not the disability." Heather received her undergraduate from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Heather is a native of Cherryville and believes the best way to give back to the community is through serving our children. Heather is married to her long time love Will Puckett. They have 2 rowdy boys, Brayden & Cason and one angel baby, Blakely. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, children and close family/friends. She enjoys being active in her home church (Mt. Zion Baptist), anything sports related and taking adventures with her family. Heather is dedicated to serving the children in the community and hopes to provide a stepping stone for the children to continue to grow on.
SUB - COMMITTEE
Kelly Harris is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Structural Cardiology Program Coordinator with CaroMont Heart and Vascular. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and graduate degree from the University of Southern Indiana. Kelly has served as the Lead Advance Care Practitioner for CaroMont Heart and Vascular fro the past five years and previously served as the Chairman of the Advanced Care Practitioner Council. When she isn't working with cardiac patients she spends most of her time with her husband, Dan and tried to keep up with her three rambunctious children: Dane, Sadie and Luke. Kelly is dedicated to aid and encourage the development of our youth in our community. She believes sports should be an outlet for children and it gives them a chance to be creative, exercise, and learn how to succeed and fail.
Maegan Carpenter-Whiddon is a native of Cherryville, NC. She attended high school at CHS, (GO IRONMEN) and college at Appalachian State University (GO MOUNTAINEERS)! Maegan and her husband Harley enjoy traveling, attending church, and playing/watching sports. She is a mother to three boys named, Brody, Talen and Nolan. She believes getting kids involved in sports inspires youth determination, builds character and leadership skills, and allows them to be a part of something bigger. Being a parent is fun but watching your child grow playing a sport they love is priceless!
Harley Whiddon graduated from Cherryville High School in 2007, then joined the military. He is a Marine Corps Veteran and currently working as a Lineman in Charlotte, NC. He enjoys coaching his three sons throughout the year, and spending time with his wife, Maegan Carpenter-Whiddon, and boys. His favorite sport is football with baseball a close second. Harley believes in serving the youth and getting more kids involved in sports every year. He enjoys watching teammates become stronger, and encourages individual growth for later life skills. Harley inspires every parent/guardian to sign their child up for sports, and watch them as an athlete and a person.
William "Will" Puckett was born and raised in Gaston County. He grew up in Stanley, North Carolina and graduated from East Gaston High School in 2005. He is married to a Cherryville native Heather Puckett. They have 2 boys Brayden and Cason and 1 angel daughter Blakely. In his younger years he worked for the Stanley Recreation department under Tug Deason who has an impeccable program. He learned all about the commitment it takes to have a successful organization. Speaking of commitment, will has been enlisted in the United States Air Force with the Charlotte Air National Guard for over 16 years. He is a Master Sergeant/E-7 who works full time as the North Carolina Air National Guard and serves as the Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent. He has been deployed 3 different times, two to Afghanistan and one to Kuwait.
He has always loved all kinds of youth sports because that is where the fundamentals of every aspect fo the game and life come into play. He loves to work with kids and teach them not only the fundamentals of football or basketball, but also the fundamentals of life. He loves teaching the value of teamwork, integrity, and most importantly respect. Some of those same values he took an oath to. He is grateful for having the opportunity to be president of the Cherryville Little Ironmen program and will work extended hours to make it a program that will foster the values that will help kids further their educational goals and instill the characteristics of a professional whether on or off the field. He looks forward to growing a professional organization that everyone feels welcomed too. GO IRONMEN!!!
VICE PRESIDENT
Dan Harris is from Mount Holly where he attended Gaston County Schools through 12th grade. Before graduating, Dan began his career in Public Safety as a Volunteer Firefighter. Dan then transitioned to working as an Emergency Medical Technician for Gaston Emergency Medical Services and Gaston Life Saving Rescue Squad. While working in the Emergency Medical Service, Dan met his wife Kelly Harris. In early 2006 Dan started his career in Law Enforcement at Gaston County Sheriff’s Office where he would stay for almost 5 years. In late 2007 Dan and Kelly got happily married in Mexico. In late 2010 Dan left the Sheriff’s Office and started working at Cramerton Police Department as a Patrol Officer and has now rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant. Dan and Kelly have 3 crazy kids, Dane, Sadie and Luke that all attend Cherryville Schools. They all play different sports and are all actively involved in the Cherryville Little Ironmen Program. Dan has been involved with Cherryville Little Ironmen Booster Club and Cherryville Little League for several years now. Dan enjoys being a part of this program because at the end of the season you look at the kids and see how much they have grown physically and mentally.
SECRETARY
Hannah Garrett is proud to serve as Secretary for the Cherryville Little Ironmen. Born and raised a mountain girl from Mitchell County, she moved to Gaston County in 2012 when she married her husband, Scott. They reside in Cherryville with their two kids, Ashley and Joey, and attend church at First Wesleyan of Cherryville. Hannah is employed at Carpenter-Porter Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Hannah enjoys being involved in the community. She serves as Chaplain of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #100, serves on the Board of Directors for Cherryville Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Chamber City Events Team. Hannah is most comfortable wearing a smile and confidence and she aspires to instill that mindset with the kids of this program. She brings big energy wherever she goes and loves to cheer for all the athletes. Hannah loves to share her joy, love, and praise with every single one of the kiddos. She believes sports are important in children’s lives because they allow them to channel their energy, provides mental clarity, teaches accountability, gives them attainable goals, and allows them to be part of something bigger. The smiles on the faces of kids, whether from making a good play, hitting a goal, or simply hearing their name cheered on from the stands, is worth the hours invested in this organization. WHO ARE WE?! IRONMEN!
TREASURER
CHEER COORDINATOR
Heather Puckett is an Exceptional Children's Teacher for Cleveland County Schools. Heather has a love for serving all students but her passion is for working with students who have Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. "See the ability, not the disability." Heather received her undergraduate from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Heather is a native of Cherryville and believes the best way to give back to the community is through serving our children. Heather is married to her long time love Will Puckett. They have 2 rowdy boys, Brayden & Cason and one angel baby, Blakely. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, children and close family/friends. She enjoys being active in her home church (Mt. Zion Baptist), anything sports related and taking adventures with her family. Heather is dedicated to serving the children in the community and hopes to provide a stepping stone for the children to continue to grow on.
SUB - COMMITTEE
Kelly Harris is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Structural Cardiology Program Coordinator with CaroMont Heart and Vascular. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and graduate degree from the University of Southern Indiana. Kelly has served as the Lead Advance Care Practitioner for CaroMont Heart and Vascular fro the past five years and previously served as the Chairman of the Advanced Care Practitioner Council. When she isn't working with cardiac patients she spends most of her time with her husband, Dan and tried to keep up with her three rambunctious children: Dane, Sadie and Luke. Kelly is dedicated to aid and encourage the development of our youth in our community. She believes sports should be an outlet for children and it gives them a chance to be creative, exercise, and learn how to succeed and fail.
Maegan Carpenter-Whiddon is a native of Cherryville, NC. She attended high school at CHS, (GO IRONMEN) and college at Appalachian State University (GO MOUNTAINEERS)! Maegan and her husband Harley enjoy traveling, attending church, and playing/watching sports. She is a mother to three boys named, Brody, Talen and Nolan. She believes getting kids involved in sports inspires youth determination, builds character and leadership skills, and allows them to be a part of something bigger. Being a parent is fun but watching your child grow playing a sport they love is priceless!
Harley Whiddon graduated from Cherryville High School in 2007, then joined the military. He is a Marine Corps Veteran and currently working as a Lineman in Charlotte, NC. He enjoys coaching his three sons throughout the year, and spending time with his wife, Maegan Carpenter-Whiddon, and boys. His favorite sport is football with baseball a close second. Harley believes in serving the youth and getting more kids involved in sports every year. He enjoys watching teammates become stronger, and encourages individual growth for later life skills. Harley inspires every parent/guardian to sign their child up for sports, and watch them as an athlete and a person.