Lea Blackwood

I grew up spending summers with my grandparents in Asheville, exploring the mountains and going downtown to eat and hear live music. I always knew that I wanted to live in the mountains one day, and after graduating high school in 1998, I moved to Asheville from my hometown of Columbia, SC to attend Warren Wilson College. After graduating in 2002, I stayed in Asheville because of all of the things that make this place so special: the art and live music, the delicious food, and, of course, the beauty of the mountains.

I have only grown to love Western North Carolina even more since having a family. There are a ton of great schools and the local culture is very kid (and dog!) friendly. My husband, Ted (also an Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks Realtor!), and I have loved raising our two sons (now teenagers) in Asheville. They have gotten a great education in our local schools, where they both learned Spanish through the immersion curriculum beginning in kindergarten. They have been able to roam the woods and experience all of the art, food, and culture that Asheville has to offer.

When I’m not busy working, I enjoy spending time exploring the beautiful outdoors with my family. I also love wandering through art galleries, going to tailgate markets, and going to see live music and comedy shows. Traveling is a passion of mine, with some of my favorite trips having been to Barcelona, Palenque, and Big Bend National Park. I am an active volunteer in my community and believe in giving back to those in need. I serve as secretary on the board of Rosscraggon Wood, a local nature preserve and spent many years reading to preschoolers through a library outreach program.