We Are Mitchell · Mitchell County, NC Government

Sibelco and the Sibelco Spruce Pine Foundation - Jac Fourie

·15 min·1 clip

Jack Forey reveals how Sebelco responded when Hurricane Helene devastated Mitchell County in just four hours.

This episode of We Are Mitchell features an interview with Jack Forey, the Executive Vice President of Sibelco's High Purity Quartz business. Host David Mitchell speaks with Forey about the company's role in the community following Hurricane Helene. Forey joined Sibelco in July 2023 and splits his time between Charlotte and Grassy Creek. The discussion centers on the hurricane's impact in September 2024, which caused widespread destruction in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties. Forey explains that while Sibelco's operations near Spruce Pine and Red Hill avoided major damage, many employees were personally affected. He details the immediate employee-led efforts to assist community members in need after the storm. The conversation also covers the company's actions to restart its operations and support broader recovery initiatives. A key focus is the establishment of the Sibelco Spruce Pine Foundation, created specifically in response to the hurricane. Forey describes the foundation's purpose to provide targeted, long-term support for local rebuilding and community needs. He emphasizes the profound sense of honor he feels from working alongside Sibelco employees during the crisis. The episode highlights the collective effort where employees prioritized aiding neighbors before focusing on business continuity. Forey shares his perspective on getting to know both the workforce and the wider community over his first ten months in the role. The narrative underscores the severe but localized nature of the disaster, which unfolded over roughly a four-hour period. The company's ability to resume operations relatively quickly is presented as a fortunate outcome amid the surrounding devastation. The tone is conversational and community-focused, blending a personal interview with a report on corporate citizenship. The style is educational, detailing the practical steps of disaster response and philanthropic foundation work. Listeners interested in local Western North Carolina news, corporate community engagement, or disaster recovery stories would appreciate this episode. Those seeking broader state politics, entertainment, or unrelated business topics might find it too geographically specific.

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