Forest City, January 8, 2026 –The Partnership for Children of the Foothills announces the retirement of longtime Executive Director Barry Gold, who is concluding an extraordinary 26-year tenure marked by transformational growth, regional collaboration, and lasting impact for children and families across Rutherford, Polk, and McDowell counties.
Under Gold’s leadership, the Partnership evolved into a cornerstone organization for early childhood development in the region. During his tenure, he
successfully guided the agency and board through two mergers with neighboring Partnerships for Children in McDowell and Polk counties, strengthening services and expanding the network across a three-county area.
Gold also played a pivotal role in securing and expanding critical resources for families. He wrote or co-wrote more than $7 million in grant funding, supporting initiatives such as the Nurse-Family Partnership Program, dental care services for low-income children, an 18-county Regional Resilience Initiative, and emergency funding to assist local licensed child care facilities during times of crisis—including the COVID-19 pandemic and damage caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
One of Gold’s most celebrated achievements was the dramatic expansion of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library across the Partnership’s service area. Through this effort, the Partnership distributed more than 40,000 books each year to preschool-aged children in Rutherford, Polk, and McDowell counties, helping foster early literacy and a love of reading during children’s most formative years.
“Barry’s leadership has left an indelible mark on this organization and on generations of children and families,” said Jen Pace-Dickenson, Chair of the Partnership for Children of the Foothills Board of Directors. “His vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit have shaped who we are today and positioned us well for the future.”
As the Partnership celebrates Gold’s legacy, it also looks ahead with confidence, welcoming Vanessa Parton as its new Executive Director.
Parton brings more than two decades of experience in child-focused service provision, education, and community partnership development. Prior to her new role, she served as Director of the Child Advocacy Center at Family Resources of Rutherford County, where she managed the Center’s operations while performing the critical role of interviewing alleged child abuse victims. Parton maintained a leadership role on Rutherford County’s multidisciplinary team, strengthened community collaborations, and championed services that support children’s safety, well-being, and long-term success.
A resident of Rutherford County since 2003, Parton cares deeply about the community and is passionate about helping children reach their full potential. She believes that strong communities are built through compassion, support and meaningful connections, and she strives to contribute in ways that truly make a difference.
“I am honored to follow in Barry Gold’s footsteps and grateful for the strong foundation he built at the Partnership for Children of the Foothills, ” said Parton. “I plan to honor his legacy by encouraging growth, providing support, and advocating for children and families, knowing that when families are strengthened, children are empowered to succeed with confidence. I am excited to work alongside our board, staff and community partners to continue and grow this important work.”
Gold expressed confidence in the organization’s future leadership, noting that the Partnership is well-positioned to continue advancing its mission of ensuring children are healthy, safe, and ready to succeed.
The Partnership for Children of the Foothills remains committed to building strong early childhood systems that support families and promote healthy child development throughout the region.
About Partnership for Children of the Foothills
With support from NC Smart Start Initiative, Partnership for Children of the Foothills provides programs for children ages 0-5 and their families in the areas of Childcare/Education and Family Support. The Partnership builds and sustains relationships with community agencies and service providers, offering creative and unique programs for preschool children and their families, licensed childcare centers and family childcare. For more information, visit: PFCFoothills.org
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