PRESIDENTS & EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

John C. Collins

John S. Huyler

James R. Howerton

James D. Murphy

Robert Campbell Anderson

John Rupert McGregor

Frank L. Jackson

Calvin Grier Davis

Silas M. Vaughn

Monroe (Monk) Ashley

Sam R. Hope

Wm. (Bill) Peterson

W. Kirk Allen

William S. Dunifon

R. James Henderson

Emile H. Dieth, Jr.

George F. Barber, III

Albert G. (Pete) Peery

Richard DuBose

MOUNTAIN RETREAT ASSOCIATION
MONTREAT CONFERENCE CENTER

PRESIDENTS & EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Leaders of the Mountain Retreat Association and Montreat Conference Center all have had to deal with difficult economic times, tensions within the church, promotion of what would become the largest Presbyterian conference center, and the business of running a non-profit.

Below are the people who have led the MRA/MCC (the title sometimes shifted back and forth between President and Executive Director), including four interim or acting presidents (or executive directors) of lengthy terms (six months or more):

Rev. John C. Collins
March 25, 1897 – November 30, 1899

John S. Huyler
November 30, 1899 – August 21, 1906

Rev. Dr. James R. Howerton
August 21, 1906 – December 31, 1907
While Howerton retained the title as President at the request of the board during 1908 and 1909, he was not active in running the operations. James D. Murphy served in effect as Acting President during this period.

Judge James D. Murphy 
January 1, 1907 – August 25, 1909 (Acting President)
August 25, 1909 – August 11, 1911 (President)

Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell Anderson
August 11, 1911 – December 31, 1946

Rev. Dr. John Rupert McGregor
January 1, 1947 – June 1, 1957

Frank L. Jackson
August 7, 1957 – October 6, 1959 (Acting President)

Rev. Dr. Calvin Grier Davis
October 6, 1959 – May 31, 1972

Silas Max. Vaughn, Ph.D.*
June 1, 1972 – September 20, 1975
*continued as President of Montreat College

Monroe Maston (Monk) Ashley
Sept. 20, 1975 – Sept. 30, 1979

Rev. Dr. Samuel (Sam) R. Hope
October 1, 1979 – December 31, 1984

Rev. Dr. H. William (Bill) Peterson
June 1, 1985 – March 1995

Rev. W. Kirk Allen
April – December 1995 (Interim Executive Director)

Rev. William S. Dunifon, Ph.D.
January 1, 1996 – July 1, 1997

James Henderson
July 25, 1997 – April 30, 1998 and Feb. 24, 2003 – Sept. 20, 2003 (Interim Executive Director & President)

Emile H. Dieth, Jr.
May 1, 1998 – Feb. 18, 2003

George F. Barber, III
Sept. 21, 2003 – Feb. 15, 2008

Albert G. (Pete) Peery
Nov. 3, 2008 – 2014

Richard DuBose
Nov. 17, 2014 – present