Eric Gash was born and raised in Hendersonville, NC. Eric grew up attending public schools, and became a standout athlete during his time at Hendersonville High School. Eric earned a football scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was twice named to the All ACC Team. After a brief stint in the National Football League, Eric pursued a career in business. Work eventually took him to the island of Barbados where he met his wife Katy. After a downturn in the economy, Eric renewed his commitment to his faith and was commissioned a pastor, later becoming a missionary. Eventually though, the mountains of Western North Carolina called Eric home. So, Eric and his family relocated back to his hometown of Hendersonville where he became an educator and coach. Eric served as a math teacher, and Assistant Principal of Hendersonville High School and most recently, as the Principal of his childhood alma mater Bruce Drysdale Elementary. Eric is also the lead pastor of Speak Life Community church, a volunteer chaplain with the Hendersonville City Police Department, and serves on the board for the Henderson County Community Foundation. His wife, Katy, is a math teacher at Hendersonville Middle School, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2017. Their children, Kelan, Jacob and Maya are all graduates of Hendersonville High School and were active members of the local Boys and Girls Club.