2025 Distinguished Citizens Dinner
Date/Time:
Location:
227 Campus Drive
Asheville, NC 28801
THE DANIEL BOONE COUNCIL DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS AWARD will be presented to Sara & Lou Bissette, Jr. at a dinner in honor of their outstanding contributions to their communities while exemplifying the values found in the Scout Oath and Law.
THE GOAL OF THIS EVENT is to bring top business leaders together to honor two extraordinary leaders and to raise the needed funds to support Scouting's programs that develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness. Proceeds from this event will be used to break down barriers to instill the values of the Scout Oath & Law in the youth of our hardest to serve communities.
W. LOUIS BISSETTE, JR. is a respected lawyer, banker, and civic leader from Statesville. He received his B.A. from Wake Forest University, his J.D. from UNC School of Law, his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia School of Business & an honorary Doctorate of Laws from UNC Asheville in 2020. His career includes key roles at McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A., Western Carolina Bank and Wachovia Bank. He served as Mayor of Asheville from 1985-1989, is on the Board of Trustees for UNC Asheville & Wake Forest University and over the years has held leadership roles at Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville Betterment Foundation, Daniel Boone Council and many others. He has received numerous awards, including the North Carolina Bar Association Centennial & Citizen-Lawyer Awards, UNC School of Law Lifetime Achievement Award and Wake Forest's Distinguished Alumni Award.
SARA BISSETTE has a rich background in community service and education. She has been an active member of the Junior League of Asheville, French Broad River Garden Club, City of Asheville Urban Trail Committee, and Friends of the Earth. She served as a teacher's assistant at Jones Elementary and Co-President of both Jones Elementary & Asheville High PTA's. Sara served as Chairwoman of the Board and a member of the Red Cross Board of NC, on Wake Forest Divinity School Board and has contributed to the YMCA and Manna Food Bank boards. Sara's been honored with the Betty Lou Davis Award from the Asheville Red Cross.
Together, Louis & Sara Bissette continue to contribute to their community, upholding a legacy of service & leadership. They have two children, Louis III and Thomas Anderson, as well as five grandchildren: Hayes, Davis, Bernice, Addie, and Eloise.