Originally from Buffalo, New York, Ron moved to Asheville in July, 1996.  His background is in community organizing and nonprofits. His last paid position was as Community Fund Director for the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County; he retired in the summer of 2016 after 17 years.

Ron currently focuses much of his time on issues of social justice. He created and administers the website WNC Social Justice Advocacy Guide which connects those interested in social justice public policy with nonpartisan organizations working on eighteen social justice issues. He currently edits an e-newsletter on Voting & Democracy Rights for WNC and is focused on those issues in 2024. He is also the lead for the Carolina Jews for Justice west chapter for Democracy Rights. In his spare time, Ron likes to take advantage of the outdoors here in the mountains.  That includes tennis, hiking, and gardening.