The new executive director of Folkmoot USA says she will have to “hit the ground running” in order to be prepared for this year’s festival in mid-July.

“I’ll need to get to know the volunteers, the committees and what is the vision for this year’s festival,” said Jamye Cooper, 45, an Asheville resident whose start date is April 18.

Cooper, originally from Canton, is currently chief financial officer for the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Council in Asheville. She was hired to replace long-time Folkmoot Executive Director Jackie Bolden, who resigned unexpectedly in November.

Folkmoot officials said Cooper’s expertise in financial affairs and her history with non-profits helped her stand out among the 47 applicants for the position.

“Her financial expertise was appealing. She was responsible for a $3 million budget at the Boy Scouts,” said interim executive director and search committee member George Escaravage. “We need to make Folkmoot financially secure.”

Folkmoot is in the midst of a $1 million capital campaign to help pay off the mortgage on the Folkmoot Friendship Center, add to its endowment and provide an infusion of operating capital. The campaign was put on hold after September’s flooding, both because Central Haywood High School moved into the Folkmoot building and because campaign leaders did not want to ask for money while flood needs were so immediate. The campaign will resume in the near future.

Cooper said she was attracted to the Folkmoot position for several reasons.

“I’ve worked for a number of nonprofits and I have strong ties to Haywood County,” she said. “Even though Folkmoot started after I moved away, it has a huge cultural and economic impact on the area. I’m very excited to be here.”

Edie Burnette, a long-time Folkmoot board member and volunteer, said she was glad to have Cooper on board.

“I think the fact that she has local ties is important,” said Burnette.

Cooper was an accountant for several firms in Maryland before returning to Western North Carolina in 1989.