Chastan Swain

Chastan Swain serves as the executive director of Hometown Strong. In this role, Chastan manages rural policy and programming initiatives, including the Come Hear NC Music Communities and NC Student Connect programs. Previously, he has served as a policy and legal analyst in the Administration and Land and Water Stewardship divisions at NC DNCR, as a legal analyst in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities at NC DHHS, and as a program associate at Blue Ridge Conservancy.

A native of Belews Creek, Chastan graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in fine arts and later received his law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. In his spare time, Chastan enjoys exploring the mountains of western North Carolina, throwing pottery, and gardening with his vizsla and chickens in Durham, NC.