The Asheville Comedy Festival is one of the longest-running comedy events in the country.  Having featured nearly 700 comedians over 16 years, the event continues to grow and innovate. The festival is regarded as one of the most talent and comedy industry-friendly festivals year after year having supported most of the household names you know today.  Roaring into its 17th year August 6-9, 2025 there’s bigger and better still to come from the festival organizers including many surprise year-round special event performances.

Executive Director

Charlie Gerencer

Charlie Gerencer is an Asheville-based event producer and has produced comedy around the world and in some of the country’s most distinguished venues. He has been a comedy club owner, live event producer, and television producer. Through comedy television development deals with Lionsgate, Gerencer produced multiple projects including “The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale,” “Norm Macdonald Has a Show” for Netflix, “Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend” and many more. Most recently he Executive Produced and showran “The DL Hughley Show” and “DL Hughley Uncut” featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL network. He is also an active comedy development executive with several comedy streaming channels. He is the owner and Executive Director of Asheville Comedy Festival.

 

Front of House Producer

Suzie Shields

 

Suzie Shields is the head of front-of-house operations for the ACF team.  If you’re in her lobby she knows it and you’re getting a hug.  As part of the ACF family for nearly 13 years, Suzie’s attention to detail, customer service, and workflow are unparalleled assuring every single attendee, performer, or guest, the best comedy experience possible.

 
 

Andy Shields is the trainwreck Suzie married.  But it’s not her fault.  He truly is lovable.  The thing is…eh hemm.  Andy is the director of back-of-house operations for the festival's events and has been for 13 years.  Every detail, every minute of every show day, and every show is silk because of Andy’s undeniable skillset as a leader and his love for comedy and the live event experience

Back of House Producer

Andy Shields

 

Producers

Trevor & Sara Sharp

 

Trevor and Sara Sharp have been producers with the ACF family for over 10 years.  They are the collective glue that keeps Suzy from yelling at Andy during the festival.  Together they navigate logistics and details with every moving part of the festival.  The duo is unmatched with their love for comedy and passion for the most amazing festival every year.