Marla moved from Arizona to Asheville, North Carolina in 1981 as a newlywed. She was employed by Northwestern Bank as a proof operator until 1982 when she transferred to Franklin. A couple of years later Marla went to work for Smoky Mountain Security Systems, now Smoky Mountain Systems, Inc. Her goal was to work in her preferred field of accounting. While taking care of the bookkeeping Marla discovered she enjoyed assisting customers with questions and/or problems. She is now the Technical Support Coordinator/Customer Support and the Accounting Supervisor for their seven corporations including three Radio Shack locations. Marla has earned multiple certificates in the telecommunication/networking industry in the past twenty years and still continues her education in the telecommunications/networking fields.

Marla is the Past President of Macon County Habitat for Humanity and has served on their board for over five years. She is a founding member of the Foundation for Angel Medical Center. Marla is serving as Club President of the Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club, having served as their Treasurer for three years and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Marla is a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Council and the Respect Life Committee. Marla and her husband Charles “Dom” D’Ascoli have five children most of whom still live in Franklin and work in their parents’ enterprises. From the time Marla’s children became involved in community sports to their current involvement with charitable organizations, Marla has been supporting a multitude of fund raising events including Rose sales, Spaghetti Dinners, Shrimp Boils, and Church Festivals.

When asked to join the Foundation Board, Marla thought how Angel Medical Center has made substantial improvements in the appearance and most important the services they offer. “When my last three children were born they had to be delivered in Sylva because there was not an OB/GYN at Angel Medical Center. Since that time Angel has worked very hard on recruiting doctors and providing quality care. I would like to be of help by working on the Foundation for Angel Medical Center Board to promote the hospital and support them in their continued improvements to the community.”