Zachary Allman
Vivian Basdekis
Benjamin Berry
Susan Bissett
Ken Bissett
Greg Bolles
Anne Bolyard
Sarah Bolyard
Matt Bond
Jennifer Bostian
Shelly Carenbauer
Heidi Edwards
Amy Everson
Patrick Flora
Antoinette Geyer
Adam Gissy
Craig Glover
Crystal Good
Megan Hannah
Shannon Huber
Alicha Hunt
David Hutchison
Dusty Jones
Nick Keller
Benjamin Lewis
Hugo Casarin Pereira
Natalie Luppold
Timothy McKenzie
Mathew McVay
Kameron Miller
Rick Mogielski
James Myers, III
Erin Newmeyer
JP Owens
Hampton Rose
Adrienne Samples
Joey Sams
Zach Sensabaugh
Jessica Silber-Westfall
Arie Spitz
Kevin Stalnaker
Ashley Stephens
Ryan Stoner
Rich Sutphin
Ryan Thorn
Aaron Walker
Melissa Wandling
Lisa Wood
Vivian Basdekis
Benjamin Berry
Susan Bissett
Ken Bissett
Greg Bolles
Anne Bolyard
Sarah Bolyard
Matt Bond
Jennifer Bostian
Shelly Carenbauer
Heidi Edwards
Amy Everson
Patrick Flora
Antoinette Geyer
Adam Gissy
Craig Glover
Crystal Good
Megan Hannah
Shannon Huber
Alicha Hunt
David Hutchison
Dusty Jones
Nick Keller
Benjamin Lewis
Hugo Casarin Pereira
Natalie Luppold
Timothy McKenzie
Mathew McVay
Kameron Miller
Rick Mogielski
James Myers, III
Erin Newmeyer
JP Owens
Hampton Rose
Adrienne Samples
Joey Sams
Zach Sensabaugh
Jessica Silber-Westfall
Arie Spitz
Kevin Stalnaker
Ashley Stephens
Ryan Stoner
Rich Sutphin
Ryan Thorn
Aaron Walker
Melissa Wandling
Lisa Wood
Class of 2022

Ryan Thorn
State Director, West Virginia
USDA Rural Development
1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101
Morgantown , West Virginia 26505
Born, raised, and educated in West Virginia, Ryan Thorn grew up the son of a coal miner and learned early in life the importance of hard work, serving others, and dedication to creating opportunities for rural communities. He has 15 years of professional experience in the private and public sectors, working in the fields of public and government affairs and economic development. On March 17, 2022, President Biden appointed Thorn to serve as State Director of Rural Development in West Virginia for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of rural development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, high-poverty areas.Prior to his appointment at USDA Rural Development, he served more than five years as Economic Development Manager for the Office of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV). In this role, he worked with local, state, and federal stakeholders to attract new and expand existing businesses, strengthen public infrastructure, develop a skilled and ready workforce, and create economically diverse and resilient communities across the state. Thorn is the first in his immediate family to graduate from college and is an advocate for lifelong learning. He holds a masters degree from West Virginia University, a bachelors degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and is a board member of the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Foundation. He resides in Charleston with his partner Bria and their seventy pound golden retriever Magnolia Rose.
Browse Current Class Roster
Zachary Allman
Vivian Basdekis
Benjamin Berry
Susan Bissett
Ken Bissett
Greg Bolles
Anne Bolyard
Sarah Bolyard
Matt Bond
Jennifer Bostian
Shelly Carenbauer
Heidi Edwards
Amy Everson
Patrick Flora
Antoinette Geyer
Adam Gissy
Craig Glover
Crystal Good
Megan Hannah
Shannon Huber
Alicha Hunt
David Hutchison
Dusty Jones
Nick Keller
Benjamin Lewis
Hugo Casarin Pereira
Natalie Luppold
Timothy McKenzie
Mathew McVay
Kameron Miller
Rick Mogielski
James Myers, III
Erin Newmeyer
JP Owens
Hampton Rose
Adrienne Samples
Joey Sams
Zach Sensabaugh
Jessica Silber-Westfall
Arie Spitz
Kevin Stalnaker
Ashley Stephens
Ryan Stoner
Rich Sutphin
Ryan Thorn
Aaron Walker
Melissa Wandling
Lisa Wood
Vivian Basdekis
Benjamin Berry
Susan Bissett
Ken Bissett
Greg Bolles
Anne Bolyard
Sarah Bolyard
Matt Bond
Jennifer Bostian
Shelly Carenbauer
Heidi Edwards
Amy Everson
Patrick Flora
Antoinette Geyer
Adam Gissy
Craig Glover
Crystal Good
Megan Hannah
Shannon Huber
Alicha Hunt
David Hutchison
Dusty Jones
Nick Keller
Benjamin Lewis
Hugo Casarin Pereira
Natalie Luppold
Timothy McKenzie
Mathew McVay
Kameron Miller
Rick Mogielski
James Myers, III
Erin Newmeyer
JP Owens
Hampton Rose
Adrienne Samples
Joey Sams
Zach Sensabaugh
Jessica Silber-Westfall
Arie Spitz
Kevin Stalnaker
Ashley Stephens
Ryan Stoner
Rich Sutphin
Ryan Thorn
Aaron Walker
Melissa Wandling
Lisa Wood
Class of 2022

Ryan Thorn
State Director, West Virginia
USDA Rural Development
1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101
Morgantown , West Virginia 26505
Born, raised, and educated in West Virginia, Ryan Thorn grew up the son of a coal miner and learned early in life the importance of hard work, serving others, and dedication to creating opportunities for rural communities. He has 15 years of professional experience in the private and public sectors, working in the fields of public and government affairs and economic development. On March 17, 2022, President Biden appointed Thorn to serve as State Director of Rural Development in West Virginia for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of rural development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, high-poverty areas.Prior to his appointment at USDA Rural Development, he served more than five years as Economic Development Manager for the Office of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV). In this role, he worked with local, state, and federal stakeholders to attract new and expand existing businesses, strengthen public infrastructure, develop a skilled and ready workforce, and create economically diverse and resilient communities across the state. Thorn is the first in his immediate family to graduate from college and is an advocate for lifelong learning. He holds a masters degree from West Virginia University, a bachelors degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and is a board member of the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Foundation. He resides in Charleston with his partner Bria and their seventy pound golden retriever Magnolia Rose.