News

During a recent Leadership West Virginia (LWV) Board of Directors meeting, five representatives of former classes were voted in as board members. Jim Nemitz, Amy Panzarella, Greg Hefner, Nick Oxley, and Patrick O’Malley join the now 24-member board and will support initiatives aimed to guide the organization in its mission to grow, engage, and mobilize…

Rob Aliff 2006 Beth Amandus Baker 2018 Bill Bissett 2018 Elaine Bobo 2018 Kevin Brackens 2019 Brett Brewer 2017 Christina Brumley 2017 Margi Bush 2011 Carl Cannon 2014 Phillip Cantrell 2019 Gail Carter 2013 Beth Casey 2010 Cindy Chamberlin 2019 David Clayman 1998 Trey Clohan 2019 Dale Clowser 2000 Avon Cobourne 2019 Bobbie Conklin 2011…

American Electric Power Foundation has committed $5,000 annually for five years to Leadership West Virginia (LWV). The money will go toward program fees and expenses for one qualified participant in an upcoming LWV program as part of the AEP Foundation’s Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship initiative. Click the link for the full press release. AEP Foundation’s…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Leadership West Virginia (LWV) has released a revised 2020 class schedule. In-person sessions will kick off September 17 in Fayetteville with the Tourism/Leadership Session. The class of 40 individuals have met virtually since March and will continue to do so for the next few months.

Leadership West Virginia has been monitoring news related to the Coronavirus carefully and is following suggested guidance related to closures and cancellations.

At this time Leadership West Virginia has decided to cancel the session and reception that was to be held next week in Charleston. The session will be rescheduled and that date and information will be circulated as soon as possible.

The Capital Region Alumni Chapter will continue hosting quarterly “Leadership First” alumni events in 2020. We ask that you make it a priority (i.e. put LWV first) each quarter to attend these events.

Fifty-seven leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 2020 Class of Leadership West Virginia (LWV). Class participants were selected from a list of applicants submitted in late 2019.

Dear Leadership West Virginia classes, friends and supporters: We’re excited to offer new Leadership West Virginia merchandise! New apparel, home goods, and more available at https://leadershipwvonlinestore.com. Proceeds from the sales benefit scholarships for future classes of Leadership West Virginia.

We encourage LWV Alumni to join us at this last session to celebrate the graduating class and reunite with fellow grads! We have a few different options for you to choose from.  Come to one or all of the LWV events open to alumni!

Dr. Lydotta M. Taylor is the Founder, President, and CEO of The EdVenture Group, Inc. Beginning as a high school math teacher, Dr. Taylor has built a career through her passion to teach and lead others. An entrepreneur at heart, she founded The EdVenture Group, an educational consulting non-profit, in 2001.

Don’t forget to SAVE THE DATES for LWV events coming up before the end of the year. November 15 – LWV Distinguished Alumnus Reception with WVE Young Guns November 20 – LWV Charleston Area Alumni Session Reception November 22 – 2019 Class Graduation December 31 – End of 2019 LWV Giving Campaign. Donate here.

Leadership West Virginia tentative 2020 program dates are as follows: 

Welcome & Leadership Orientation: March 19-20

Education: April 16-17

Economic Development: May 14-15

Tourism: June 18-19

Justice System: July 16-17

Energy: September 17 & 18

An LWV graduate will be recognized with the LWV Distinguished Alumnus Award on November 15, 2019. Please take a few minutes to nominate a worthy candidate! The deadline for nominating a recipient is October 8, 2019. The Distinguished Alumnus Award will recognize a graduate of the program whose continued leadership activities have demonstrated the highest standards of LWV and set an example for aspiring leaders.

Eileen Clark (2019) has been busy with speaking engagements. In April, she spoke at the 31st Annual Quest for Excellence Conference on Cybersecurity. In May, she was on a CIO panel at the HFMA (healthcare financial management association) West Virginia Chapter where they discussed patient engagement strategies and cybersecurity.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Fifty-seven leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 2019 Class of Leadership West Virginia. Candidates were selected from a list of applicants submitted in late 2018.

Shentel Foundation Commits $50,000 to Leadership West Virginia

Five-year commitment will support scholarships, events and other program activities

(Charleston, W.Va.) – The Shentel Foundation, a part of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (“Shentel”) (NASDAQ: SHEN) and based in Edinburg, Va., today announced a $50,000 commitment to Leadership West Virginia (LWV) over the next five years, deeming it the first Diamond Sponsor of the program in 2019.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2018 LEADERSHIP WEST VIRGINIA 2018 CLASS UNVEILS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AIMED UNITING WEST VIRGINIANS AROUND A COMMON THEME – #CHOOSEWV Charleston, WV – Leadership West Virginia’s Class of 2018 has kicked off a campaign, #ChooseWV, which is aimed at uniting West Virginians at home and across the country around a common…

Roberta “Robbie” Baylor (Class of 2017) was presented with the Local Leadership Award at the 2018 West Virginia Brownfields Conference held at the Charleston Civic Center September 5-7.

The Leadership West Virginia Annual Giving Campaign is almost over!  Thank you to the givers who have already contributed this year. We have less than $5,000 left to raise to reach our goal. We ask each alumnus to consider giving in any amount. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Call for Applications: Leadership West Virginia Class of 2019

Are you an experienced leader in your industry or community and looking for opportunities to make a statewide impact or expand your professional network? Are you passionate about West Virginia issues and looking to strengthen your leadership skills? Leadership West Virginia is made for you!

Every class strives to be the BEST CLASS EVER and it’s time again for some friendly competition. Between now and the end of 2018, your class can earn points to win the title which will be announced prior to the 2019 State of the State Reception.

Please join us at the West Virginia Chamber Business Summit. August 29, 2018 – August 31, 2018Special Offer for First Time LWV Business Summit AttendeesFor alumni who have never attended the West Virginia Business Summit LWV is excited to share an opportunity with you!

Mark Barnes (Class of 2012) is currently serving as vice-chairman of the board of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  He is also chairing their Centennial Committee, which is a planning and organizing committee to celebrate the Harrison County Chamber’s 100 years of service next year – 2019!

Announcing the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient James Hoyer  LWV Class of 2015   James Hoyer currently serves as the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, where he leads more than 6,500 men and women of the West Virginia National Guard. He is responsible for the training, development, readiness, and safety of these Citizen-Soldiers and…

Leadership West Virginia wants to know what you have done since your program experience. As an alumnus of our program, you have the unique vantage on what you’re doing to advance your region and the state. Your answers to the following questions will help us better understand the influence your program experience has had on…

Alumni Updates! Kris Klingler (Class of 2016) is now the Territory Manager for Mabscott Supply in the Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg area. View more!!

Fifty-seven leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 2018 Class of Leadership West Virginia. Candidates were selected from a pool of applicants submitted in late 2017. Welcome incoming class members:  Elizabeth Amandus, Jackson Kelly PLLC (Charleston) Craig Baker, The Thrasher Group (Bridgeport) Bill Bissett, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce (Huntington)…

Watch a video about Leadership West Virginia Lifetime Investors.

Patrick Kelly LWV Class of 1994 Patrick Kelly practiced law statewide in West Virginia for more than 20 years, including more than two years as General Counsel for the Governor of West Virginia. Pat is a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia Health Care Association.…

LWV Has A New Mission Statement: Leadership West Virginia is an innovative program that grows, engages and mobilizes leaders to ignite a lifelong passion to move West Virginia forward. We ask our Alumni and friends to help as we continue to grow for the next 25 years through your gifts and increased involvement. You can…

Every class strives to be the BEST CLASS EVER and it’s time again for some friendly competition. Between now and the end of 2017, your class can earn points to win the title which will be announced during the 2018 State of the State Reception. The first thing you can do to gain points for…

Members of the 2017 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in Morgantown on April 19 – 21, for the Education Session hosted by session partner Dow. On April 20, alumni are encouraged to join us for the LWV Forum of Ideas competition which will be held during the upcoming session. Details of that event can…

Fifty-seven leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 2017 Class of Leadership West Virginia. Candidates were selected from a list of applicants submitted in late 2016. To view the list please click LWV 2017 Class announcement.doc.

LWV would like to thank our 25th Anniversary headline sponsor, AEP, and additional sponsors: BrickStreet Insurance Buzz Food Service City National Bank Dinsmore Leah Vance Photography  We’d also like to thank all of our 25th Anniversary donors. Rob Aliff, ’06 Brian Allman, ’08 Laura Ellis, ’99 Jim Fawcett, ’07 Emily Fisher, ’08 C.D. Linton, ’10 Helen…

LWV is pleased to announce the 2016 LWV Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, Beth Walker – Class of 1999. Beth Walker practiced law statewide in West Virginia for more than 25 years, first with the Bowles Rice firm and than as Associate General Counsel with the West Virginia United Health System, Inc. (WVU Medicine). On May 10,…

Members of the 2016 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in White Sulphur Springs on October 26 – 28, for the Health Care Session hosted by the West Virginia Hospital Association. On Wednesday, October 26, LWV class members and alumni will be assisting in the Rebuilding Rainelle efforts. If you are interested in helping please contact Kate…

Do you have an idea to overcome one of the challenges faced by the Mountain State? What are our opportunities? Has being a part of LWV encouraged you to be more aware of statewide issues and foster a desire to make a difference? Share your solutions as part of the Leadership West Virginia Forum of Ideas…

Members of the 2016 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in Wheeling on September 14 – 16, for the Critical Issues: Marcellus Shale Session hosted by session partner Jackson Kelly. The LWV Northern Panhandle Alumni Chapter also invites the class and area alumni to attend a reception starting at 6:30 P.M. at the  Oglebay Chambers Cabin. Click…

On Friday, May 20, 2016 LWV from Alumni around the state spent the day serving their communities. This day, dubbed, ServeWV Day, was designed for local organizations and volunteers in the LWV Chapter areas to give back to our Great State of West Virginia by matching community projects with volunteers.   Nine projects were registered on the Serve WV website:…

 Media Contact  Alisha Maddox 304-419-0860 IMMEDIATE RELEASE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE PARTNERS WITH EDUCATORS & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR TECHNOLOGY NEEDS IN SCHOOLS A number of schools have suffered significant technology loss due to flooding (Charleston, W.Va.) – In light of the recent flooding that has devastated many areas across the state, members of the…

Next week, members of the 2016 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in Logan on May 11 – 13, for the third of eight leadership sessions held throughout the state. This session’s topic will look at the coal industry.   We would like to invite our alumni to attend a welcome reception the evening of…

Next week, members of the 2016 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in Martinsburg on April 20 – 22, for the second of eight leadership sessions held throughout the state.  The topic is Economic Development and Education.   We would like to invite our alumni to attend a welcome reception, sponsored by the LWV Eastern Panhandle…

IN CONJUNCTION WITH MOVING WEST VIRGINIA FORWARD SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING Leadership West Virginia is excited to once again partner with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce to host this year’s ResourceU: Moving West Virginia Forward  small business training series. In addition to learning the small business “how to,” LWV has included a leadership training piece…

Next week, members of the 2016 Leadership West Virginia class will convene in Charleston, March 24 & 25, for the first of eight leadership sessions held throughout the state. We would like to invite our alumni to attend the welcome reception, sponsored by the LWV Capitol Region Alumni Chapter, on Wednesday, March 23 beginning at…

Leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 2016 Class of Leadership West Virginia.  Candidates were selected from a list of nominations that was submitted in late 2015. Craig Behr, Citynet (Morgantown) Joe Canterbury, Logan Bank & Trust Company (Logan) Brittany Carns, Columbia Pipeline Group (Charleston) Tessa Carr, Arnett Carbis Toothman (Charleston)…