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.
Jennifer Giovannitti (Class of 2005) has been named the next president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, effective in mid-October. She succeeds William P. “Pat” Getty who has overseen the philanthropy since 1999. Click here to read the full article.
After 34 years as a WV educator, Joseph R. Oliverio (Class of 2002) retired as Executive Director of RESA 5 (Regional Education Service Agency #5) and began work as Associate Principal for Warren Local School District in Ohio.
Jennifer Onks (Class of 2016) graduated with her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University in December 2018.
Amy Panzarella (Class of 2011) is now the President of the Rotary Club of Charles Town. She was also awarded the “2018 Chuck Ellison Distinguished Citizen of Jefferson County” designation. Chuck was a graduate of the LWV class of 2015.
Four Dolphins Press, publisher for the Sad Mad Glad Book series by Chuck Stump (Class of 2002) & Jim Strawn (Class of 2001), and Contemporary Youth Arts Company have teamed up to create, Sad Mad Glad: The Musical. Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde’s musical adaptation of Chuck Stump and Jim Strawn’s children’s books of the same name will debut on September 27, 2018. A dozen new songs with titles such as “Your Eyes, Your Nose, Your Skin, Your Toes,” “Why, Why, Why” “Pozz-itivity” and ‘Ya Gotcha Attitude” pack this hour-long jaunt written for children of all ages. Sad Mad Glad: The Musical had 10 performances at the CYAC Theater in the Charleston Town Center Mall and also performed at the WV Reading Association Conference on November 16, at the Greenbrier Resort.
In 2016, Alisha Maddox and Jim Scott (both of the Class of 2014) formed the WV Visionary Group, a statewide 501c3 nonprofit organization. The WV Visionary Group aims to help students in West Virginia build strong values, leadership skills, and nurture relationships. Kids are paired with a local business mentor who can assist them in finding their own strength and confidence in order to succeed. Pilot programs and summer camps have taken place in targeted areas across the state this year. More info is available at wvforward.org.
Kris Warner (Class of 1996) is the State Director of USDA Rural Development in West Virginia. Mr. Warner was appointed by the Trump administration in November 2017. He brings more than 30 years of experience in residential, commercial and energy development to the position. As State Director, Warner will use his leadership experience to oversee Rural Development programs in a customer-focused manner to promote prosperity in rural West Virginia.
