contributors
Jamie Null
Jamie Null is the executive director for the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau . An awardwinning journalist with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph , she joined the tourism industry in 2014 . A graduate of both Bluefield College and Concord University , she holds bachelor ’ s degrees in print journalism and English literature and enjoys running , traveling and promoting West Virginia .
Portia Smith
Portia Smith was born and raised on the eastern Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines before she moved to West Virginia in 2012 , where she currently lives with her family . Smith is passionate about helping others and co-founded the nonprofit organization Angels Inspired , Inc . during her time as a student at West Virginia State University ( WVSU ). She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in English with a professional writing emphasis and a minor in Spanish from WVSU and a master ’ s degree in communications from Walden University . She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration degree with a self-design focus in marketing , leadership and social impact management .
Katlin Swisher , Ph . D .
Katlin Swisher , Ph . D ., is the assistant director of marketing and communications for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and an instructor of journalism at West Virginia University ( WVU ). She also volunteers as a professional mentor for students and is a member of the Women ’ s Leadership Initiative . She holds a Ph . D . and master ’ s degree in higher education administration and a bachelor ’ s degree in journalism from WVU . In her spare time , she enjoys playing the clarinet and traveling the world with the WVU Alumni Band .
Tracy Toler
Tracy Toler scaled
Seneca Rocks at the age of 5 and has been reaching new heights ever since . Through his business , Tracy A . Toler Photography , he has served as creative director and feature photographer for many of the region ’ s largest magazines . Known as Mr . McGyver , he can fix anything with a bobby pin , rubber band or Swiss Army knife . Toler may be reached at tracytoler @ yahoo . com .
Kristen Uppercue
Kristen Uppercue is a graduate student at West Virginia University pursuing a master ’ s degree in integrated marketing communications . Serving as the student editor and graduate assistant for 100 Days in Appalachia , the Martinsburg native curates content for the digital publication from publishing partners and affiliates . Uppercue also assists local businesses in keeping up with their online and social media presence . She enjoys traveling and photography and spends most of her free time behind a camera .
Jackie Whetzel
Jackie Whetzel , a native of Fayette County , WV , is a freelance reporter who holds a bachelor ’ s degree in journalism from West Virginia University . She has worked as a reporter for The Register- Herald and the New York Daily News and as a writer and research analyst for former U . S . Congressman Nick Rahall in Washington , D . C . Today , Whetzel enjoys writing and editing for various media outlets throughout the country . She currently resides in Charlotte , NC , but travels home to West Virginia often to visit family , friends or her old stomping grounds in Morgantown when she can catch a game .
MEET THE STAFF
Kensie Hamilton Fauber
Kensie Hamilton Fauber is the publisher and owner of Executive Ink , LLC , the publishing company for West Virginia Executive and its sister publications . She holds bachelor ’ s degrees in corporate communications and journalism from Elon University . She is a graduate of the Leadership West Virginia Class of 2015 , the 2015 FBI Citizens Academy and the 2016-2017 class of Leadership Mon . In 2017 , she graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program . She lives in Elkview , WV , with her husband , Adam ; her daughter , Quinn ; and her twin sons , Cavan and Kieran . She may be reached at kmh @ wvexecutive . com .
Amanda Larch
Amanda Larch is the production manager for West Virginia Executive . A Hurricane , WV , native , she is a recent Marshall University graduate and holds a bachelor ’ s degree in print journalism . She previously worked as an intern for The Herald-Dispatch and served as executive editor for Marshall ’ s student newspaper , The Parthenon . In her free time , she enjoys reading , antiquing , hiking and spending time with her cat , Annie . She may be reached at ajl @ wvexecutive . com .
Interested in pitching a story or being a contributor ? For story pitches , submit at least 100 words by email explaining the main points of the suggested story . Freelance writers should submit writing samples and a résumé . For more information , contact Samantha Cart at sdc @ wvexecutive . com .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE