Heywood considers his focus as managing partner to be threefold : to see that all clients and communities receive highquality services on a timely and consistent basis , to make sure every member of his team has the tools and resources necessary to do their best work and accomplish their career aspirations and dreams and to preserve and enhance the culture of Bowles Rice . This culture includes a commitment to Bowles Rice clients and the communities in which they operate .
“ Our mission is to contribute to the success of our clients and the vitality of our communities through advocacy , counsel , leadership and service ,” he says . “ The commitment to public service and civic engagement is what draws many of us to Bowles Rice and what keeps us here . We encourage everyone to follow their passion when it comes to involvement in charitable and civic endeavors , causes and organizations .”
Much like his mentors , Heywood follows these Bowles Rice principles at work and in his personal life . He serves on 10 committees at Bowles Rice , including his role as chair of the executive committee , and is also active on multiple boards and committees outside the firm .
“ I regard my active involvement in civic and charitable organizations across the region and state as important pro bono work ,” he says . “ It is a vital part of what I do and the source of a tremendous amount of personal and professional satisfaction .”
He serves a wide variety of organizations , initiatives and foundations , including the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation , Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation , Kanawha County Library Foundation , Martha Gaines and Russell Wehrle Memorial Foundation , West Virginia Manufacturers Association , Reconnecting McDowell and Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church .
Heywood credits Bowles Rice ’ s large , talented team of lawyers and professionals for allowing him to serve in a leadership role while also focusing on client work and his interests in state government . His legal practice includes general corporate and commercial law , health care law and government relations . As the head of the firm ’ s government relations team , he has been active in legislative and regulatory matters for more than 30 years and has participated in the drafting of hundreds of bills , rules and regulations .
“ I hope in some small way I have contributed to improvements in West Virginia ’ s fiscal condition and various agencies , programs and policies ,” he says . “ West Virginia has certainly improved dramatically in countless ways over the past 30 years in terms of the funding of longterm obligations , investments in education and improved infrastructure . This is somewhat of an untold and underappreciated story . It has been meaningful to me to have had the chance to work with
and support so many committed people in this journey of progress .”
A West Virginian by birth and by choice , Heywood is proud of the life and career he has built in the state he loves .
“ Having been fortunate to live in many other wonderful places , I came to appreciate that West Virginia is the most wonderful place of all ,” he says . “ I cannot imagine living in a place that has more opportunity and a higher quality of life . While I truly believe I am doing nothing more , better or different than hundreds of others in our community over the years , it is a blessing to have the opportunity to help shape that future in some small way .” •
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