[ contributors | spring 2017 ]
Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson is the chair-
man of the West Virgin-
ia Mountain Party; co-
founder and co-owner of
Johnson Smith Global,
LLC, a consulting firm
specializing in govern-
mental affairs; and the
executive director of the West Virginia chapter
of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws. He is a lobbyist, activist, film-
maker, actor and theatrical producer and a care-
giver to his 78-year-old mother.
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Johnson, West Vir-
ginia Executive’s senior
graphic designer, has
been with the magazine
for more than 10 years.
Johnson is a graduate of
Marshall University, where
she received her bachelor’s
degree in graphic design. In her spare time, she is
an active member of the Nitro Moose Lodge, and
she loves couponing. She lives in Nitro with her
husband, Jesse, and their cats, Princess and Black-
jack. She may be reached at [email protected].
Parween Mascari
Parween Mascari is a law-
yer with Bailey & Glasser
LLP, executive director of
the West Virginia Farmers
Market Association and
owner of West Virginia
market stores at Snow-
shoe Mountain Resort.
Mascari serves on boards and committees for the
Snowshoe Foundation, Girl Scouts of Black Dia-
mond Council, Brickstreet Center for Innovation
and Entrepreneurship, West Virginia University
College of Law, Philanthropy West Virginia and
the Benedum Foundation.
Maggie Matsko
Maggie Matsko is the
communications and
development specialist
for the Ursuline Sisters
of Mount Saint Joseph.
She is a graduate of West
Virginia University, where
she received her bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in journalism. A freelance writ-
er for West Virginia Executive magazine, she enjoys
crafting stories about her former home among the
hills. Matsko resides in Owensboro, KY.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
Gaylene Miller
Gaylene Miller is the state
director for AARP in West
Virginia, where she has
worked for many years
as an advocate for West
Virginians age 50 and
older and their families.
She holds an undergrad-
uate degree from West Liberty State College and
a graduate degree from West Virginia University.
She is a past president of the Charleston Vanda-
lia Rotary Club and the board of directors for the
Alzheimer’s Association’s West Virginia chapter.
Javier Reyes, Ph.D.
Dr. Javier Reyes is the
Milan Puskar Dean of
the College of Business
and Economics at West
Virginia University. Reyes
has been a visiting scholar
at several international in-
stitutions and served as a
grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation
and an invited academic scholar for the Interna-
tional Monetary Fund. He serves on the inaugural
TIAA National Hispanic Advisory Council and the
national board of directors for the University Pro-
fessional and Continuing Education Association.
Natalie Roper
Natalie Roper is the exec-
utive director of Genera-
tion West Virginia, where
she works with local and
state partners to strength-
en statewide programming
and infrastructure needed
to attract, retain and ad-
vance young talent in the Mountain State. She
holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in public
policy from the University of Virginia, with an in-
terdisciplinary background in nonprofit adminis-
tration, grassroots advocacy and social innovation.
Kathryn Ryan
Kathryn Ryan is a pro-
gram coordinator for In-
spire West Virginia, where
she connects with local
partners, recruits and
mentors student leaders
and creates structures to
empower West Virginia’s
youth in the civic process. Ryan grew up in Charles-
ton, WV, where she currently lives and works, and
received her master’s degree in public health from
West Virginia University in 2015.
Katlin Swisher
Katlin Swisher is the com-
munications specialist for
the Eberly College of Arts
and Sciences at West Vir-
ginia University (WVU).
Originally from Hurri-
cane, WV, she graduated
as a summa cum laude
and university honors scholar with a bachelor’s
degree in journalism in 2012, and she earned a
master’s degree in higher education administra-
tion in 2014. She is currently pursuing a doctor
of education in higher education administration
at WVU.
Tracy Toler
Tracy Toler scaled Sen-
eca Rocks at the age of
5 and has been reach-
ing new heights ever
since. Through his busi-
ness, Tracy A. Toler
Photography, he has
served as creative director and feature photog-
rapher for many of the region’s largest maga-
zines. Known as Mr. McGyver, he can fix any-
thing with a bobby pin, rubber band or Swiss
Army knife, which comes in handy at home
with his two daughters. Toler may be reached at
[email protected].
Jessica
Wintz-Adams
Jessica Wintz-Adams is
a junior account execu-
tive for Orion Strategies.
A 2010 graduate of Mar-
shall University, Wintz-
Adams holds bachelor’s
degrees in public relations and political science.
Originally from Southern West Virginia, she cur-
rently resides in Charleston, where she an active
volunteer with Charleston Main Street (CMS)
East and was named a CMS East End Volunteer
of the Year in 2016. She is also a proud alumna
of the Leadership West Virginia Class of 2015.