[ real wv ]
Winner’s
Circle 2019
WITH THE POTENTIAL for a variety of natural gas-related projects
and the promise of more manufacturing jobs in the future, things
are looking up in West Virginia. While challenges remain in
making the Mountain State an ideal business environment for
all, there is much to celebrate. West Virginia Executive (WVE)
is committed to highlighting the successes of the state’s many
existing businesses that make up the backbone of its economy.
Hard work and thriving under pressure are nothing new to
these companies that—despite the changing tides of the state’s
economy, population and budget—have risen to the top of
their industries. Fueled by dedication and innovation, these
businesses, all of which have some type of headquarters in West
3 Rivers Iron & Metal
BY CATHY BONNSTETTER. When
Andrew Gongola decided to move
his business, Clean Metal, from
West Virginia to Chester, PA, in
2003, he couldn’t bear to put his
employees out of work, so he and
General Manager Barry Bledsoe
opened 3 Rivers Iron & Metal,
a scrap metal recycling facility
in Fairmont.
3 Rivers Iron & Metal, located
in Fairmont, WV, is a scrap metal
recycling facility that specializes in recycling ferrous and non-fer-
rous metals such as aluminum, brass and copper. The owners
purchase scrap metal from factories, mining and oil drilling
companies, demolition operations and the general public and
ship it to mills in all the states east of the Mississippi as well
as other countries, including China, Turkey and Pakistan.
In addition to 3 Rivers Iron & Metal, Gongola owns C&K
Metal Recycling in Moorefield; Elkins Metal Recycling (EMR),
the largest of the operations that serves as the central office;
and Ashley Metal Recycling in Mineral Wells. Each location is
unique, but they all work together to accomplish the company’s
mission of becoming West Virginia’s premier recycling company.
“Each location brings something unique to the divisions,”
says Bledsoe. “It is a synergy that allows the different operations
to help one another.”
Virginia, have taken their unique products and services across
state lines and around the world, thanks to their commitment
to quality.
In conjunction with its annual energy and manufacturing
issue, WVE is proud to present the 2019 installment of Winner’s
Circle. Nominations were received from around the state,
and the winning companies stood out as tried and true assets,
providing jobs, contributing to their communities and proving
that West Virginia companies produce high-quality products
enjoyed around the country and the world.
Welcome to our winner’s circle.
Appalachian Distillery
BY MAGGIE MATSKO. Located in Ripley,
WV, Appalachian Distillery makes pre-
mium sour mash moonshine, whiskey and
bourbon. From fermentation to distillation
and bottling, it is all done on-site using
high-quality ingredients. The company’s
entire product line is known for exceptional
smoothness and great taste while encompass-
ing the spirt of the Mountain State.
Founded in 2013, Appalachian Distillery
is a family-run business that has proven that
it is a force to be reckoned with. In the short time it has been in
business, the distillery has begun distributing to Arizona, Cal-
ifornia, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New
Mexico, Texas and Washington. After broadening its footprint
to include Germany and Sweden, Appalachian Distillery was
recognized by the state of West Virginia with the Governor’s
Commendation for International Market Entry Award.
“Exporting to other countries is a different set of challenges,
especially for alcohol,” says President Dwayne Freeman. “Every
country has different rules and regulations when it comes to
handling high-proof spirits, but exporting around and outside
the U.S. is what helped us grow.”
Even though the distillery has found success around the
country, Freeman couldn’t imagine being headquartered any-
where else. “The great thing about being in West Virginia is
the people, customers and sense of community,” he says.
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
SPRING 2019
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