contributors
Jean Hardiman
Jean Hardiman is a freelance writer who previously worked as a longtime reporter for The Herald-Dispatch . Hardiman lives in Huntington , WV , with her family , and as a writer , she loves to shine a light on the amazing people and organizations and positive developments in the Mountain State .
Maggie Hatfield
Maggie Hatfield is the business development center manager for Sweet Relish and a longtime freelance writer for West Virginia Executive . She is a graduate of West Virginia University , where she received her bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degrees in journalism . She resides in Clarksville , TN .
Lori Kersey
Lori Kersey is a newspaper reporter in Charleston , WV . A native of Sissonville , WV , she is a graduate of Marshall and Morehead State universities . She has a bachelor ’ s degree in print journalism and a master ’ s degree in communications .
Ken Magill
Ken Magill worked as a New York Citybased writer and editor for more than two decades . His work has appeared in various outlets , including The Buffalo News and The New York Sun . In September 2020 , Magill and his family relocated from New York to the Charleston area and they have fallen in love with the state .
Brittany McClung
Brittany McClung is an educator , writer and communications professional . She currently teaches English at Charleston Catholic High School . A native of Beckley , WV , she holds both a bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degree from the University of Charleston . McClung resides in Saint Albans , WV , with her husband , Joshua .
Olivia Miller
Olivia Miller is the communications specialist for the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University ( WVU ). A native of Hendricks , WV , Miller is an integrated marketing communications graduate student at WVU and holds a bachelor ’ s degree in journalism .
Nora Myers
Nora Myers is the executive director of the West Virginia Women ’ s Business Center . She holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in management from Virginia Tech . She also serves on the boards of Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council and Fund for the Arts .
Jamie Null
Jamie Null is the executive director for the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau . She is an award-winning journalist with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph . A graduate of both Bluefield College and Concord University , Null holds bachelor ’ s degrees in print journalism and English literature .
Emily Rice
A native of Teays Valley , WV , Emily Rice holds a bachelor ’ s degree in online journalism and a minor in photography . She has previously worked as the features editor of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and associate editor of Prerogative magazine .
Clay Riley
Clay Riley is a member of the 85th Legislature serving his first term in the West Virginia House of Delegates . Delegate Riley is an executive vice president at The Thrasher Group and the past president of the West Virginia American Council of Engineering Companies .
Chelsea Ruby
Chelsea Ruby was appointed secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism by in March 2021 . As secretary , Ruby leads efforts to unify and promote the state ’ s Almost Heaven brand , advance tourism development and promote the Mountain State to a broader audience .
John Saldanha
As an award-winning teacher , researcher and author , John Saldanha has consulted with government , nonprofit and Fortune 500 firms on supply chain issues . Saldanha helped start the Supply Chain Management Program at West Virginia University . He serves as the founding faculty director of the Wehrle Lab at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics .
Tracy Toler
Tracy Toler has served as creative director and feature photographer for many of the region ’ s largest magazines through his business , Tracy A . Toler Photography . Toler may be reached at tracytoler @ yahoo . com .
Kristen Uppercue
Kristen Uppercue , a native of Martinsburg , WV , is the deputy editor of special projects at 100 Days in Appalachia and project manager at the Rural Digital Youth Resiliency Project . She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in journalism and master ’ s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University .
Arianna Whitehair
Arianna Whitehair received her bachelor ' s degree in English and integrated communication from the University of Charleston and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in teaching from Marshall University . A native of Pinch , WV , she aspires to one day become an English teacher .
14
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE