1990
1990 Enlisted in the U . S . Navy
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
1996 Left the U . S . Navy and enrolled at WVU
1998 Graduated from WVU and started first professional engineering job
2003 Graduated from Marshall University with MBA
2004 Became registered professional engineer
2005 Daughter , Jayla , was born
2007 Daughter , Jemma , was born
2013 Leadership Development Program
2017 Started at The Thrasher Group
2019 Named partner of The Thrasher Group
2021 Became ACEC- WV board member and started volunteering at Charleston Parkrun
2022 Ran first Boston Marathon
“ I wouldn ’ t go anywhere else . I love this state , I love the people , and I love the values of West Virginia .”
recalls . “ It taught me a lesson in taking pride in what you do . If I ’ m going to be a truck loader , then I ’ m going to be the best truck loader UPS has ever seen .”
While in the Navy , he found a love of honor , courage and commitment .
“ It was on that ship where I learned about myself and about what I truly wanted out of life ,” he says .
Boyd credits his good friend , Jamie Bumgarner , for helping lead him to this career . The two met in college , and after graduation , Bumgarner recruited Boyd to move to Charleston and work with Site Blauvelt Engineers .
Another mentor in Boyd ’ s career is Woody Thrasher , president of The Thrasher Group , Inc .
“ I personally owe a lot to Woody ,” Boyd shares . “ I look to him as a mentor for several reasons but mostly for his ability to stay nimble and try things that others feel may be unorthodox .”
Boyd ’ s greatest professional achievement has been building a transportation market for Thrasher , one of the largest architectural and engineering firms in the state . The company has grown in this highly competitive industry .
Boyd is a firm believer in never resting on your laurels . As a mentor , he leads by example , providing honest feedback when things go well and when they do not . He also has embraced the summer internship program at Thrasher .
“ I love the feeling of bringing those kids into the fold and having them leave feeling like they are part of the team ,” says Boyd . “ The interpersonal connections they make are as important as the engineering skills they refine .”
Along with being a mentor , Boyd is a devoted father and community volunteer .
“ I do what I do because of my kids . They are my motivation to get up and go on the hard days , and I truly could not be prouder of the young women they have become ,” says Boyd .
Finding ways to give back is important to Boyd . He currently serves as the chapter president for the West Virginia Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies ( ACEC ). This role , along with being a board member for the ACEC-West Virginia Board of Governors , allows Boyd to contribute to the wellbeing of West Virginia ’ s infrastructure and shine a light on the importance of this work for local communities .
He has provided construction assistance to Sleep in Heavenly Peace . Boyd and his co-workers participate in CANstruction for the Covenant House every year . He also spends every Saturday volunteering at the Charleston Parkrun . In the future , he hopes to establish more veteran support efforts in the state .
“ My philanthropic compass has always steered me in that direction because I have seen firsthand so many of my fellow veterans come home and struggle ,” explains Boyd . “ I would be honored to help other veterans find career paths post-military that are fulfilling and give a sense of purpose .”
Boyd ’ s favorite pastime is running , and he says few places are more beautiful than West Virginia . Even after running in the Boston Marathon , he says , “ I wouldn ’ t go anywhere else . I love this state , I love the people , and I love the values of West Virginia .” •
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