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Marvin C. Woodie Jr.
President, Conn-Weld Industries, LLC
Written by Kenzie Dye
Photo by Amanda Gibson Photography.
When Marvin Woodie Jr. was 19 years old, he spent his summer working as a cowboy and ranch hand south of Garden City, KS. It was a world away from the Southern West Virginia coalfields, but it was there that one phone call changed the trajectory of his life. Jim Connolly, founder of Conn-Weld Industries, was on the other end of the line. When Woodie mentioned his current manual labor-intensive work, Connolly responded with,“ You are hired.”
“ I was shocked,” Woodie says.“ I said,‘ You didn’ t ask me anything about engineering.’ He said,‘ I will make an engineer out of you. I know you will work well for Conn-Weld if you’ re working on a farm and ranch.’”
Connolly’ s intuition proved to be correct. Today, Woodie serves as president of Conn-Weld Industries, LLC, an international leader in vibrating screen equipment. His foundation was built in Welch, WV.
“ I had a fantastic childhood,” Woodie says.“ I enjoyed a rich diversity in culture, education, friendship experiences and dietary delights.
114 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE