West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 107

1980
1985
1990
1980 Started working for the
WV State Tax Department
1981 Started working as a
clerk at the WVDHHR
1982 Started working for
the WV Department of
Employment Security
1989 Started working
for Potomac Edison/
Allegheny Power
“I know I am where I am
now because this is where
God wants me to be.”
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2004 Started working as a
credit analyst at Citigroup
2006 Started working as a
sales manager for D.R. Horton
2006 Named D.R. Horton’s top
sales manager in the region
2013 Started working
for the BCDA
2014 Named Main Street
Martinsburg Volunteer
of the Year
2015 Graduated from
Leadership Berkeley
2016 Received Rotarian
Award for Community Service
2016 Named BCDA
executive director
2018 Received Martinsburg
Rotary 4-Way Test Award
Hamilton. “I have first-hand knowledge
and contacts for most areas that are applicable
to business. From my background as
a real estate agent and business consultant
to my time as a WorkForce West Virginia
manager and public utility employee—
all have been relevant and often vital in
my day-to-day work.”
Hamilton credits her work ethic, compassion
for others and ability to embrace
change as the greatest influences on her
success. While many of her early positions
were accepted out of economic necessity,
she is grateful to her partner, John Slonaker,
for encouraging her to put all her acquired
professional strengths and skills to use
in a job she loves.
“With John’s encouragement, I really
started to determine my passion and purpose,”
she recalls. “I know I am where I
am now because this is where God wants
me to be.”
Hamilton had many mentors on her
road to success, which inspired her to
become a mentor herself. In this role she
has honed her listening skills and learned
more about herself and diversity.
“I have had several opportunities to
mentor a variety of people, from high
schoolers to adults,” she says. “What I
have learned about myself through mentoring
has been helpful in making personal
improvements. It is very insightful.”
While her career is community-oriented,
Hamilton also gives of her time, talent
and treasure outside of work. She volunteers
with and donates to the Martinsburg-
Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board
and the Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship
committee, and she serves as a board
member for Horizon Goodwill Industries
and a team leader for Generosity Feeds,
which works toward eliminating food
insecurity for children in the community.
Hamilton is also a member of the Rotary
Club of Martinsburg.
“When choosing organizations to support,
I pray for guidance first and then I
research the organization’s mission and
needs,” she says. “The rotary motto of
service above self speaks to my heart and
is the way I choose to live my life.”
She is also passionate about supporting
CURE International, which provides
medical care to children in developing
countries, and Hospice of the Panhandle.
“I give to hospice because they perform
an incredible service to my community,”
she says. “They provided unbelievable
care to my parents prior to my mom’s
passing in 2012. My father, sisters and I
probably benefited the most from their
programs and support during the last
months of her life.”
Hamilton feels like giving back is a
responsibility, not an option, and as
long as she is breathing, she will be motivated
to make Berkeley County and West
Virginia a better place to live and work.
“I know there is something or someone
I need to affect each day to have a
purpose,” she says. “I care about my
community, and that motivates me to
continue to do whatever I can to make
our daily lives better.”
Hamilton chooses to live and work
in West Virginia because it is her home.
“It is a place where people work hard,
care for one another and strive to be better
each day,” she says. “We are near major
markets, but we are tight-knit communities
that look out for one another.” •
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