contributors
Cathy Bonnstetter
Cathy Bonnstetter, an adjunct lecturer at West Virginia University’s
Reed College of Media, has covered West Virginia’s businesses and
business leaders as a journalist for more than a decade. She holds
a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree
in journalism. Bonnstetter currently resides in Morgantown with
her husband, Dennis.
Rachel Coffman
Rachel Coffman is the vice president and director of creative services
at TSG Consulting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations
from Marshall University and an MBA from the University of
Charleston. Coffman is also a graduate of Leadership West Virginia
and Leadership Kanawha Valley.
John Deskins
John Deskins serves as the assistant dean for outreach and engagement,
director of the Bureau of Business & Economic Research and associate
professor of economics at West Virginia University. He has testified
before the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the
West Virginia Legislature; has delivered more than 100 speeches;
and has been quoted in numerous media outlets.
Blair Dowler
Blair Dowler is the assistant director of marketing and communications
at the Ohio University (OU) College of Business, where she leads
efforts to promote the college’s graduate business programs. In
addition to her role at OU, she also serves as an adjunct instructor
in the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Business and
Economics marketing department.
Jean Hardiman
Jean Hardiman is a communications specialist for Marshall University.
She previously worked for The Herald Dispatch for 17 years and now
does freelance writing for publications, businesses and organizations
throughout the region. A transplant from northern Ohio to West
Virginia, she lives in Huntington with her husband and daughters and
finds joy in writing about events and people in the Mountain State.
Maggie Hatfield
Maggie Hatfield is the communications and development specialist
for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, an organization of
women who minister to the needs of the communities in which they
serve. Hatfield is a graduate of West Virginia University, where she
received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. She resides
in Owensboro, KY, with her husband and two cats.
12
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
MEET THE STAFF
Melanie Boyd
Melanie Boyd, a
native of Shrewsbury,
WV, is the graphic
designer for
Executive Ink, LLC
and its publications.
She holds a bachelor’s
degree in graphic
design from Marietta
College and previously worked as the designer
for the West Virginia Education Association.
In her spare time, Boyd is active in CrossFit
at Firebreather Fitness and has participated in
several 5k runs, including the SportFest Glow
Run 5k in Charleston and the Color Me Rad 5k
in Morgantown. She also enjoys cross-stitching
and jigsaw puzzles. Boyd resides in Nitro, WV,
with her cat, Billy Flynn.
Samantha Cart
Samantha Cart
is an editor for
Executive Ink,
LLC and its
publications. A
native of Buffalo,
WV, she holds
bachelor’s and
master’s degrees
in journalism from West Virginia University.
She previously worked as an assistant editor
for Omnistream and a social media specialist
for Atkins & Ogle Law Offices. In her spare
time, she serves as a volunteer with Putnam
County 4-H, the Church of the Nazarene
and the Come and Serve Team. Cart currently
lives in Hometown, WV, with her husband,
Dr. Caleb Cart, and their dog, Wednesday.
Connie Conrad
Connie Conrad
is a marketing
and advertising
associate for
Executive Ink, LLC.
A native of Capon
Bridge, WV, she
holds a bachelor’s
degree in public
relations from West Virginia University. She
coaches youth soccer and baseball, serves as a
Cub Scout den leader and is active in her church.
She lives in Fairmont with her husband, twin
boys and niece. She can be reached at
[email protected].