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CELEBRATE
Wheeling is a city known for breaking
away from the norm, defying the odds
and paving its own path to success. It
is home to National Road, the nation’s
first roadway, and as a result it became
known as the Gateway to the West in the
early 1800s. In 1863, it earned the des-
ignation as the birthplace of the state of
West Virginia. In the late 19th century,
it welcomed the arrival of iron and steel
mills and with them its reputation for
producing cut-iron nails that earned it the
nickname of Nail Capital of the World.
By the end of the 19th century, Wheeling
was one of the richest cities per capita
in America.
The decline of manufacturing over
the years left a trail of empty industri-
al sites in the area. Population loss from
industry downturn had its impact on
neighborhoods and the downtown area.
Rather than succumbing to a fatalist
mentality and accepting that the glory
days were over, though, local business
and community leaders came together
to create a new future for Wheeling and
the surrounding area. Earlier this year,
Wheeling was named one of three win-
ners of the 2019 Great American Main
Street Award, which recognizes com-
munity Main Street programs that act
as a model for comprehensive, preserva-
tion-based commercial district revitaliza-
tion. Through renovation, creative reuse,
innovation and an unfaltering passion for
Wheeling, the Friendly City is making a
name for itself once again.
JENNIFER JETT PREZKOP
Wheeling
It was all the amazing successes of the
area that inspired the Celebrate Wheeling
special section in the Spring 2019 issue
of West Virginia Executive (WVE), and
it’s also the reason WVE was proud to
join forces with local businesses to host
the Celebrate Wheeling reception at The
Pointe Sea & Steak at Wheeling Island
Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in June. Bring-
ing together professionals from a variety
of backgrounds, all who are invested in
the future of the Wheeling area, created
an opportunity to celebrate the city’s re-
surgence as a leader and discuss new op-
portunities for partnership and growth.
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
“Events like West Virginia Executive’s Celebrate
Wheeling reception are important because
they are all about nurturing relationships. By
taking a break from the busyness of the work
week to attend these events, we are able to
strengthen our relationships with each other.
The simplicity of making time for others nurtures
greater connections and yields significant
rewards, like building and supporting local
businesses as well as the community.”
– Joelle Moray
External Affairs Manager,
Appalachian Power
“The Celebrate Wheeling event was a great
way to celebrate all the wonderful things about
Wheeling, including those highlighted in the
spring issue of West Virginia Executive. It was
also a great way to connect with others who
are helping make Wheeling a fantastic place to
live and work. Being newer to this community,
it has been refreshing to see how much pride
people have in the Wheeling area, and it was
never more apparent than at this event.”
– David Barnhardt
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
West Virginia Northern Community College
SPONSORED BY
20
KENSIE HAMILTON FAUBER
“Networking events like Celebrate Wheeling
that are coordinated by the West Virginia
Executive team are very important because
they bring together those who are committed
to making our community—and all of West
Virginia—more successful and prosperous
for future generations. At this event, I really
enjoyed visiting with other local community
and business leaders and celebrating the many
successes—as well as the exciting future—of
Wheeling and the surrounding communities.”
– Zach Abraham, MSIR, SPHR
Principal,
AlignHR, LLC