[ contributors | winter 2019 ]
Jeff Cowart
Jeff Cowart is a former award-winning newspaper journalist who currently
consults with corporate and political clients on message development,
market positioning, business development, governmental and public
affairs, marketing and communications and compelling storytelling. In the
past, he has served as deputy chief of staff and press secretary for Louisiana
Governor Buddy Roemer and has provided strategies to more than a dozen
political campaigns. He is a writing and editing coach and workshop leader
who writes frequently on health care topics.
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 in the College of Business & 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.
Deskins has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator
on more than $1 million in funded research.
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. A native of Parkersburg, WV, she holds two degrees from
the WVU Reed College of Media.
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, she lives in
Huntington with her husband and daughters and finds joy in writing
about events and people in the Mountain State.
Maggie Matsko
Maggie Matsko 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. Matsko is
a graduate of West Virginia University, where she received her bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in journalism. Currently, she resides in Owensboro,
KY, with her fiancé and two cats.
Jamie Null
Jamie Null is the executive director for the Mercer County Convention
& Visitors Bureau. An award-winning journalist with the Bluefield
Daily Telegraph, she joined the tourism industry in 2014. A graduate of
both Bluefield College and Concord University, she holds bachelor’s
degrees in print journalism and English literature and enjoys running,
traveling and promoting West Virginia.
14
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 Scott Depot, WV. She can be
reached at [email protected].
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.
She may be reached at [email protected].
Interested in pitching a story
or being a contributor?
For story pitches, submit
at least 100 words by email
explaining the main points
of the suggested story.
Freelance writers should
submit writing samples and a
résumé. For more information,
contact Jennifer Jett Prezkop
at [email protected].