[ community ]
SAMANTHA CART
CELEBRATE
In 2015, the staff at West Virginia
Executive (WVE) decided to take action
in becoming more visible across the state.
While the magazine features editorial
on people, businesses and events from
the tips of the panhandles to the state’s
southernmost border, with a small staff
of four employees, it can be difficult to
create a tangible presence across West
Virginia’s many towns and cities.
Out of this effort, WVE’s Celebrate
initiative was born. Starting with Cele-
brate Wheeling in the Winter/February
2015 issue, WVE has been moving from
region to region to share with its readers
what makes each community special.
For the Fall/November 2018 issue, WVE
came full circle with Celebrate Charleston,
a salute to the magazine’s home base,
by partnering with local businesses and
organizations to shine a light on the
city’s business community. In December,
a networking reception was held at the
newly renovated Charleston Coliseum
& Convention Center, the perfect venue
to highlight the growth and excitement
surrounding the Capital City.
PETER GALLO
Charleston
“A primary benefit of attending the Celebrate
Charleston event was the ability to interact with
people who are industry leaders and who have a
genuine interest in moving the city of Charleston
and West Virginia forward. It was refreshing
to have positive interactions with people who
are making a difference in our state and our
communities by being innovative thinkers and
implementing change for the future.”
– Dale Clowser, Vice President and
Certified Mortgage Loan Officer, BB&T
“I enjoyed meeting local business leaders in
such a comfortable environment. We are all laser
focused and locked into our daily demands at
work, but these events allow people to share
experiences and assist each other. I really enjoy
the people in our area because we all seem to
be connected by our environment, our shared
experiences and our local culture. Very seldom
do we not make new friends upon meeting
fellow West Virginians.”
– Shane Higgins, Co-Owner and Co-Vice President,
Electronic Specialty Company
SPONSORED BY
DARIN FISHER
DESIGNER KITCHENS
“I enjoyed the opportunity to meet successful
business people from all parts of the state. When
I attend West Virginia Executive events, I always
feel like I am participating in a historic event
celebrating the transformation of West Virginia,
and I enjoy seeing the state becoming a great
place to live, work, play and own a business.”
– John Lichter, Office Owner,
Sunbelt Business Brokers Morgantown
“My favorite part was the coming together of
the community to get to know each other and
also engage in conversations about the future
of Charleston and our whole state. Events like
these provide us with a great opportunity to build
a robust network of engaged individuals who
want to move our community, businesses and
economic development forward. West Virginia is
a beautiful state with tremendous opportunities,
and it is a place where the willingness to help
others succeed for the benefit of the state
seems to be the guiding light.”
– Javier Reyes, Milan Puskar Dean,
West Virginia University John Chambers
College of Business and Economics
24
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE