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.
John Deskins
John Deskins is the assistant dean for outreach and engagement,
director of the Bureau of Business & Economic Research
(BBER) and associate professor of economics in the College of
Business & Economics at West Virginia University. He leads
the BBER’s efforts to serve the state by providing rigorous
economic analysis and macroeconomic forecasting to business
leaders and policymakers across the state. Deskins received his
Ph.D. in economics from the University of Tennessee, and his
academic research has focused on economic development, small
business economics and government tax and expenditure policy.
Jean Hardiman
Jean Hardiman is a freelance writer from northern Ohio who
moved to West Virginia more than 20 years ago. Previously,
she worked as a longtime reporter for The Herald-Dispatch,
covering health care, education and economic development
throughout the state and region. Hardiman lives in Huntington
with her family, and as a writer, she loves to shine a light on the
amazing people and organizations and positive developments
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.
Olivia Miller
Olivia Miller is a multimedia specialist at the Eberly College of
Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University (WVU). She
studied at WVU, where she worked as a social media video
producer for 100 Days in Appalachia and earned a bachelor’s
degree in journalism. A native of Hendricks, WV, Miller has a
passion for traveling, writing and adventuring.
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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
sons and niece. She can be reached at
clc@wvexecutive.com.