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SAMANTHA CART
TRACY A. TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
SPONSORED BY
At its inception, West Virginia Executive
(WVE) magazine established an honors pro-
gram to recognize young leaders who drive
the success of the Mountain State. The title of
Young Gun is coveted across the state and has
inspired thousands of nominations over the
course of the program’s history. With almost
300 West Virginians inducted over the last 20
years, the program has stood the test of time.
On November 15, 2019, WVE celebrated the
iconic Young Guns Class of 2020 at the first-
ever Young Guns All-Class Reunion, which was
held at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention
Center. Nathaniel Bonnell, Keith Busby, Zac
Campbell, Michael Cary, John Deskins, Matthew
Drayer, Ashley Hardesty Odell, Laura Martin,
Joshua McGrath and Sarah Smith were inducted
into the ranks of 20 years of influential West
Virginia professionals.
With opening remarks by Andy Richardson,
vice chairperson of the Charleston Coliseum &
Convention Center board; a look back at 20
years of Young Guns by Jeff Barnes, member
of the Young Guns Class of 1999 and CEO
of the Barnes Agency; the unveiling of the
20
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
Young Guns Class of 2020 by Toney Stroud,
an attorney for Encova Insurance; the presen-
tation of the 2019 Leadership West Virginia
(LWV) Distinguished Alumnus Award by Pam
Farris, executive director of LWV; closing
remarks by Leah Summers, member of the Young
Guns Class of 2009 and head of community
outreach and engagement at Mylan; and door
prize drawings by Allison Ballard, member of
the Young Guns Class of 2013 and managing
partner of Dixon Hughes Goodman, it was a
night to remember.
This first-of-its-kind event brought together
Young Guns from across the state and country
whose inductions spanned decades to celebrate
the successes of the program and, more impor-
tantly, to continue empowering and encouraging
each other. By continuing to bring together
West Virginia’s elite, WVE hopes to make con-
nections and forge solutions that will move the
Mountain State forward into prosperity.
Nominations for the Young Guns Class of
2021 are now being accepted. To submit a nom-
ination, visit www.wvexecutive.com/nominate-
a-young-gun.