Editor ’ s
January 20 marked one year that I have been serving as editor in chief of West Virginia Executive ( WVE ) magazine — and what a year it has been . Recently , I looked back at the first editor ’ s letter I wrote in my new position . I wrote that I knew the coming months would be challenging , stressful and significant . If I had known then what I know now .
I also wrote about what I was most looking forward to : learning new things , meeting new people and traveling to new places in my home among the hills . While I haven ’ t been able to do much in the way of traveling this year , I have learned so many things and met so many amazing people — albeit virtually — that have made my work rewarding .
Over the past 12 months , strangers who didn ’ t know me from Eve answered phone calls , emails and text messages and scheduled Zoom meetings and conference calls with me to discuss what is going on in West Virginia . From West Virginia University to the West Virginia Department of Commerce , Marshall University to the West Virginia Hospital Association , the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission to the Robert C . Byrd Institute , business owners , elected officials , doctors and administrators — busy people took time out of their schedules so we could talk about and work toward our common goal :
getting the word out that the Mountain State is a good place to be . While I miss the days of sitting across the table and seeing people smile when they talk about Almost Heaven , I can still hear the passion in their voices when we talk on the phone .
The discussions have certainly taken a turn . Before the pandemic , we were discussing diversifying the economy , a boom in oil and natural gas and a surplus in the state ’ s budget . However , even in the middle of the chaos , I am happy to help celebrate the fact that West Virginia is outpacing the rest of the country in vaccinating people against the coronavirus ( page 74 ), that our hospitals are offering necessary supports to their communities in the face of hardships ( page 69 ) and that we are uniquely poised to launch a thriving medical technology and innovation industry ( page 80 ). I have also enjoyed working on WVE ’ s first-ever West Virginia Real Estate Relocation Guide to let people know West Virginia is a warm , welcoming state for those looking for a new place to call home ( page 27 ).
Finally , in that first letter , I wrote that I prayed God would use me in this position to make an impact on the state I love — and that remains my earnest prayer . •
Samantha Cart Editor in Chief
711 Indiana Avenue Charleston , WV 25302 T . 304.343.7551 F . 304.346.3350
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