The Central West Virginia Republican Women held their annual meeting on November 17 at the Bicentennial Inn in Buckhannon, honoring, as outgoing President LeVera Gillum called them, the “Shining Stars of Upshur County,” celebrating 26 years of service and electing new leadership for the organization.
The evening featured three major awards — Man of the Year, Woman of the Year and Volunteers of the Year — along with a standing ovation to Gillum herself, who is stepping down after 13 years as president and 26 years of service to Republican women’s organizations.
A legacy of service
Gillum, who has been a member of Republican Women groups for 26 years, reflected on the organization’s history and accomplishments during her president’s report. She noted that she, Carlene Wojhan, Patty Adams and other Republican women and men met and decided a new club was needed to expand to all Central West Virginia counties. Central West Virginia Republican Women was founded and chartered in 2004.
Under Gillum’s leadership, the organization has earned two Diamond Awards from the National Federation of Republican Women, including one in 2025 for excellence in membership development, campaign activities, programs, community relations, leadership development and club functions.
“It was one of the highlights of my life to walk across that national stage to receive the diamond award on behalf of Central West Virginia Republican Women,” Gillum said of the National Federation of Republican Women Convention held in Orlando, Florida, in September 2025.
The organization’s impact extends far beyond meetings and awards. In 2024-2025, members volunteered over 6,000 hours in community service, political activity, campaign activities and armed services and veteran activities. Combined with 4,688 hours of digital signage donated by members Frank and Judy Fato for the campaigns of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Patrick Morrisey and Secretary of State Kris Warner, the organization contributed roughly 10,000 volunteer hours.
Secretary of State Kris Warner has recognized Central West Virginia Republican Women as “a little but mighty club.”
Gillum acknowledged the personal sacrifices involved in her decades of service, noting her husband Keith has asked several times when she really plans to retire.
“I told him I didn’t consider this work — it is simply a labor of love,” Gillum said. “I feel honored that you have chosen me to serve you these 26 years. It has been a distinct honor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
A standing ovation
Delegate Carl “Robbie” Martin took the podium to deliver a touching tribute to Gillum’s legacy.
“Twenty-six years ago, a determined woman walked into this room with a simple belief that Republican women in the heart of West Virginia deserved a louder voice,” Martin said. “Today, we gather not just to say goodbye, but to say thank you — because that woman turned belief into action, and action into legacy.”
Martin detailed the organization’s accomplishments under Gillum’s leadership: informing the public through education forums and legislative briefings, recruiting and training Republican candidates, protecting election integrity, promoting Republican Party principles and increasing the effectiveness of women in government.
“I’ve seen this up close,” Martin continued. “As a Delegate and a neighbor in Upshur County, I watched LeVera tackle every task — big or small — with the same ferocious work ethic. She is the rare leader who is early to arrive, late to leave, and still finds time to ask how you are doing. Meticulous? Yes. Compassionate? Absolutely. Dependable? The word may have been invented for her.”
Martin asked the audience to consider the weight of what Gillum has accomplished.
“LeVera, the gavel you pass today is heavier than wood or brass — it carries the weight of every meeting you have chaired, every candidate you mentored, every voter you registered, and every friend you made along the way,” he said.
“So on behalf of every Republican woman whose voice is louder because of you, every candidate who won because you believed in them, and every citizen who sleeps better knowing people like you guard our democracy — thank you.”
Martin concluded by asking the audience to join in a standing ovation for “our president, our mentor, our friend — LeVera Gillum.”
Man of the Year: Carl “Robbie” Martin
The organization presented Martin with the CWVRW Man of the Year Award, recognizing his own remarkable journey in Republican politics.
Martin’s involvement in politics began at age 14, inspired by President George W. Bush’s “bullhorn moment” three days after September 11, 2001, when Bush stood amid the devastation at Ground Zero and addressed rescue workers.
“I can hear you!” Bush declared to the crowd. “The rest of the world hears you! And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.”
That moment inspired the young Martin to found the Upshur County Teenage Republicans, even though he was too young to vote. He went on to graduate from Buckhannon-Upshur High School and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he served as chairman of the College Republicans.
Martin has since built an impressive record of service. He worked on numerous Republican campaigns, served three years on the Upshur County Board of Education and was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, where he cast one of West Virginia’s votes for Donald J. Trump. He received the Most Outstanding Republican Award in 2019.
Born and raised in Upshur County, Martin is a member of Transfiguration Episcopal Church of Buckhannon and is married to his wife, Alicia. He owns and operates the Bicentennial Inn and The Peak Pavilion, employing 15 people.
Martin is currently serving his third term as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for the 65th District, which covers the majority of Upshur County, including Buckhannon and Rock Cave. He serves as chairman of the Political Subdivisions Committee in the House.
Gillum noted that Central West Virginia Republican Women served as mentors to Martin when he founded the Upshur County Teenage Republicans and that they have worked closely with him through the years.
“Robbie has become a very successful businessman and has always been extremely generous with CWVRW by giving them free use of his facility for their meetings and events through the years,” Gillum said.
Woman of the Year: Kristie Tenney
Upshur County Commissioner Kristie Tenney received the CWVRW Woman of the Year Award for her dedication to community service and public leadership.
A lifelong resident of Upshur County, Tenney has owned and operated Top Line Apparel, a graphic design and custom apparel business serving local schools, organizations and businesses, since 2012. She is now serving her second term as Upshur County Commissioner.
Tenney is dedicated to strengthening the community through economic development, supporting families and promoting health and wellness for residents of all ages. She volunteers alongside TV host Lauren Winans on Healthy Living, with support from the Governor’s Office, to advance wellness initiatives and encourage dog adoptions across the region.
“A devoted follower of Christ, Kristie strives to lead with integrity, compassion and faith,” Gillum said.
Tenney and her husband JP — an educator, longtime coach and U.S. Air Force veteran — have been married 30 years. Their children, Julia Sheldon and her husband Logan, and Brandon Tenney and his wife Erica, have blessed them with six grandchildren.
“Kristie is a true friend of Central West Virginia Republican Women,” Gillum said. “She is a long-time member, and any time I have asked Kristie to do something for the club, Kristie is always happy to assist. As a County Commissioner, Kristie is always seen working on behalf of the residents of Upshur County.”
Volunteers of the Year: Frank and Judy Fato
Frank and Judy Fato, owners of Twin Oaks Home Sales LLC on Route 20 South in Tennerton, received the CWVRW Volunteers of the Year Award for their extraordinary contribution to Republican campaigns.
The Fatos have been in real estate sales for over 40 years. Their business features manufactured homes from Commander, Fleetwood, Eagle River and Clayton, ranging from tiny homes to five-bedroom residences.
Their contribution to the election cycle was substantial: 4,688 hours of digital signage donated to the campaigns of Donald J. Trump for President, Patrick Morrisey for Governor and Kris Warner for Secretary of State.
“This was such a tremendous help to these campaigns,” Gillum said.
Additional recognitions
The organization also honored Chelsea Sloan with a certificate for singing for Republicans for 20 years, from 2005 to 2025. Gillum showed the club a photo of Sloan singing at the Lincoln Day Dinner in 2005 when she was just 15 years old. Sloan has served as chair of the Americanism Committee for 2024-2025, singing the National Anthem at monthly meetings.
Gillum also presented a certificate to her husband, Keith, honoring him as her “helper” during her 26 years of service.
“He has traveled to every out-of-town and out-of-state meeting with me, has attended most monthly meetings except when driving grandchildren to sports practices and games, and has been my heavy lifter, and has helped set up and decorate the meeting room every month of the 13 years I have been president,” Gillum said.
She added with a smile: “I will treat him to a steak dinner!”
The organization also presented Gillum with the President’s Distinguished Service Award and recognized Carlene Wojhan, who served as the first president of Central West Virginia Republican Women in 2004.
New leadership elected
The meeting concluded with the election of officers for the 2026-2027 term, all elected by acclamation:
- President: Nina Monroe
- First Vice President: Dr. Brenda Wells
- Second Vice President: Brenda Wyatt
- Treasurer: Pamela Maxwell, APRN, NHC, FNP-C
- Secretary: Carlene Wojhan
- Immediate Past President: LeVera Gillum
Gillum said she wholeheartedly supports all of the new officers and will serve as immediate past president, mentor and helper for the new term.
As Martin noted in his tribute: “Whenever Republican women gather in Central West Virginia, your name will be spoken with gratitude, your example will be followed, and your seat — though replaced — will always be yours.”
