The Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet shined a spotlight on two forces of good in the community — Curtis Wilkerson, a visionary leader committed to local progress, and the Band of Brothers, a selfless group answering calls for help across Upshur County.
Wilkerson was named Citizen of the Year, while the Band of Brothers received the Organization of the Year award for their tireless dedication to the community.
Wilkerson owns Orion Strategies and chairs the Buckhannon Planning Commission. Mayor Robbie Skinner announced the honor, noting Wilkerson’s lasting impact on the community.
“A native of Cowen, West Virginia, he has long been committed to the success of Appalachia,” Skinner said in his address. “He founded his company in 2006, and while the firm has expanded into multiple states and developed a national profile over its nearly 20-year history, his dedication to our region and his love of this community meant his company’s headquarters would always be located on Main Street here in Buckhannon.”
Skinner cited Wilkerson’s firm as “well-known for constant high performance and consistent results,” crediting this standard for fueling its exponential growth.
“He developed a fully integrated structure within the firm to maximize the stability of skilled, experienced staff across the company,” Skinner said. “He works with clients across all sectors and is responsible for the business’ strategy, which drives the company’s success from the successes it helps engineer for its clients.”
Wilkerson’s reach goes beyond local boundaries.
“He advises organizations, companies and trade associations across America,” Skinner said. “He also helps influence policy, permitting, tax abatement, environmental and crisis communication. He maintains a wide and constantly growing network of contacts in both the public and private realms in all the areas of key influence for his clients.”
Skinner highlighted Wilkerson’s expertise in energy, major construction, defense, natural resources, telecommunications, labor, education and health care, as well as his roles in local organizations.
“[He is] president of the City of Buckhannon’s Planning Commission, where his pragmatic leadership ensures a balance between progress and established community values,” Skinner said. “An alumnus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, he was recently appointed to the college’s Board of Trustees, where he helps guide the institution’s vision and growth.”
Skinner also credited Wilkerson for his work with the Upshur County Parish House.
“Through his leadership, character and dedication, he has made a lasting impact on Upshur County,” the mayor said. “His efforts to enhance economic development, support community planning, advance higher education, and uplift those in need truly embody who you might think is most deserving to be named a community’s ‘Citizen of the Year.’”
Buckhannon’s Band of Brothers was named the 2024 Organization of the Year. The organization’s roots trace back nearly 15 years to regular Friday morning Bible study in Engle Hall at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.
“Its motto was ‘stay busy, stay broke.’ I believe Steve Foster coined that tagline when their meetings began,” Skinner said. “Over the years, this group has expanded their activities to physical labor projects such as installing ramps and home modifications for the disabled, roof and gutter repairs, and other small jobs in our community and beyond.”
Skinner highlighted how the Band of Brothers made a significant financial impact through annual calendar sales.
“They printed over 500 calendars near Christmas in 2015, and the response was tremendous. They collected over $10,000 — all to provide local families with much-needed support. They have continued this project year after year,” he said.
The calendars feature photography of the Mountain State by “one of our community’s most talented and generous men: Al Tucker,” Skinner noted.
Another important effort is the “Help Us Help Kids” project, which focuses on supporting disadvantaged children in the region. The Band of Brothers received the Governor’s Service Award last summer, an honor that recognizes those dedicated to volunteerism and community service across West Virginia.
“From fundraising to providing Christmas gifts and essential supplies to constructing new pavilions in parks and everything in between, they do not work for the accolades or for the recognition,” Skinner said. “The men who make this organization are inspired by the love of Christ to go and be disciples here in our community, and throughout the world.”
