An economic development official from Upshur County has been named to the Leadership West Virginia Class of 2025. Upshur County Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Tenney is one of 56 leaders chosen from a competitive pool of applicants across the state.
Pam Farris, executive director of Leadership West Virginia (LWV), emphasized the high quality of this year’s group.
She said, “The selection process is competitive since most applicants are qualified, but the individuals chosen this year have already made significant contributions in their careers and communities. We believe they stand ready to take their leadership to the next level and find effective solutions to shape a brighter future for West Virginia.”
Farris also highlighted LWV’s statewide mission.
“Leadership West Virginia equips participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our state and fosters collaboration and innovation to find viable solutions,” she said.
Chad Prather, chair of the LWV Board of Directors, underscored the importance of connections.
“Connection is the largest benefit of this program. It’s not just about individual growth but about establishing relationships that cultivate and motivate change. By bringing together talent, knowledge, resources and passion, we’re creating a statewide community of leaders that we can all count to bring success to the Mountain State.”
Now in its 34th year, the Leadership West Virginia program spans seven months and covers topics such as healthcare, education, energy, government and tourism. Participants explore different regions of the state, develop leadership and communication skills and join more than 1,600 LWV alumni.
LWV is a statewide education and leadership development not-for-profit program affiliated with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Its goal is to cultivate visionary individuals who use their talents to inspire others and drive West Virginia’s progress. More information is available at www.leadershipwv.org.
The Class of 2025 includes:
- Omar Ahmad, Pullin Fowler Flanagan Brown & Poe PLLC (Huntington)
- Jon Alexander, WV Air National Guard (Inwood)
- Jeff Altizer, Skaff Engineering Company (Chapmanville)
- Brittany Anderson, Bluefield State University (Bluefield)
- Meridith Balas, West Virginia University (Morgantown)
- Emily Kendra Bechtle, Walls & Associates PLLC (Southside)
- Crystal Cook, West Virginia University Foundation (Madison)
- Kerri Cooper, United Way of Central West Virginia (Alum Creek)
- Brooks Crislip, West Virginia American Water (Charleston)
- Kimberly Davis, Roane County Economic Development Authority (Spencer)
- Tommy Dutton, Charles Ryan Associates (Charleston)
- Michael Epperley, WesBanco Bank (Morgantown)
- Katie Farmer, West Virginia University (Morgantown)
- Leah Glover, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (Charleston)
- Mark Graves, ROCKWOOL (Shepherdstown)
- Shanna Gray, West Virginia CASA Association Inc. (Oak Hill)
- Ray Harrell, Boone Memorial Health (Charleston)
- Bradley Harris, Bradley Harris & Associates (Charleston)
- Matthew Harvey, Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (Shepherdstown)
- John Hebert, Dow (South Charleston)
- Cheryl Henry, West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling (St. Albans)
- Krista Hoffman, Jefferson County Development Authority (Inwood)
- Jonathan Huffman, Encova (Elkview)
- Mark Imbrogno, Jackson Kelly PLLC (Morgantown)
- Jessica Iquinto, Hope Gas (Bridgeport)
- Katie Hinerman Klug, Catholic Charities West Virginia (Wheeling)
- Joey Kutz, Silling Architects (Saint Albans)
- Bradley Lane, Appalachian Eye Care (Princeton)
- Drew Laskowski, FamilyCare Health Centers (Scott Depot)
- Jimmy Lemon, Bullseye Total Media (Huntington)
- Robert Love, Love Chiropractic & Holistic Living PLLC (New River Gorge)
- Evan Lynch, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (Charleston)
- Jennifer Marrs, Pioneer Appalachia FCU (South Charleston)
- Jennifer Mason, Dinsmore & Shohl (Lewisburg)
- Christy McIntyre, City National Bank (Saint Albans)
- Alissa Meeks, City of Charles Town (Charles Town)
- Amber Nichols, Monongalia County Schools (Morgantown)
- Lori Ogden, West Virginia University (Morgantown)
- Meghan Parsons, The Jackson County Development Authority (Ripley)
- Lacey Parsons, Highmark WV (Mineral Wells)
- Myranda Pike, Vandalia Health (Charleston)
- Abbey Reifsnyder, Digital Relativity (Charleston)
- Kristan Rogers, Mon Health System, Vandalia Health (Bruceton Mills)
- Andrew Sealy, Cardinal Creative (Morgantown)
- James Shamblin, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (Charleston)
- Andrew Sheppard, GAI Consultants (South Charleston)
- Ariana Shives, TechConnect West Virginia (Kenova)
- Joshua Spence, Alpha Innovations (Hurricane)
- Erikka Storch, Appalachian Power (Wheeling)
- Deborah Swiger, Citizens Bank of West Virginia (Elkins)
- Brandon Tenney, Upshur County Development Authority (Buckhannon)
- Cassie Thomas, WVU Medicine WVU School of Medicine (Morgantown)
- Jamie Tridico, Advanced Physical Therapy (Charleston)
- Allison Williams, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (Bridgeport)
- Paige Withrow, West Virginia International Yeager Airport (Charleston)
- Kelly Woodyard, Huntington National Bank (Charleston)
