All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

West Virginia Business Hall of Fame nominations now open

WVU Business Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2019 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, which will be held at The Greenbrier in August. Inductees this year included, from left, former communications agency founder and CEO Linda Arnold, Intuit Chairman and CEO Brad Smith and insurance executive Andy Paterno.

The West Virginia Business Hall of Fame has announced that the nomination process for 2019 inductees is open until Nov. 30.

The event, which kicks off the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business Summit at The Greenbrier, saw its largest crowd this past August. The event will be next held on Aug. 27, 2019, and is hosted annually by the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics.

Since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 2001, 68 individuals with strong ties to West Virginia have been inducted for their significant and lasting contributions in national and/or international businesses, state-based enterprises and entrepreneurial and family businesses.

“The accomplishments and successes of those individuals inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame have molded and transformed the business landscape in our state,” said W. Marston “Marty” Becker, chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee and a 2009 inductee. “The Hall of Fame is designed to recognize and honor these success stories, and to harness the energy and momentum of what they have accomplished to propel West Virginia forward.”

Inductees this year included Linda Arnold, founder and former chairman and CEO of The Arnold Agency, Charleston; Andrew J. Paterno, CEO of Centurion Insurance Services, LLC, Charleston; and Brad Smith, chairman and CEO of Inuit, San Francisco Bay, California.

Inductees are seen as people who have had a noteworthy impact on West Virginia’s business landscape and have demonstrated commitment and success in the state.  They have either been educated in West Virginia, built their careers in West Virginia or are native West Virginians. Additionally, they serve as commendable role models for students and younger generations everywhere. Nominees are not required to be West Virginia natives or graduates from in-state institutions, and are chosen by an independent selection committee.

“The Hall of Fame event grew to the point where it took on a new identity by kicking off the West Virginia Business Summit in 2017,” Becker said. “We have seen a marked increase in engagement and participation in the event by the stakeholders in West Virginia’s business community, including business leaders and policymakers, and that engagement really defines the purpose of the Hall of Fame.”

See complete nomination criteria and further information on the Hall of Fame.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Dwayne Edward Grubb

Dwayne Edward Grubb, 64, of Clarksburg, WV, a prep cook who enjoyed fishing and family, died December 12, 2025; survivors include four sisters, a brother, 10 nieces and nephews, and close friend Josh.

Winter storm warning issued for Upshur County with 6 to 10 inches of snow expected over the weekend

Heavy snow is forecast from Saturday afternoon through early Monday morning, with bitter cold to follow.

Buckhannon Toyota donates $10,000 to Feed My Sheep to fund Christmas meal baskets

Buckhannon Toyota donated $10,000 to Feed My Sheep Food Outreach to help fund about 400 Christmas meal baskets and other holiday support for families, seniors, veterans and the homeless.

Buckhannon Community Theatre honors Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston with 2025 Knorr Award

Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston, an early pioneer of Buckhannon Community Theatre who has starred in productions and served on the board of directors, received the 2025 Knorr Award.

Leadership Upshur dives into healthcare and public safety during December session

The December Leadership Upshur session offered participants a close look at the people, systems and teamwork that keep the community safe and healthy, with visits to Community Care of West Virginia, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex.

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa, 92, of Old Elkins Road died December 10, 2025; she is survived by husband Howard “Frank” Baxa, three children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and extended family, with services at Heavner and Cutright.

Basketball ‘Cats tumble to Point Park, 90-66

Point Park’s hot perimeter shooting and a dominant second half sank WVWC 90-66, with the Pioneers hitting 15 threes and capitalizing on turnovers while Wesleyan’s Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia fought inside.

Dandridge scores 30 as Wesleyan women down Point Park, 83-58

Freshman Kilah Dandridge scored 30 points as West Virginia Wesleyan shot 53% and dominated a 29‑point third quarter to beat Point Park 83-58, paced by Ana Young (18) and Emma Witt (15).

Webster Springs man arrested on strangulation charge after allegedly spitting on and choking victim

Police arrested a man on a felony strangulation charge after he allegedly admitted to spitting on, slapping and choking another person, according to a criminal complaint.