As an avid mountain and gravel biker Eric has been building and maintaining trails in WV since 1991. In 2013 he helped start and was the first President of Pocahontas Trails (2013 to 2025). Pocahontas Trails was the first IMBA chapter in WV and was founded with a dedicated mission of preserving the “old school” hand-built trails in Slatyfork and the surrounding area. As one of the original SHARC team members, Eric prepared the first draft of the 5-year plan which laid the foundation for multiple successful grant applications and obtaining the IMBA Ride Center status (Bronze then Silver). He has worked with the Pocahontas County CVB, Snowshoe Mountain and the Forest Service to promote outdoor recreation in Pocahontas County through trail maintenance, trail building and holding XC and Enduro mountain bike races.

Josh Nease has a wealth of experience in managing nonprofits and a passion for coalition building, strategic planning, and building alliances. Currently serving as the Executive Director for Mon Forest Towns, he spearheads the unification of the twelve distinctive towns nestled within the awe-inspiring Monongahela National Forest, dedicated to preserving its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and thrilling adventures.
Josh's career path includes notable roles such as Sustainability Manager for Radford University, Catawba Sustainability Center Manager for Virginia Tech, and Youth Education Coordinator for the Potomac Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited. With a strong background in outdoor science education, he brings a unique perspective to his work.
Originally hailing from Bridgeport, Josh is a proud alum of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in public relations. He further honed his expertise by earning a master's degree in natural resources from Virginia Tech. Currently residing in Canaan Valley with his loving wife, daughter, and son, he cherishes quality time with family and indulges in his passion for skiing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, rafting, canoeing, and rock climbing.

Matt is a business owner/entrepreneur, active volunteer, project manager, and grant writer with over twenty years of contributing to a better Meadow River Valley and Greenbrier County.

Sarah is the director of the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League where she works to get more kids on bikes across the state. She and her husband, Max, own & operate Hammer Cycles bike shop in Lewisburg, WV. Sarah serves on the boards of the Greenbrier Valley Off-road Bicycling Association and the Greenbrier Valley Hellbenders Youth Mountain Bike Team. She is a member of the Lewisburg Parks Commission. 

 Jessica Sutton serves as the Interim Director of Outdoor Economic Development at the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Collaborative, where she works with communities, organizations, and partners across West Virginia to advance outdoor recreation infrastructure, strengthen local capacity, and support community and economic development. With more than 20 years of experience in state and local government, Jessica brings expertise in collaboration, strategic planning, and project management to initiatives that improve quality of life while creating lasting economic opportunity.

A lifelong advocate for the outdoors, Jessica believes that trails, rivers, forests, and public lands are catalysts for healthier communities and more resilient local economies. She is the founder and board chair of Elkins Area Shared Trails (EAST), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing people together through the development, stewardship, and activation of local trail systems. She also serves as the Elkins representative and board chair of the Mon Forest Towns Partnership, leading regional collaboration among gateway communities connected to the Monongahela National Forest.

When she's not working to build stronger outdoor communities, you'll likely find Jessica trail running, floating a local river, snowboarding on a bluebird day, or playing tennis before winding down with friends and a favorite local beverage. 

James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., who became the seventh president of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in July 2018, has led the institution to national prominence as a recognized leader in producing graduates who practice in rural settings and as the leader in producing physicians who practice in West Virginia.

Under Nemitz’s guidance, WVSOM, the largest medical school in the state, continues to achieve a 100% residency placement rate for graduates, with students entering primary care residency programs, which encompass the fields of family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, as well as popular specialties, including emergency medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and OB-GYN.

Since leading WVSOM through the COVID-19 pandemic, Nemitz has overseen facility growth, program expansion, curriculum changes, and economic development efforts. WVSOM, one of the area’s largest employers and an economic engine for the region, is currently in the construction phase of a $35 million expansion of its science and research facility, including the development of the Greenbrier Valley Bio Hub, an innovation and collaboration center on the school’s Lewisburg campus.

Nemitz, who is also a tenured professor of anatomy with more than 30 years of service at WVSOM, previously served as vice president for administration and external relations for eight years at WVSOM.

Nemitz earned a doctorate degree in anatomy from the Medical College of Virginia and completed postdoctoral fellowships in neuroscience from both the Yale University School of Medicine and the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Nemitz completed a Health Policy Fellowship in 2017 through the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Don Smith works with Office of the President and the Marketing Department on messaging and communications for the school of medicine.

Prior to joining WVSOM, Smith served more than a decade as executive director of the West Virginia Press Association, working with media in West Virginia and federal and state leaders. He was also active with national media organizations and committees. Smith spent more than 35 years working in media across West Virginia.

Smith is a native of Moundsville, W.Va., and a graduate of West Liberty State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oral Communications. He is an award-winning publisher, editor, photographer and journalist.

Aaron Brossoit is the CEO and a founding member of Golden Shovel Agency, an economic development communications firm working with over 400 communities globally. Aaron is a creative at heart, driven by a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and design. As an entrepreneur, he views business as a powerful platform for bringing new ideas to the world. He is especially passionate about economic development, finding great satisfaction in connecting people and businesses with communities where they can thrive, thus creating a significant, lasting impact. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, biking, board games, poetry, playing the bass guitar and spending time with his wife and son in Stillwater, Minnesota. 

Dave is the Director of Woodlands Development Group, a Community Development Corporation, and Woodlands Community Lenders, a certified Community Development Financial Institution. He manages programs related to new housing development and housing rehabilitation, downtown redevelopment, community facilities and planning, and small business lending. Dave currently serves on the boards of Fahe, Davis Trust Company, and the WV Land Trust, and is a recent Emerson Collective Fellow. 

James “Jim” Spencer was appointed as the SBA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator on March 17, 2025. In his role, he is responsible for field staff of loan, business, and community outreach specialists overseeing the delivery and management of the federal agency’s small business programs, financial assistance, and business development initiatives. The Mid-Atlantic Region serves Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

Mr. Spencer has more than 35 years of experience in economic development and local government. Prior to accepting the White House appointment, he most recently served as the executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, where he oversaw the development of numerous key projects, including Intuit’s Downtown Prosperity HUB that created over 300 jobs, the OMNIS Building Technologies plant that is proposed to create over 150-300 jobs, and the launch of a food truck incubator providing entrepreneurial support, access to training, and utilization of a food truck. During his time at BEDA, Mr. Spencer developed the Bluefield Commercialization Station, a 60,000 square foot manufacturing-focused incubator.

He also previously served as Tazewell County administrator and administrator of the Tazewell County Public Service Authority. He is a graduate of Bluefield State College with bachelor’s degrees in applied science and civil engineering technology. 

Jennifer has been a public servant to the WV Department of Environmental Protection for over 12 years and has over 17 years of experience working in the environmental resource field. She is the Brownfields Coordinator, for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, her role is project management, grant writing and reporting and working with community-minded groups to support and implement projects as it relates to brownfields. Her previous work experience relates to water quality improvement projects and community groups relating to unregulated stormwater where my experience working with people and complex environmental issues parallel the brownfield work. Jennifer is a Florida native, graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation, minor in Wildlife Ecology and spent several years as a field biologist traveling (with her house on wheels) across the country conducting work such as bird and plant surveys, prescribed burning, and environmental education . She completed her M.S. course work in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida and decided to make West Virginia her home after seeing the vast ecological beauty of the rivers and forests where she is raising her two sons. 

John Stump concentrates his practice in the areas of municipal bonds, project finance, economic development, and utility regulation. Mr. Stump’s experience includes significant involvement in tax-exempt and taxable bond issues of all types, a variety of economic development projects, and providing legal representation to utilities, financial institutions, and municipal and other public bodies.

Mr. Stump has extensive experience as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, and issuer’s counsel for tax-exempt and taxable bond issues for public works of state agencies, counties, municipalities, and public service districts, as well as conduit financings for 501(c)(3) corporations, private educational institutions, and industrial development projects.

Mr. Stump has represented a number of companies, ranging from Fortune 500 international conglomerates to privately held start-ups, in the negotiation and identification of state economic development incentive packages. He has negotiated, and implemented, all types of development incentives, including Tax Increment Financing, Economic Opportunity Districts, and Tourism Development Credits.

Mr. Stump regularly represents utilities before regulatory agencies. His experience includes testifying as an expert witness before regulatory agencies on project financing issues.

 Heidi Prior has spent more than 25 years working across the outdoor industry—from guiding rivers around the world and serving as a river ranger to leading marketing for one of the country’s premier whitewater outfitters. Her experience also includes small-business development, government affairs and trade show facilitation with America Outdoors, and national tourism initiatives with Miles Partnership.

Today, through the West Virginia University Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, Heidi is helping build a stronger, more connected outdoor economy in Appalachia. She produced West Virginia’s first Outdoor Economy Summit and is leading the formation of the West Virginia Outdoor Business & Industry Alliance. Her work combines the practical perspective of someone who has spent her career in the industry with a talent for bringing businesses, communities and partners together around what comes next.

Her north star is her son, Anders—though she can no longer keep up with him on a bike or skis. 

Heather Vanater is an experienced economic development professional with more than 19 years leading major business attraction, retention and expansion projects in West Virginia. She began her career in a local economic development authority and increased her skill sets during her time as business retention and expansion rep for the WV Division of Economic Development.

Prior to joining the Data Economy team as Deputy Director, she managed high-impact investment projects including securing Google’s upcoming data center campus and Nucor Steel during her career at Appalachian Power Company as their manager for business & economic development.

Heather brings business recruitment, site development, utility-focused economic development and cross-agency collaboration experience in her new role with the Data Economy Office.

Heather has been an active member of several professional organizations primarily at the state and local levels, is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia and maintains professional development training in economic development, site development, project management and recently, practical regulatory training for electric industry. 

Dr. Bonny Copenhaver is the fourth president of New River Community and Technical College. With over 30 years of experience in community colleges in a variety of positions, Bonny is an ardent advocate for community colleges because of their open access mission and their positive impact on their communities. Since arriving in 2019, New River CTC enrollment stabilized and is growing, and she restored sound financial management including creating a cash reserve for the College. She has presided over several new program offerings that are in response to the changing economic needs of the region. The College received over $13 million in private, local, state, and federal funding including two congressionally directed spending allocations under her leadership. Bonny is a three-time graduate from East Tennessee State University with two degrees in English and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. She also holds a second master’s from Western Kentucky University in Social Responsibilities and Sustainable Communities and a third master’s in Legal Studies with a concentration in HR and Employment Law from the Texas A&M School of Law. 

Tracey Valach is a visionary educator and outdoor enthusiast dedicated to bridging the gap between local communities and the natural wonders of West Virginia. As the founder and director of Nature’s Mountain Classroom (NMC) and the Adventure Pocahontas program, she has transformed the local landscape into a vibrant educational resource for students from preschool through 12th grade.

A resident of Snowshoe and an alumna of West Virginia University with degrees in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and Communication Studies, Tracey recognized a disconnect in her community: while Pocahontas County is a world-class destination for outdoor tourism, many local children had never participated in the activities—such as skiing, hiking, or kayaking—available in their own backyards.

Tracey is an avid outdoorswoman who finds her greatest satisfaction in watching her own two children and her students discover joy and confidence in the mountains. Beyond NMC, she has served as a Youth Nutrition Educator and a certified Kidding Around Yoga instructor, always seeking ways to promote the health and mindfulness of the "whole child." 

Monica Cross serves as the Executive Director of the Explore the New Manufacturing Program, a West Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cultivating future talent within the Mountain State. The program achieves this by connecting middle and high school students with local manufacturers, using project-based, hands-on learning initiatives to build awareness about industry careers and the necessary educational pathways.
Since Monica joined in 2018, her leadership has been instrumental, resulting in the Explore Program impacting over 15,000 students, engaging dozens of educators, and partnering with nearly 200 industry leaders.

Her commitment to this work has earned several accolades, including the 2025 CTE Distinguished Service Award from the West Virginia Department of Education and the Best of CTE Outstanding Business/Education Partnership Award from the Association of Career and Technical Education Region 1 (also recognized by the West Virginia Association of Career and Technical Education).

In her personal time, Monica enjoys serving her community, running, cooking, gardening, reading, campfires, and spending time with her husband, Michael, and children, Declan and Lydia. 

Samantha was born and raised in Pocahontas County and has been involved with the High Rocks program since 1997, serving as a member, junior counselor, junior board member, and later as a member of the Board of Directors. She graduated from Pocahontas County High School in 2001 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from West Virginia University.

After college, Samantha worked as a Financial Analyst specializing in government contracts before starting and co-owning her own company. She later joined the High Rocks staff and currently works with the First2 Network, coordinating college students across West Virginia.

 Mr. Basile is Spilman's Managing Member. His primary areas of practice are state and local government law, business expansion & development, land use planning, and administrative law centering on economic and community development. Throughout his career, Mr. Basile has drafted and promoted legislation and administrative rules before the West Virginia Legislature and Executive Branch, negotiated business site locations, crafted public-private partnerships, established U.S. operating entities for international clients, and facilitated foreign trade zones. 

Chad Riley, PE, Vice President of Business Development, has served in a variety of roles at The Thrasher Group. He currently oversees high-level operations across the company, specializing in industrial, business, and multi-use developments.

After graduating with an engineering degree from Fairmont State University, Chad began his career with Thrasher as a construction inspector. Working at every level within the company, he rose to the leadership level and was named as a partner. A large portion of Chad’s career has focused on delivering strategically designed sites for a multitude of manufacturing and commercial clients. His responsibilities include client communication, engineering design, funding, and bidding/construction management for Thrasher’s large-scale industrial projects. He remains highly involved with each of his clients, walking them through every stage of their project and helping them navigate regulatory and permitting processes. His ability to connect with people, foresee opportunities, and find solutions are at the core of his success.

Chad’s passion for bringing economic growth to West Virginia and surrounding region has made major impacts on the success of his client’s endeavors. He has been heavily involved in dozens of economic development projects throughout the region and continues to keep a pulse on the influx of industrial growth to local areas.

As CEO of Pickering Associates, Ryan provides the leadership, strategic vision and guidance to an experienced team of design professionals and project managers serving clients spread over 5 offices in WV and Ohio. He identifies sustainable growth opportunities and develop key strategies that add value to customers, motivation to employees, and maximum return to shareholders. He also continues to contribute to and manage a variety of projects.
Ryan’s previous assignments have enabled him to master the building process with industrial and commercial projects in high detail utilizing a hands-on approach. Ryan’s passion is to help clients attain their technical objectives, realize their dreams and to do so without compromising schedule and budgetary constraints.
Ryan volunteers his time on several Non-Profit Boards including the Westbrook Health Services, Polymer Alliance Zone, The Buckskin Council BSA, and the Wood County Development Authority. 

Robbie Morris is the Executive Director of the Randolph County Development Authority and West Virginia Wood Technology Center in Elkins, where his primary responsibility is the recruitment, retention, and expansion of business, and workforce development. Mr. Morris was elected to the West Virginia State Senate in November 2024. He is the Chairman of the Committee on Government Organization and serves on the Finance, Transportation & Infrastructure, Banking & Insurance, and Natural Resources Committees. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development. He serves as Chairman of the Corridor H Highway Authority, Immediate Past-Chairman of Leadership West Virginia, and serves on the board of directors for several statewide non-profit and local community organizations. Robbie lives in Elkins with his wife, Whitney and daughters, Elin and Tinley. 

Jeremy McGill is a Buckhannon West Virginia native holding a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources Management from WVU. He’s worked in the forest industry for nearly 30 years doing forest inventory, purchasing timber, overseeing Logging Operations and also in State Government for the Division of Forestry. He was hired by the Division in 2002 as one of the first LSCA foresters to focus on logging inspections. In 2007 he was promoted to Assistant State Forester for Logging Sediment Control and Managed Timberland. 

Lindsey joined the Wood County Development Authority in 2016 and has been vital in helping Wood County grow. Lindsey is a graduate of Ohio State University. Prior to her current role, Lindsey served as the Public Affairs Liaison for the State of Ohio Treasurer where she was responsible for 23 counties in Central and Southeast Ohio. Lindsey also served as the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Delaware, Ohio—the fastest growing City in the fastest growing County in Ohio. Lindsey resides in Williamstown with her husband Brett and son, Sidney. 

Christine Davies joined the West Virginia Department of Commerce as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce Participation after spending twenty-five years at the intersection of business, technology, policy, and entrepreneurship.

Christine most recently served as a Founder and CEO of Poligage, the first on-demand government and public-affairs expert marketplace, where from 2018 through 2024 she built a network of more than 250 firms with public policy, regulatory, and public affairs expertise who served clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies and trade associations.

Previously, Christine served as Vice President of Global Partnerships at Asia Society, a global non-profit founded to build strong relations between the United States and the nations of Asia. Christine managed the Asia Society’s global fundraising network to negotiate millions of dollars in strategic partnerships with companies, foundations, and government agencies while also helping to launch the Asia Society Policy Institute, a now globally top ranked think tank.

Earlier in her career, Christine served as a Solution Specialist at Microsoft, working to develop and harvest repeatable digital solutions for public sector organizations across the United States and around the world that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Christine began her career at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of State, where she supported international economic policy initiatives and advanced U.S. trade and diplomatic priorities around the world.

Christine holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a BA in Politics and Communications from the University of Maryland. She enjoys playing golf, exploring historic sites, and staying active with various wellness activities in her spare time.