Positively West Virginia

  Kristina Szczyrbak is the Executive Director of WV Women Work, Inc. headquartered in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia Women Work, Inc. (WVWW) was founded in 2000 with the mission of helping women to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Today the organization operates the Step Up for Women Pre-Apprenticeship Program with satellite training sites housed within registered apprenticeship centers across the state of West Virginia with two construction training sites and two advanced manufacturing training sites, all exclusively for women.  Continue reading Episode 114 – Kristina Szczyrbak – WV Women Work at Positively West Virginia.

  Patrick Grady is an owner and the VP of Sales and Marketing of Power Sonix originally headquartered in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Power Sonix was formed in 1997 in Martinsburg, West Virginia from the remnants of a predecessor company.  Since then they have carried on a 50-year tradition of innovation in lightweight, high-power, high-intelligibility speech projection for aircraft, ships, vehicles and security networks.  Today, their newest technologies provide even more power for the clearest speech projection over long distances available anywhere in the world. Continue reading Episode 113 – Patrick Grady – Power Sonix at Positively West Virginia.

Dan Conant  is the Founder and CEO of Solar Holler headquartered in Huntington, West Virginia – in Cabell County. Dan is an 8 year veteran of the solar industry, Dan previously helped start-up the largest solar installer in Vermont and served as a technical advisor to the US Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. He has an MS in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins.  At Solar Holler, they relentlessly pursue innovative approaches that bring solar within reach of the people and places who have always been left out.  Continue reading Episode 112 – Dan Conant – Solar Holler at Positively West Virginia.

Sandy Guilianni is the owner of Whippoorwill Woods and Waters located in Morgantown, WV. Whippoorwill is an artisan gift shop and teaching studio located in the historic Seneca Center. Displayed in their amazing space are more than 70 artisans, many from West Virginia. She also has her own creations in this beautiful 3,000 square foot space with an outdoor deck addition that borders the Caperton rail trail.             SHOW NOTES: 3:39 Sandy take a minute, fill in some gaps from that brief intro and give us a little behind the curtain look into your company. Continue reading Episode 111 – Sandy Guiliiani – Whippoorwill Woods and Waters at Positively West Virginia.

Kent Leonhardt is the commissioner of the West Virginia department of agriculture. He was elected in November of 2016 and took office in January of 2017. Kent is also a farmer operating a 380 acre farm near Fairview in Monongalia County, West Virginia. He raises sheep, cattle, goats, and hay. He formerly served in the West Virginia state senate for the second district. He is retired from the United States Marine Core as a lieutenant colonel, holds a degree in wildlife management from the University of Missouri, and an MBA from Central Michigan University. Continue reading Episode 110 – Kent Leonhardt – WV Department of Agriculture at Positively West Virginia.

Growing up in the ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia inspired Tighe to reverse the dilapidation of buildings in historic towns. With dual degrees in Accounting and Business Management – Magna Cum Laude, a Juris Doctorate, and 15 years of construction experience, Tighe has put himself to the task of preserving West Virginia history. As a raft guide, ski instructor, and mountaineer, Tighe makes the most of living in the Mountain State. Tighe also serves on multiple nonprofit and advisory boards, including the WV Small Business Development Center, the Mount Hope Historic Landmark Commission, and as a city councilman in his hometown of Thurmond.  Continue reading Episode 109 – Tighe Bullock – Bullock Properties at Positively West Virginia.

Rusty Isaacs is the Owner of Mountaineer Roasting located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Rusty Isaacs was born in Charleston WV and lived there his entire life until he came to West Virginia University in 2011. Where he graduated with a degree in International Development. While in college he was a leader in the youth ministry Young Life and I was also very involved in a student run coffee company called First Hand. Continue reading Episode 108 – Rusty Isaacs – Mountaineer Roasting at Positively West Virginia.

Alex Reneman  is the Owner of Mountain Leverage located in Grafton, West Virginia – in Taylor County. Alex Reneman is the President and CEO of Mountain Leverage; a software company.  Alex is an entrepreneur, a veteran, a community leader, husband and father. Alex is a lifelong West Virginian, having grown up in Grafton and eventually returning to start and operate Mountain Leverage. After starting and operating a handful of local businesses, Alex was given sage advice by an older local gentleman; “ Son, if you want to help your community, you need to let the rest of this go and focus on Mountain Leverage.” Alex followed that advice and now, 15 years later, Mountain Leverage has grown to serve international markets and customers ranging from Fortune 50 to family owned operations. Continue reading Episode 107 – Alex Reneman – Mountain Leverage at Positively West Virginia.

Keith Uphold was born and raised in Kingwood, WV (Preston County) and still  lives in Kingwood with his wife Hope where they own and operate Legacy Woodworking & CNC, LLC. With over 20 years in the manufacturing industry Keith believes in the simplicity of hard work, integrity and honesty; that each one of us has a purpose and each one of us will leave a “Legacy”. It’s up to us as to what that “Legacy” will be. Continue reading Episode 106 – Keith Uphold – Legacy Woodworking & CNC at Positively West Virginia.

Stacy Raffo is the Owner of Whistle Punk Grill and Taphouse located in Richwood, West Virginia – in Nicholas County. Whistle Punk Grill and Taphouse is a casual dining restaurant located in downtown Richwood. Owners, Lance and Stacy Raffo love Richwood, the Mountaineers, WV, adventure and good food, they wanted to bring their style of food to a place they love.  The Whistle Punk serves handcrafted food with unique flavor combinations, utilizing as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.  Continue reading Episode 105 – Lance and Stacy Raffo – Whistle Punk Grill and Taphouse at Positively West Virginia.

Jeremy Turner is the Founder & Managing Director of EPIC Mission located in Huntington, West Virginia – in Cabell County. Jeremy is a native of Huntington, WV, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marshall University and an MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Jeremy has served in leadership roles for industry giants and grassroots startup ventures within the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.  At EPIC Mission, they build and restore thriving, resilient, hope-filled communities across Appalachia and beyond. Continue reading Episode 104 – Jeremy Turner – EPIC Mission at Positively West Virginia.

Booker Walton is the Majority owner of Mountaineer Technology Consultants located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Booker Walton is a technology entrepreneur, from Morgantown, West Virginia. Mountaineer Technology Consultants also known as MTC –  was formed in 2016 by Booker and is the culmination of an idea shared between friends, to bring a small business feel with a large impact for West Virginia residents. Booker holds a variety of certifications, including Certified Data Center Management Professional, Knowledge Centered Support Principles, Support Center Manager Certification, as well as educational certifications such as Blackboard Graphical User Interface Administrator.  Continue reading Episode 103 – Booker Walton – Mountaineer Technology Consultants at Positively West Virginia.

Wade Linger is the President and CEO of TMC Technologies of West Virginia located in Fairmont, West Virginia – in Marion  County. After serving as a computer programmer in the Air Force, he began working as a defense contractor for ManTech International Corp., where he wrote and maintained U.S. Navy software that tracks aircraft maintenance and parts; and pilot flight hours. In 1992, he established ManTech’s West Virginia operations in Fairmont. Wade has spent much of his professional career in the fields of technology and research, including a stint as the first vice president of research for the West Virginia High Technology Consortium. Continue reading Episode 102 – Wade Linger – TMC Technologies of West Virginia at Positively West Virginia.

This week we are releasing a special edition podcast featuring Jack Hammersmith, a member of The Rotary Club of Morgantown. Jack shares the history of Rotary and our country. Continue reading Special Edition – Jack Hammersmith at Positively West Virginia.

Anne Barth is the Executive Director for Tech Connect LLC of Tech Connect located in Fairmont, West Virginia – in Marion  County. TechConnect West Virginia, is a non-profit organization focused on driving innovation, cultivating entrepreneurship and creating greater economic diversity.  With a coalition representing higher education, private industry and the public sector, TechConnect leads innovation-based economic development in the state.  Under her leadership, Anne has helped to advance programs and initiatives that foster startups, commercialization and entrepreneurship, while also co-founding the West Virginia Women & Technology Conference.  Continue reading Episode 101 – Anne Barth – Tech Connect at Positively West Virginia.

    Benjy Simpson is the Managing Member for Bridge Walk LLC of Bridge Walk located in Lansing, West Virginia – in Fayette  County. Bridge Walk is a one-of-a-kind bridge walk where you cross the catwalk under the world-famous New River Gorge Bridge on a panoramic three-hour adventure. Bridge Walk was founded in 2009 as a cooperative effort between the National Park Service, the West Virginia Division of Highways, and the partners that make up Bridge Walk LLC. Continue reading Episode 100 – Benjy Simpson – Bridge Walk at Positively West Virginia.

  Emily Kurth is the Owner of Coco and June located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Emily Kurth is a wife and mother to 3 boys and the owner of Coco & June where she creates joyful abstract art and lifestyle goods. Emily was born and raised in Morgantown, and is proud to have her business in her home state.  After a life altering diagnosis forced Emily to find ways to reduce her stress, she picked up a paint brush and Coco & June was born. Continue reading Episode #99 – Emily Kurth – Coco & June at Positively West Virginia.

  Katy Orr-Dove is a third generation farmer and entrepreneur at George Orr & Sons, Inc. also doing business as Orr’s Farm Market. This 550 acre farm is located in Martinsburg, WV and has been in operation since 1954.  Katy’s grandfather, George S. Orr, Jr. was the founder of the business and started a legacy of […]

Adam Stephens and Rich Ireland are the Owners of Arrowhead Bike Farm located in Fayetteville, West Virginia – in Fayette County. Arrowhead Bike Farm is a A New River Gorge gathering point for adventurers of all kinds. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, you can rent a bike, camp and enjoy Outdoor dining on their deck or […]

  Julie Bryan is the Executive Director of SPARK! Imagination and Science Center located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. SPARK! Imagination and Science Center is a non-profit hands-on children’s museum and science center that inspires people of all ages to explore science and the arts through hands-on exhibits and programs that spark […]