President, A.V. Lauttamus Communications, Inc.; Lauttamus Security, LLC; and Lauttamus Holding, Inc. By Maggie Hatfield Growing up in Philippi, WV, Paul Lauttamus came from very humble beginnings. He realized at a young age that if he worked hard and never quit, he could achieve anything, and he believes he learned his exceptional work ethic from…
President, West Virginia Potato Chip Company By Kristen Uppercue Growing up, Mary Anne Ketelsen helped care for her bedridden grandmother, a task that sparked a desire in her to help people. She looked first to the medical field and graduated from WVU Parkersburg with an associate degree in applied science. She worked for seven years…
Director of Strategy and Design Impact, Hersick + Webster Strategy + Brand Partners By Olivia Miller James Hersick, director of strategy and design impact at Hersick + Webster design agency, is more than just an award-winning graphic artist. He is a strategist, illustrator, photographer and entrepreneur who utilizes his passion as a creative and as…
Executive Director, Camp Dawson Event Center By Lori Kersey Even before she chose a career path, Kerry Gnik knew she wanted to be part of a team. “That common thread ran throughout my ‘what do I want to be when I grow up’ dreams,” says Gnik, executive director of the Camp Dawson Event Center (CDEC).…
President, Marshall University By Amanda Larch Marshall University President Jerry Gilbert fell in love with West Virginia in 1973 and always hoped he would get to come back to the state. A Mississippi native, Gilbert was chosen as a high school senior to be one of two Mississippi delegates to the National Youth Science Camp…
On June 1, 2021, The EdVenture Group, Inc. will celebrate 20 years of service to West Virginia, the Appalachia Region, and the nation. Established by a high-school mathematics teacher, Dr. Lydotta Taylor, in 2001, The EdVenture Group was founded to provide technology support and training to educators. Remaining as agile and adaptive as the education…