Director of Communications and External Affairs, American Water Mid-Atlantic Division By Maggie Hatfield From an early age, Laura Martin, director of communications and external affairs for American Water’s Mid-Atlantic Division, had the poise, composure and professionalism needed to excel in a public relations career. Growing up, Martin didn’t have a concrete idea of what career…
Partner, Bowles Rice LLP By Samantha Cart Growing up in Ripley, WV, Ashley Hardesty Odell’s earliest jobs put her in contact with a variety of people from all walks of life, inspiring in her a desire to learn more about diverse perspectives. From babysitting to teaching piano lessons to working as a bank teller to…
General Manager, West Virginia Black Bears By Samantha Cart “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on this earth.” This quote by professional baseball player Roberto Clemente is a mantra for Matthew Drayer, general manager for the West Virginia Black…
Assistant Dean, Outreach & Engagement; Director, Bureau of Business & Economic Research; and Associate Professor, WVU By Jennifer Jett Prezkop A child of the ‘80S, John Deskins remembers listening to Quiet Riot and imagining what it would be like to be a rock star. Though not quite how he envisioned, his dream of becoming an…
Owner, Cary Law Office, PLLC By Samantha Cart For Michael Cary, owner of Cary Law Office, PLLC, personal and career success are tied up in the importance of family, education and leadership. Born in Charlotte, NC, and raised in Charleston, WV, Cary is one of five children, and his parents and siblings have played a…
Vice President of Projects, Pickering Associates, Inc. By Jean Hardiman Zac Campbell, vice president of projects for Pickering Associates, Inc. in Parkersburg, WV, applies the same pride and determination to his work today that he applied on the baseball field as a student athlete for Fairmont State University. “When training for baseball, always in the…