Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Work Force: Addressing West Virginia’s Education System
By Governor Earl Ray Tomblin As a former teacher, I know a solid education is the foundation on which one builds a secure life in today’s competitive global economy. With roots in business, I also understand the value of reliable, hardworking employees and entrepreneurial-spirited people who go the extra mile because it makes all the […]
From Textbooks to Tablets: Education in the 21st Century
By Kirsten Smith Imagine helping your child get ready for his or her first day of school and all that is packed in the extra-large, trail king backpack is a bottle of water, a mid-morning snack and a couple of number two pencils. Later that day your child comes home with a mobile computing device […]
Innovation Generation: Preparing a Generation of Entrepreneurs
By Mark Swiger When DreamQuest, the high school competition that drew attention to the need for young entrepreneurs, was recently discontinued in West Virginia, the future of student engagement in business looked bleak. Recent movements in restoring an even more systemic approach to entrepreneurship, however, has those involved in K-12 education, higher education, business and […]
The Future of Power Generation: A Q&A with Charles Patton
By Kensie Hamilton A tide is constantly changing, and the same is true for the energy industry in West Virginia. As new regulations in the coal and natural gas sectors continue to evolve, power generation must also make changes to keep pace. As each of us relies on the power that is provided to our […]
Driving Economic Growth: Natural Gas Vehicles
By Randy Coleman The United States spent almost $451 billion in 2011 on foreign oil—$1,468.27 for every American man, woman and child. Almost all of that foreign oil is consumed through vehicles on highways. Natural gas vehicles have been around for decades both here and abroad. More than 100,000 exist in the U.S., with millions […]
Reaching a Long-Term Balance: Energy and Manufacturing
By Joseph Eddy West Virginia has a rich history in the production of energy resources such as coal, oil, gas and, more recently, hydro-electric and wind turbine energy. For more than 150 years these resources have helped fuel our state and nation’s electric power generation and chemical, steel, aluminum, polymer, wood, automotive and glass manufacturing […]