Chad Prather

Photo by Chris Gosses Photography.

By Jamie Null

Chad Prather loved sports and math as a child. Decades later, Prather is using those skills. He’s replaced his jersey with a suit, is still leading a West Virginia team and is still doing math.

“As president of the Huntington Bank West Virginia Region, I lead our colleagues across the state to deliver financial insights and solutions to our clients and give back to the communities we serve,” Prather says. “I love what I do. My work allows me to focus on the three things I enjoy most: helping our clients fulfill their dreams, helping our colleagues develop to meet their career aspirations and contributing to the communities in West Virginia to make our home the best place it can be.”

Prather credits all those years playing sports and his parents for giving him the skills he needed to become a leader.His father taught him about teamwork, winning with grace, losing with dignity, playing fair and helping others achieve their goals. Prather’s mother showed him that it is possible to be successful in business while being present for the family and an active community member.

“My mom is one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met,” Prather says. “Although she had a demanding career, she never missed one of my events. She’s been there for both me and my sister, Paula, for every one of our milestones and has helped to shape us into the people we are today. I wouldn’t be the leader or the father I am without her influence.”

Prather’s first professional job took him to Columbus, Ohio, where he completed the bank training program with Fifth Third Bank. In 2006, he joined Huntington Bank in the commercial banking group, returning to West Virginia in 2008. After multiple promotions, he was appointed West Virginia regional president in 2018—becoming the youngest regional president in Huntington’s history.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity,” Prather says. “I am thankful for the invaluable benefit of learning from my experienced colleagues who helped me reach this milestone. While my title is an achievement, my greatest achievement is realized when my clients achieve their goals, and Huntington Bank helps the communities we serve with job growth and economic prosperity.”

Prather stays motivated by focusing on his clients, colleagues and the community, partnering with organizations that impact West Virginians.

While he serves as a mentor to his colleagues and community partners, it’s his role as a dad that provided him with the greatest opportunity. Prather coached his daughter Haley’s travel volleyball team for several years.

“I hope I instilled some of the same values in those girls as my father did for me and my teammates,” Prather says. “I’ll always be grateful for the time I spent with her, and I hope she carries the life lessons with her wherever she goes.”

Prather currently serves on the board of directors for the Mountaineer Food Bank, West Virginia Bankers Association and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He is also the treasurer of the board for Leadership West Virginia.

Prather enjoys helping companies achieve their goals and has worked with economic development boards to help make West Virginia a place where businesses want to be and people want to live.

Going forward, Prather plans to become more involved with the state’s veterans’ programs.

“Both my father and my grandfather received the Purple Heart,” Prather says. “I want to honor their service by serving our veterans.”

Prather hopes to set an example for his daughter, Haley, and stepchildren, Aubrey and Eli.

“My wife, Gretchen, and I love West Virginia. It is our home,” he says. “We were born, raised and educated here. We want to do all we can to make sure that if our children want to stay here, opportunities and options exist for them to do so. In my opinion, the ability to make a distinct difference is greater in West Virginia than in other markets across the country. West Virginia has so much to offer and so much untapped opportunity. I truly believe the best days for our state are ahead of us.”