The Pulse of West Virginia
By Anna Moore
West Virginia Executive reached out to more than 20 in-state business executives to hear their take on the Mountain State’s economic future. We solicited responses from executives in varying industries that we feel have their finger on the pulse of West Virginia. We wanted to know their ideas for a more prosperous future and get their feel for the current state of doing business and living in West Virginia. All were invited to answer the same six questions. Of the ones who responded, we narrowed their answers down to the most impactful response from each executive. Here is what they had to say:
How do you feel about the long-term prospects of the state?
“There are numerous successful examples of private industry working with government that have resulted in new significant commercial investments and improvements to existing infrastructure—and there are many works in progress, all of which bode well for West Virginia’s future.”
Jim Fawcett, President of Highmark West Virginia, Parkersburg
“After more than 30 years of headwinds, both structural and cyclical, West Virginia and our region are now enjoying significant tailwinds, both structural and cyclical. While we continue to face challenges and issues, there is no question in my mind that West Virginia is entering a golden age and that West Virginians will enjoy prosperity and opportunity over the next several decades.”
Tom Heywood, Partner & Business Development Chair at Bowles Rice LLP, Charleston
“As someone who recently chose to join a West Virginia-based business and relocate from Tennessee, I am genuinely excited about the long-term prospects of this state. My family and I recently moved into our new home in Wheeling. In our first year as residents, we’ve found West Virginia offers a unique combination of welcoming communities, natural beauty and a business-friendly economic environment.”
Jeffrey Jackson, President & CEO of WesBanco, Wheeling
There is a national workforce shortage. How do you feel West Virginia is doing comparatively, and what can it do better?
“Many meetings about workforce development focus on skills gaps and training needs. Those are legitimate issues, but what needs more focus are what I call human elements. Most employers simply want workers who are on time, have a positive attitude and are willing to work diligently and learn. When employers find workers, there are often overwhelming barriers to success: addiction, trauma, illness, lack of transportation, lack of child care, etc. We need to do a much better job of addressing human elements.”
Brandon Dennison, Founder & Executive President of Coalfield Development, Barboursville
“Education and training to grow a capable and stable workforce will be key to West Virginia’s future growth and success in the defense industry. Providing more than just traditional classroom education in the form of certifications and continuing education will also be key. We must develop a process for stackable credentials to lead to degrees.”
Retired Major General James Hoyer, Vice President of Economic Innovation at WVU & Senior Advisor of Civil Military Innovation Institute, Morgantown
“Demographers explain that the U.S. and virtually all of the developed world are heading toward a substantial population collapse. West Virginia and the U.S. either need to start having a lot more children or substantially increase immigration.”
Brian Joseph, President & CEO of Touchstone Research Laboratory, Triadelphia
What are your thoughts about the recent tax reform legislation in House Bill 2526? What do you think is the next best step?
“It is a great first step. We need a tax code that promotes job creation and economic growth in a way that draws people to our state and keeps West Virginia’s sons and daughters home. West Virginia has a financial catastrophe coming. We need to grow our population. Three of the fastest growing states in the country all have one thing in common: zero state income tax. Our state needs to follow suit.”
Chris Miller, President of Dutch Miller Automotive Group, Huntington
“Whether large numbers of people move to the Mountain State due to a lower income tax than surrounding states remains to be seen. From a tax fairness perspective, however, the bigger accomplishment might be the work-around in the bill that alleviates, in the form of a rebate, the tangible personal property tax burden on personal automobiles and equipment, inventory and machinery for some small businesses.”
Jason Pizatella, CEO of Contractors Association of West Virginia, Charleston
“I applaud political leadership with tackling the modernization of the West Virginia tax code. I understand how difficult it is to start changing anything in the tax code—from levying, assessing or collecting—but I think it’s essential to keep West Virginia competitive.”
Bob Tweel, Managing Member of Jackson Kelly PLLC, Charleston
Do you see any unique opportunities on the horizon for West Virginia’s energy or manufacturing industries?
“Our state must continue to focus on innovating and moving toward areas that will allow us to grow and have different manufacturing capabilities. We need to make sure we have economic security and are less dependent on foreign imports to supply our needs. I also believe bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. will help us to have a thriving middle class and ensure we are self-sufficient.”
Major General Bill Crane, Adjutant General of West Virginia, Charleston
“One of the greatest opportunities for West Virginia is gas-fired power generation. In West Virginia, only 4.5% of electricity is generated by natural gas. We have this clean, abundant resource literally at our feet and we must seize this opportunity for new investments, job creation and environmental gains that are only made possible with natural gas.”
Kyle Mork, President & CEO of Greylock Energy, Charleston
“Additive manufacturing offers opportunities for on-demand production and supply chain transformations, and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) can speed optimization and increase productivity. West Virginia has been upskilling opportunities in advanced manufacturing, machine learning, AI, aerospace, automotive and renewable energy industries—the best is yet to come.”
Charlotte Weber, Vice President for Government Relations at Marshall University, Huntington
“West Virginia’s contributions to the energy industry are legendary, so having the state continue in its leadership role in this sector is a natural fit, even as it transforms itself. Linking both the manufacturing and energy sectors together, as the state is doing with Form Energy of Massachusetts through the new battery plant it is building in Weirton, sends a clear signal that West Virginia is an outstanding place to do business.”
Albert Wright, President & CEO of WVU Medicine, Morgantown
What are the most innovative changes you have seen recently in the state?
“One of the greatest changes needed was the passage of House Bill 2006, which split the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) into three parts. Since the DHHR provides an array of services to many West Virginia residents in need, these changes should help those seeking services navigate the system with greater ease.”
Tiffany Lawrence, Shenandoah Valley Lead Director at Orion Strategies, Martinsburg
“In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with many out-of-state companies that have chosen West Virginia as home. We have made some major positive changes that impact our ability to compete. While some of them required hard decisions, we are finally seeing that innovative spirit take hold in our state. If we continue to tell our story and make needed innovative changes that will enhance the business climate, I am confident other companies will soon call West Virginia home.”
Susan Lavenski, CEO of Charles Ryan Associates, Charleston
“From CRW’s perspective, the new partnership with Breeze Airways between the West Virginia Department of Tourism, Kanawha County Commission and City of Charleston is a massive investment in our state’s aviation industry. The tourism department has taken an extremely innovative approach by creating a multi-year partnership with a fast-growing, low-cost carrier that opens the door to more cities and destinations.”
Dominique Ranieri, CEO & Airport Director at West Virginia International Yeager Airport, Charleston
Do you have any innovative ideas for West Virginia or the industry you work within?
“The tourism industry has so much potential to collaborate with partners and develop more assets. Gone are the days when a convention and visitors bureau was just the destination marketing organization. We are also working with West Virginia departments of tourism and commerce, cities, counties, local economic development authorities and even federal agencies in crafting, developing and funding projects that enhance the community.”
Annette Bates, CEO of Jefferson County CVB, Harpers Ferry
“We have an opportunity to position the state as a leader in data sciences. There is more climate and weather data passing through West Virginia than any other state. That data provides the fuel for a multibillion-dollar commercial climate and weather industry. If we can successfully establish a local interface to that data stream, it could position the state as the epicenter of a multibillion-dollar knowledge sector expansion.”
Jim Estep, President & CEO of High Technology Foundation, Fairmont
“Our technical programs must be able to prepare a workforce that is ready to work based on the needs of local industry. It makes good business sense to encourage and facilitate collaboration among public schools, higher education and local businesses to create pipelines to jobs and careers.”
Torie Jackson, President of WVU Parkersburg, Parkersburg
“West Virginia should set a goal to have the fastest internet available and invest in that endeavor to see it yield returns many times over. This investment in broadband should also coincide with an investment in innovative ideas to reuse coal mine sites and invest in downtown coal communities.”
Eric Lewis, Chief Financial Officer at Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc., Shepherdstown
