President, West Virginia Manufacturers Association
Twitter: twitter.com/BexMcPhail
Facebook: facebook.com/BexMc
Written by Maggie Matsko
At an early age, Rebecca McPhail’s family taught her by example the importance of industry and public service in West Virginia. Her father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked as coal miners, and she watched her grandmother represent her community at the state capitol and lobby issues as a private citizen. Industry and public service—these are the cornerstones on which McPhail’s life began, and these are two of the elements that contribute to her success as the president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA).
Another element is her determination. “I am where I am today because I refuse to quit,” she says. Whether she is finishing a marathon, caring for her children or representing manufacturers in the Mountain State, she is a strong believer in giving 110 percent in all she’s doing. “Sometimes the most difficult situations in life are the ones that allow us an opportunity to do our best work, exhibit performance under pressure and help bring balance to a difficult situation,” she says.
One of those difficult situations arose just after she joined the WVMA. “I officially started in my new position on January 1, 2014, and a week later, on the first day of the legislative session, the Elk River chemical spill occurred,” she recalls. “What was supposed to be a period of learning and transitioning into my new position became a time of standing on the front lines of a legislative issue in an effort to represent companies who follow the rules and operate responsibly.”
Through challenge and change, McPhail’s career has been punctuated by strong, intelligent, hard-working individuals who have left their mark on her, including a group of women across a variety of backgrounds. “I’ve been fortunate to have worked professionally with the likes of Judith Peters, Becky Ceperley, Lynne Mayer and Paula Tompkins—strong examples of successful women in nonprofit management, political mobilization, philanthropy, education and business,” she says. “When you are exposed to those sorts of efforts and continue along a path that provides opportunities to learn and grow through the examples of high-quality, professional women, some of those lessons stick.”
What keeps McPhail motivated in her job day after day is her children and the desire to make sure they have the option to raise their families in West Virginia if they choose to do so. This is also what motivates her to play an active role in her community. McPhail serves on a variety of committees, including the Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Council, the Early Childhood Advisory Council of West Virginia and the West Virginia State University Fall Festival on the Quad planning committee. She has also served on the WVU Tech foundation board, the Charleston Job Corps community relations council and the BridgeValley Community & Technical College foundation board.
She is especially proud to be part of the Early Childhood Advisory Council of West Virginia, which was created by executive order in 2010. “This is important to me because it aligns with my belief that the best way to secure the future development of our state is by starting that process early with our children,” she says. “I also can’t overstate the importance of supporting higher education. Developing pathways from early education to post-secondary training or higher education is a necessity for West Virginia children.”
McPhail also chooses hands-on projects in which she can include her children. “I love the idea of engaging my children in community service and doing things as a family,” she says. “We make it an annual tradition to work the Big Brothers Big Sisters Christmas Tree Sale and ring bells for the Salvation Army. Taking my 14-year-old to work flood relief this summer is an experience neither of us will likely forget.”
Growing up in the Kanawha Valley and spending summers exploring the New River area has solidified McPhail’s decision to stay in West Virginia and do her part to boost opportunity here. “I represent an industry in the state that is growing every day,” she says. “Because of that, I can send the message to my children that our state is a great place to build a career in manufacturing, energy and so many other economic sectors.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Yellow
Food – Grilled mahi
Cartoon Character – Charlie Brown
Ice Cream – Mint chocolate chip
Animal – Horse
Book – “Lots of Cake, Plenty of Candles”
App – RunKeeper
Midnight Snack – I don’t eat after 9 ;), but if I did it would be Peanuts
Super Hero – Aquaman
Video Game – Pac-Man
Comic Book – “The Walking Dead”
TV Show – “Modern Family”
Movie – “White Christmas”
Smell – Campfire
Sport Team – Cleveland Browns
Car – Jeep Wrangler
Place – Islamorada, FL
Small Local Restaurant – Rocco’s Ristorante
Season – Fall
Era – Today
West Virginia Location – Harpers Ferry
West Virginia Activity – Listen to live music at the Purple Fiddle
