Executive Director, Berkeley County Development Authority
By Amanda Larch & Samantha Cart
Sandy Hamilton, executive director of the Berkeley County Development Authority (BCDA), would not be where she is today without her faith, which has always been her guide when choosing new career paths and service opportunities.
“My career path was not intentional, but I feel it was divinely appointed,” she says.
In her current position at the BCDA, Hamilton is able to take steps every day to improve the quality of life in her home county and state as well as bring in new businesses while assisting existing businesses with growth and retention.
Each position she has held—from her beginnings as a tree pruner to her first professional job as a clerk for the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources—has contributed to her success.
“Every position I have held in my professional career was essential to have the knowledge to fully perform in my current position. Those early jobs taught me the value of developing a good work ethic and building life-long relationships,” says Hamilton. “I have first-hand knowledge and contacts for most areas that are applicable to business. From my background as a real estate agent and business consultant to my time as a WorkForce West Virginia manager and public utility employee—all have been relevant and often vital in my day-to-day work.”
Hamilton credits her work ethic, compassion for others and ability to embrace change as the greatest influences on her success. While many of her early positions were accepted out of economic necessity, she is grateful to her partner, John Slonaker, for encouraging her to put all her acquired professional strengths and skills to use in a job she loves.
“With John’s encouragement, I really started to determine my passion and purpose,” she recalls. “I know I am where I am now because this is where God wants me to be.”
Hamilton had many mentors on her road to success, which inspired her to become a mentor herself. In this role she has honed her listening skills and learned more about herself and diversity.
“I have had several opportunities to mentor a variety of people, from high schoolers to adults,” she says. “What I have learned about myself through mentoring has been helpful in making personal improvements. It is very insightful.”
While her career is community-oriented, Hamilton also gives of her time, talent and treasure outside of work. She volunteers with and donates to the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board and the Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship committee, and she serves as a board member for Horizon Goodwill Industries and a team leader for Generosity Feeds, which works toward eliminating food insecurity for children in the community. Hamilton is also a member of the Rotary Club of Martinsburg.
“When choosing organizations to support, I pray for guidance first and then I research the organization’s mission and needs,” she says. “The rotary motto of service above self speaks to my heart and is the way I choose to live my life.”
She is also passionate about supporting CURE International, which provides medical care to children in developing countries, and Hospice of the Panhandle.
“I give to hospice because they perform an incredible service to my community,” she says. “They provided unbelievable care to my parents prior to my mom’s passing in 2012. My father, sisters and I probably benefited the most from their programs and support during the last months of her life.”
Hamilton feels like giving back is a responsibility, not an option, and as long as she is breathing, she will be motivated to make Berkeley County and West Virginia a better place to live and work.
“I know there is something or someone I need to affect each day to have a purpose,” she says. “I care about my community, and that motivates me to continue to do whatever I can to make our daily lives better.”
Hamilton chooses to live and work in West Virginia because it is her home.
“It is a place where people work hard, care for one another and strive to be better each day,” she says. “We are near major markets, but we are tight-knit communities that look out for one another.”
1980 Started working for the WV State Tax Department
1981 Started working as a clerk at the WVDHHR
1982 Started working for the WV Department of Employment Security
1989 Started working for Potomac Edison/Allegheny Power
2004 Started working as a credit analyst at Citigroup
2006 Started working as a sales manager for D.R. Horton
2006 Named D.R. Horton’s top sales manager in the region
2013 Started working for the BCDA
2014 Named Main Street Martinsburg Volunteer of the Year
2015 Graduated from Leadership Berkeley
2016 Received Rotarian Award for Community Service
2016 Named BCDA executive director
2018 Received Martinsburg Rotary 4-Way Test Award
