Bryan Phipps is the Senior Vice President (who will assume the office of CEO in January 2022) of People, Inc., a community action agency based in Abingdon, Virginia. In February 2019, People Inc. received an ARC POWER grant for “New Market Tax Credit Project Growth in Appalachia.” That funding allowed them to help Russell County Industrial Development Authority create a financing package for the relocation of Polycap LLC’s entire operation from Canada to Lebanon, Virginia.

Danny Swan is the co-founder of Grow Ohio Valley, which aims to build an equitable food system where farmers flourish and healthy, local food is a way of life. In February 2019, Grow OV received an ARC POWER grant to launch the Public Market, a year-round, non-profit grocery store selling natural foods from local producers.

Michele Clapper is the Vice President of Economic Development at Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI). JARI uses ARC support for Startup Alleghenies, a free program in central Pennsylvania that helps aspiring entrepreneurs locate the information, tools, and connections to move their idea from vision to market when and where they need help most.

China Riddle is ARC’s Digital Strategist, where she leads social media strategy, content production, web projects and other initiatives to grow ARC’s digital presence. She’s worked in Washington D.C. for nearly seven years, but spent most of her life in Appalachia. As a native of Pike County, KY, a (former) coal miner’s daughter, the granddaughter of Southern West Virginians and graduate of Alice Lloyd College, China is deeply invested in helping coal communities move toward a stronger future.

Nick Gilson is Founder and CEO of Gilson Snow, a manufacturer of snowboards and skis located in Winfield, PA. He graduated in 2011 from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Earth & Planetary Sciences. He taught middle school science in Nashville, TN with Teach For America before launching the company out of the classroom with Austin Royer. He has received numerous awards in innovative product development and leadership and holds several snowboard and ski patents.

Jim Hart is an experienced “American Heartland” entrepreneur and angel investor. He serves as Executive Director in the Appalachian Investors Alliance (AIA), and is President/CEO of HBS Group, Inc., a management consultancy helping clients maximize operational efficiencies, improve fiscal discipline, and design and implement winning sales strategies. Jim previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of World Marketing Company.

Faith Knutsen is the Director of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service, where she is employed since 2008. She directs Ohio University’s team in the multi-party, 4-year-old ARC-sponsored Social Enterprise Ecosystem program, which brings venture development services, capital access and social impact measurement tools to social enterprises and impact funders in 15 counties of rural SE Ohio and Western West Virginia.

Kenneth Oehlers (pronounced A-lers) is in his 11th year as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. Ken has a 16 year background in growing nonprofit organizations through partnerships within communities. Before coming to Habitat for Humanity, Ken worked in marketing/sales and helped clients gain market share through creative advertising and collaboration. Ken is just as excited about working with Habitat for Humanity as the day he started!