Class of 2024-2025
Meet the current Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows.
The current class of 40 fellows represent a spectrum of sectors and experiences from across Appalachia’s 13 states. Each fellow brings a unique perspective on the region’s diverse economic developmental challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Together, they will lead Appalachia’s future.
Pennsylvania
Kendy Alvarez
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Kendy Alvarez serves as the Mayor of Lewisburg Borough. She champions entrepreneurship as part of the organizing team for 1 Million Cups Susquehanna and collaborating with Brighter Financial Futures to promote entrepreneurship and financial literacy. As a policy fellow with the Open Discourse Coalition and Board Member of the PA Municipal League she is committed to increasing the civility in politics. Additionally, she volunteers with the Bureau of Prisons at Lewisburg Community Relations Board, CommUnity Zone, Union-Snyder Hunger Coalition, Penn State Extension Ag Council, Evangelical Community Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council, and the PA Outdoor Recreation Engagement Coalition.
Virginia
Amanda Archer
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Mandy Archer is a Program Administrator for the Enterprise Zone Program at the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development. Prior to joining DHCD in 2023, she was the Director of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Small Business Development Center from 2008 to 2023, where she helped entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Mandy holds a BS in Marketing Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech. She is a proud mom of two daughters and eagerly anticipates the fall, her favorite time of year, during which she enjoys spending most weekends attending her youngest daughter’s high school band performances at football games and band competitions.
North Carolina
April Austin
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April Austin is the Executive Director of the Caldwell Senior Center in Caldwell County, North Carolina. She has a 25-year career in Aging Services, previously working in Adult Services with Caldwell County Department of Social Services. April is enthusiastic about advocating for older adults and the organizations that serve them. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She currently serves on the North Carolina Falls Prevention Steering Committee, is a Rotarian and volunteers doing pet therapy. She resides in Hudson, NC and loves traveling the United States in a camper van with their four dogs.
New York
Eric Ball
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Eric Ball currently serves as Deputy Mayor of the Village of Walton where he was born and raised and has served in his local government since 2019. Eric also served as a candidate for New York State Senate in 2022. Eric is proud to serve his community where his family’s roots date back to the late 1700’s in Walton. Prior to serving in local government, Eric has managed small businesses in Delaware County including an agricultural business. A graduate of SUNY Oneonta, he currently is the Office and Project Manager for R Braun Surveyors, where they conduct land surveys in Delaware, Sullivan, Broome, Chenango, Otsego and Schoharie Counties.
Pennsylvania
Kurt Bauman
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Kurt Bauman serves as Vice President, Community & Economic Development Services for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and as the Executive Director of the Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center. Prior to joining NEPA, Bauman served as a project manager for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley, a state and national heritage area, and the National Institute for Environmental Renewal. Kurt serves as a co-director of the University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. Mr. Bauman earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Scranton.
Maryland
Delanie Blubaugh
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Raised in the mountains of Western Maryland, Delanie Blubaugh is the Program Manager for TGCC, a nonprofit enhancing regional economic development across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. She leads TGCC’s communications, marketing, and the Communities of Excellence program, driven by a passion for civic engagement and building resilient communities. A 2022 Frostburg State University graduate with a BS in Political Science and pre-Law, Delanie works with industry leaders, nonprofits, and government officials to elevate regional quality of life. Outside work, she’s a thrift store treasure-hunter, avid DIYer, and kitchen wizard—ask her about her blueberry-lemon bundt cake or homemade latte recipe!
Mississippi
Cole Bryan
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Cole Bryan is the executive director of Dream Center Golden Triangle, a nonprofit focused on community outreach with the motto “find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it.” He also serves as a selectman on the city board of West Point, MS. Before diving into public service, Bryan spent nearly a decade working in fintech and SaaS in New York City and Memphis. He is married to Neely Bryan, who runs their local animal shelter and seems determined to turn their home into a dog sanctuary—one stray at a time.
South Carolina
Cortney Burgess
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Cortney Burgess is a visionary leader and CEO/Principal Mediator of Resolute Meditation Firm. He serves as the youngest Director of Upstate Fatherhood Coalition, addressing father absenteeism, and as Vice Chairman of the Board for Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources (S.H.A.R.E.), supporting low-income families. He advocates for public community colleges as a Board of Visitor for Tri-County Technical College and chairs the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Lives Coalition, aiding formerly incarcerated individuals. As the Founder of The I’mPerfect Project, Cortney mentors youth in areas like anti-bullying, leadership, etiquette, and diversity, driven by a passion for empowering others through personal and professional growth.
Kentucky
Casey Cash
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Casey Cash is the Infrastructure Development Coordinator at the Bluegrass Area Development District. Since joining BGADD in 2023, he has collaborated with local officials across 17 counties and 33 cities to identify infrastructure needs and define project scopes, ensuring communities receive essential resources. Concurrently, Casey manages military human resource programs in the U.S. Air Force as a reservist. Casey holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Murray State University. Proficient in Japanese, Casey has extensive experience living and traveling for the military and personally.
Alabama
Ryan Cate Gibson
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Dr. Ryan Cate Gibson, Ph.D., is the CEO of Holistic Performance Group and has over 30 years of experience pioneering cross-cultural curricula for educational and governmental organizations. She’s passionate about leadership and workforce development, collaborating with global and local partners to create holistic growth opportunities. A member of multiple chambers, Dr. Gibson has Appalachian family roots and actively contributes to her community by serving on various boards. Known for her dynamic presence, she’s a sought-after keynote speaker, captivating audiences with her empowering messages.
Georgia
Adrienne Cloud
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Adrienne Cloud has a passion for Critical & Emerging Technologies and Workforce Development. She is the CEO of SMARTech Construction focused on solving the affordable housing crisis and sustainable design. She teaches Engineering & Technology at the Advanced Studies Center and has served in several Research & Development roles across multiple industries. She worked with the FAA and Fortune 500 companies to develop The Standardization Roadmap For Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Version 2.0 as well as to create standards for the integration of more sensors for data generation with SMART Cities and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Ohio
Eli Cole
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Eli R. Cole is an economic development specialist dedicated to enhancing regional growth throughout Appalachian Ohio. Currently with the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, he manages projects that bolster local economies, particularly in rural communities. Eli’s work includes assisting communities in securing grants from key federal and state agencies to support projects addressing economic challenges unique to the region. A graduate of Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, Eli has a deep commitment to fostering sustainable development in Appalachia, focusing on building partnerships that empower communities and enhance long-term prosperity for the region. Eli resides in West Portsmouth, Ohio.
Maryland
Annaston Cree
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Annaston Cree is a dedicated public servant and community advocate based in Washington County, MD. She currently serves as the Western Maryland Field Representative for U.S. Congressman David Trone MD-06. Annaston’s career has focused on legislative, municipal, and non-profit work. A Mount Saint Mary’s University graduate with degrees in Political Science and Cybersecurity, Annaston is also an active volunteer and coach, committed to fostering local leadership and community engagement.
Virginia
Dana Cronkite
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Dana Cronkhite is the Director of Economic Development for Dickenson County and the Executive Director of the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority. A native of the area, she returned with her family after her husband’s retirement from the Marine Corps. Dana holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of New England and has extensive experience in operations, business development, and marketing in the private sector. Passionate about regional growth, she believes economic development is key to community well-being in the 21st century. Dana is dedicated to advocating for and empowering the citizens of Dickenson County and Southwest Virginia.
Georgia
Andrew Davenport
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Andrew is the founder of A New Veteran, a 501 (C)3 that educates veterans to better understand benefits they earned through military service. Andrew served his country with honor in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He volunteers behind the scenes and serves on various boards. Andrew’s calm demeanor and unwavering support make him a trusted confidante of veterans navigating civilian life and others facing tough choices. He believes his service didn’t end when he took off his uniform; it simply took a new form, one focused on building a stronger future for his family and his community.
West Virginia
Mavery Davis
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Mavery, a devoted husband and father, hails from Los Angeles and moved to West Virginia on a football scholarship in 2005, eventually completing his degree and becoming a CPA. As the Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV/Seed Commons, he fosters community wealth and financial literacy through his Financial Literacy Bootcamp (FLBC). Mavery, who has earned the Herbert Henderson Trailblazer Award and recognition as a Top 40 under 40 Black CPA, has taught Accounting at WVSU and serves on the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives Board. His passion lies in empowering others and connecting them with vital resources for success.
Alabama
Paul DeMarco
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Paul DeMarco is a partner in the law firm of Parsons, Lee & Juliano, P.C. He graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He received a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1993. In 2005, Mr. DeMarco was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. He served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the Oversight Committee for the Alabama Homeland Security Agency. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Alabama Trails Foundation and sits on the Board of the Jefferson County Greenway Commission and the Vulcan Park and Museum Board.
Pennsylvania
Stephanie Desaulniers
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Stephanie Desaulniers is a business consultant at Business by Dezign, and the Deputy Director at the Covation Center. Prior to founding Business by Dezign in 2020, she owned a small manufacturing business in the textile industry, and before that was an environmental consultant for a global engineering firm. Stephanie holds a B.S in Geology and Master’s in Environmental Pollution Control. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and gardening, has two kids ages 10 and 8, and a Labrador named Kira who supervises everyone.
West Virginia
Heather Foster
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Heather Foster is Chief Impact Officer (or Regional Administrator) for the AmeriCorps Mid-Atlantic Region. Prior to joining AmeriCorps, she served as Executive Director of Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s commission for national and community service. She is active with the West Virginia Non-profit Association and provides coaching and support for nonprofit leaders in the Kanawha Valley. Her background includes disaster volunteer management, nonprofit leadership and national service. Foster earned a degree in Psychology from West Virginia State University and is a certified federal grant manager. On the weekends she watches F1 races with her son, Micah and new puppy, Jasmine.
Ohio
Tara Gilts
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Tara Gilts is a Philanthropy Advisor at the OhioHealth Foundation. She has worked in the healthcare sector in Southeast Ohio for ten years, with a focus on advancing partnerships and programs that address health equity and promote healthcare access. An Ohio University alumna, she holds both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the institution. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) through CFRE International. Tara is also an Adjunct Instructor at Ohio University in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, and is a volunteer contributor to the Athens County Independent with the column Table for Tara.
Ohio
Chandler Grooms
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Chandler Grooms is the Tourism Development Director for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism in Pike County, Ohio. Chandler continues to explore ways to strengthen local tourism and collaborates regularly with partners to improve the quality of life for Pike County and Appalachian Ohio. He serves on multiple local and regional boards, including the Downtown Waverly Stakeholder Group, Pike County Community Action, and Appalachian Ohio, a regional association of tourism industry professionals across Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties. He is a graduate of Shawnee State University, is engaged to his fiancé Whitney, and has two cats, Max and Luna.
Tennessee
Heath Guinn
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Heath Guinn is an entrepreneur, investor and social impact leader based in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 2020, Guinn started Sync Space, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, focused on unleashing the power of entrepreneurship in Appalachia. In 2022, Guinn led an entrepreneurial ecosystem strategic vision for northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, which resulted in 22 counties across three states and over 50 supporting businesses participating, and has generated nearly $3,000,000 in new resources to support the rural Appalachian entrepreneurial development. He also travels internationally often to scuba dive, snowboard, and mainly to eat the strangest cuisines available.
Kentucky
Colby Hall
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Colby Hall is the current Executive Director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), coming onboard in November of 2020. Colby was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky. Colby graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky in 2015 with a degree in biology. After spending a year teaching English in Spain, he pursued a sales career in Atlanta, GA before moving back to Eastern Kentucky to run SOAR. Colby is married to Lindsey Hall, a nurse practitioner in the neurosurgery department at UK HealthCare’s Chandler Hospital. They have one son, Hayden Hall, who was born in November 2022.
South Carolina
Leigh Huckins
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Leigh Huckins is the Populaon Health Manager for the Addicon Medicine Center at Prisma Health in Greenville, SC. Before joining Prisma, she played a pivotal role in establishing a chapter of FAVOR Upstate in Anderson, SC, where she later served as Community Engagement Manager and Program Coordinator. Leigh holds a Bachelor of Science in Travel and Tourism and minor in Psychology from Clemson University and is a Cerfied Peer Support Specialist for the state of South Carolina.
North Carolina
George Ivey
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George Ivey serves as the North Carolina development director for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. His responsibilities include fundraising, community relations, and coordinating the Blue Ridge Rising program to unite and serve the 29 counties that host the Blue Ridge Parkway. George’s previous work includes Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Nature Conservancy, the NC Arboretum, and eight years as a nonprofit consultant. George earned his BA from Duke University and a master’s in parks, recreation, and tourism through NC State. An avid cyclist and birder, George lives in Flat Rock, NC, with his wife and two children.
Virginia
Thomas Lawson
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Thomas Lawson serves as Regional Planner with the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission serving Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties and the City of Norton in Southwest Virginia. Thomas focuses on regional economic and community development, public utility and infrastructure projects, and grant writing and management. Thomas graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a B.A. in Public and Urban Affairs and a M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning. Thomas is a lifelong native of Appalachia and enjoys golfing, attending concerts and sporting events, and traveling in his free time.
Mississippi
Hannah Maharrey
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Hannah Maharrey is the Executive Director of Good Samaritan Health Services, a nonprofit healthcare provider serving North Mississippi. Previously, she was the Director of the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care, a HUD-funded homelessness response network. Hannah is also the chairperson of the City of Tupelo Homeless Task Force and a board member of the Hunger Coalition of North Mississippi, the Lee County Emergency Food and Shelter Board, and the Tupelo Housing Authority. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans and served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Mongolia. Her passion lies in advocacy and outreach for vulnerable populations.
Kentucky
Caitlin Mason
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Caitlin Mason is the Assistant Director of Economic Development/Public Administration Specialist at the Cumberland Valley Area Development District (CVADD). Caitlin has been with CVADD for over five years and specializes in different economic development and grant programs such as Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and more. One aspect that Caitlin loves most about her position at CVADD is working with local city and county governments and seeing their projects thrive within their communities.
Kentucky
Jessica Miles
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Jessica Miles (she/her) is the Membership & Grants Administrator at Appalachia Funders Network. Before joining AFN in 2024, Jessica was the Director of the Appalachian Media Institute at Appalshop. She believes it’s important for young people in Appalachia to build regional power and advocate for the change they wish to see in their communities. Outside of her work with AFN, Jessica is an organizer with EKY Mutual Aid. Jessica attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a BA in Media Arts in 2015. She is based in Frenchburg, KY, where she lives with her husband and two quirky cats.
Tennessee
Tammy O’Dell
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Tammy O’Dell, born and raised in rural Oakdale, Tennessee, serves as the Director of Grants at Motlow State Community College. Throughout her career in government and nonprofit roles, Tammy has secured over $15 million in funding for various projects ranging from affordable housing initiatives, workforce development, and infrastructure expansion. Tammy holds an M.S. from Austin Peay State University and a B.S. from Tennessee Technological University. She is a dedicated advocate for rural communities, especially in the areas of education and cultural assets. Recently she and her husband returned “home” to her family’s farm in Oakdale. She fancies herself an heirloom tomato farmer in the making, but she really excels at bird watching and bourbon sipping.
New York
Fileve Palmer
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In 2018, after moving to Cattaraugus County within NY’s southern tier west region from Bloomington, Indian and serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in Allegany County, NY Dr. Fileve Palmer was exposed to the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of the area. Working in the Southern Tier West Regional Development Board office solidified her commitment to use her toolbox of research skills and rapport building abilities to benefit STW and the constituents. Dr. Palmer’s identity as a dual citizen of South Africa and the United States, her skills as an anthropologist, educator, and exhibiting artist further her enthusiasm to share.
Tennessee
Lottie Ryans
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Lottie Ryans serves as Director of Workforce and Literacy Initiatives for the First Tennessee Development District where she develops creative partnerships with k-12, post-secondary, economic developers and business and industry. She leads the Caring Workplaces Initiative and STRONG Families NETN. She serves on the board for BCBST, the Doug Henry State Museum Commission, NESCC Foundation, Milligan University Board of Trustees, and the Regional DEI Alliance to name a few. She is a graduate of the 2018/19 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute cohort and 2019/20 Leadership Tennessee cohort. She and Eric have been married 42 years and are proud parents and grandparents.
West Virginia
Katie Sams
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Katie Sams is a dedicated professional from the Mid-Ohio Valley with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. She holds a degree in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University as well as an MBA. Katie’s background in project management, leadership, informatics, and continuous improvement equips her to tackle complex challenges and drive strategic decision-making. As Director of Business Development, Katie is committed to fostering excellence, optimizing processes, and helping her rural community. Passionate about transformative growth and community impact, Katie is always excited to contribute her expertise to advance the quality of healthcare in Appalachia.
North Carolina
Silas Shields
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Silas Shields is a native of Western North Carolina. He is the Grants Specialist for Cherokee County Local Government, where he works to secure funding for regional projects, ranging from medication assisted treatment to combat the opioid misuse crisis, to broadband planning for digital inclusion. His experience in post-secondary education includes institutional advancement and the creation of programs of study. Silas is a graduate of Western Carolina University and is an active board member of a children’s advocacy center, historical museum, and volunteer fire department. He enjoys carpentry, hiking, and serving as a deacon and pianist at his church.
Maryland
Kevin Simmers
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Kevin Simmers is the Founder and Executive Director of Brooke’s House, which is located on four acres of secluded property in Hagerstown, MD. Brooke’s House is a non-profit drug and alcohol treatment facility. Brookes House provides drug and alcohol counseling on an outpatient level and provides long-term outpatient residential treatment. Brooke’s House opened in July 2019. The facility was built in memory of Kevin and Dana Simmers only daughter, Brooke Simmers, who died from a heroin overdose in April 2015 at the age of 19. Prior to the founding of Brooke’s House, Kevin was a police officer for the Hagerstown Department of Police located in Hagerstown, MD. Most of his career he was assigned to the Narcotic Division and was deputized as an agent through the Drug Enforcement Administration. Kevin participated in hundreds of undercover operations and arrested over 500 defendants for narcotics violations ranging from possession, dealing, and trafficking. Kevin retired as a Sergeant in 2013 after 25 years of service. Kevin attended Frostburg State University and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Kevin is married to his wife Dana Simmers and they currently reside in Clear Spring, MD. Kevin and Dana have two adult sons.
New York
Ana Stahlman
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Ana Stahlman is an Adult Employment Counselor for the Seneca Nation. She works within the Public Law 102-477, the American Indian Training, Employment and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. Stahlman is a Senior at Empire State University, studying Community and Human Services. In addition, in Stahlman’s spare time she has created a Theater Club and Powwow Dance class at the Allegany Community Center (ACC). Ana is enthusiastic for the many opportunities to collaborate with the diverse people and communities within the Appalachian area.
Pennsylvania
Cynthia Traore
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Cynthia Traore has worked for 24 years at Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, a community, economic, and workforce regional agency in Pennsylvania. As the Business Development Administrator, she oversees the business retention and expansion programs and the International Trade program. She has earned the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional certification, demonstrating her expertise in supporting businesses with their export needs. Her Bachelor of Science in Management with Honors is from University of Phoenix. She is dedicated to creating positive change and enhancing the lives and community around her. Her family, worldwide travels, and volunteer work inspire her.
West Virginia
Elizabeth Vitullo
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Dr. Liz Vitullo serves as the Assistant Vice President of Economic Innovation at West Virginia University. She brings experience in economic development, grant writing, higher education and community outreach. She cofounded the WV Grant Resource Center. Vitullo graduated from WVU (PhD/MBA) and the University of Toronto (undergraduate/MSc). She has taught classes in entrepreneurship, marketing and management. She has been recognized as a WV Wonder Woman, a WV Executive Sharpshooter and is a graduate of Leadership WV. Vitullo serves on multiple boards including Pantry Plus More and Libera. She lives in Morgantown, WV with her husband, two daughters and son.
Mississippi
Paige Watson
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Watson is an alumna of Mississippi State University and The University of Alabama. After holding past internships with the Country Music Association and Kleinfield Bridal, Watson began her career as Communications Specialist for the MSU College of Education. Watson became Special Events and Projects Coordinator for the Partnership in 2017 and was promoted to Director of Main Street in 2021. Watson is a former president of the Junior Auxiliary of Starkville. Her hobbies include spending time with family & friends, traveling, and pickleball. She also spoils her rescue dog, Marley, and couldn’t be prouder of her nephews, Carter & Beau.
Alabama
Eric Wright
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Eric Wright is the Director of Planning and Development at the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission in Anniston, AL. Previously, he was County Extension Coordinator at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University and Public Affairs Director for the City of Gadsden. Wright holds a B.S. in Visual Communication from Ohio University and an M.P.A. from Jacksonville State University. In 2023, he received the Mainstreet Alabama Hometown Hero Award. Wright currently serves as chair of the Windy Van Hooten Teaching Garden board and as vice chair for Downtown Gadsden Inc.
Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni
Since 2019, nearly 200 Appalachians have gradated from ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute. After traveling the region, learning important capacity building skills, and getting to know fellow Appalachians, these leaders will continue to take lessons learned back to their communities to strengthen Appalachia.
Contact Us
Contact us by phone at 202.884.7700 or via email at leadership@arc.gov.