CHAMBER NEWS

We are excited to announce our Leadership Huntington Class of 2024-2025! Launched in 2023, Leadership Huntington is designed to connect, develop, empower, and mobilize current and emerging leaders who are committed to making a difference in Cabell and Wayne counties.  

The program aims to bring together leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds to foster collaboration, promote community involvement, and develop a network of informed and engaged leaders. The curriculum is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the region's economic, social, and political landscape, while equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle complex business challenges. 

The following 23 individuals have been named to the second Leadership Huntington class:   

• Chris Aluise - Huntington Bank
• Jay Berrien - Marshall University Athletics
• Pagett Dusic - Marshall Health Network 
• Ariana Shives - Mastermind Media Works
• Amy Jones-Burdick - Marshall University HELP Program
• Amber Yost - Edward Tucker Architects
• CW Dolin - Peoples Bank
• Katy Maynard - Marshall Health Project Hope
• Megan Copley - OVP Health
• James Plymale - Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Central
• Mary Beth Ferda - Marshall University Honors College
• Matt Ward - Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
• Aaron Arnold - Heritage Farm Museum & Village
• Walker Tatum - Marshall University Foundation
• Haley Linville - American Foundation for the Blind
• Steven Turner - Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC
• Mesha Shamblin - Mountwest Community & Technical College
• Sabrina Donahue-Moore - VDM Management Group
• Steve Curry - City of Huntington
• Isaac Sinclair - United Bank
• Nikki Hagerman - Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-State
• Rebecca Thomas - True Soul Boutique 
• Tracy Arthur-Stricklin - Sandy's Racing and Gaming

The second class of Leadership Huntington will attend monthly sessions running from September 2024 to May 2025, with a graduation ceremony in June 2025. Each session will be organized around a theme and will be explored through speakers, discussions, field trips, and exclusive experiential activities. Sessions will include health care, local government, workforce development, manufacturing, tourism, and more.

This week, we are joined by Leslie Norris, director of Mountain Mindful. Mountain Mindful is a social enterprise headquartered in Huntington at Coalfield Development Corporation's West Edge Factory that creates custom apparel, furniture from reclaimed wood, and even self-care products. They are dedicated to hiring people who face barriers to employment, such as those recovering from Substance Use Disorder or former workers from the coal economy.

In this episode, Leslie shares more about their mission and history, the process of producing environmentally sustainable products, and the significant impact of hiring and training workers who face substantial barriers to employment. Tune in to learn about the inspiring work of Mountain Mindful.

Pictured above is last year's Leadership Huntington class with their screen printed shirts they made at Mountain Mindful!

Thank you to our partner Kindred Communications (Reeves Kirtner) and presenting sponsor Moses AutoMall of Huntington!

Take a listen on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify!

“You’ll never know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.”

Huntington Young Professionals had an inspiring evening at Heritage Farm during their July meeting! Thank you to Audy Perry, Executive Director, for hosting and sharing his passion for Appalachia and problem solving! We enjoyed delicious food from Twelvepole Trading Post!

Heritage farm Museum and Village celebrates Appalachian ingenuity and adventure. Heritage Farm has been recognized by various organizations over the years, such as receiving the designation as a National Geographic Traveler Prime Destination, as well as the Medal for Historic Preservation by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2015, the Smithsonian Institution recognized Heritage Farm as an official affiliate, the first and only in West Virginia. Additionally, The History Channel has filmed two projects at Heritage Farm: portions of America’s Greatest Feud: The History of the Hatfields & McCoys, and an episode of American Pickers, “Pickin’ Perry-dise.”

If you weren’t able to make it to the July meeting, take a listen below to Audy’s Marshall TedTalk.

Referrals are an important part of your business, and they are just as important to us! Our new membership referral program is an initiative designed to incentivize existing members to actively promote the benefits of Chamber affiliation to potential new members. Once your referral joins the Chamber, you will be entered into a quarterly drawing for a $250 gift card to a Chamber member of your choice!

This initiative helps us expand our mission of Connecting the Community (networking and collaboration), Cultivating Growth (business development and growth), and Catalyzing Development (innovation, education, and professional development).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wrap up summer at August's Business After Hours hosted by Guyan Golf & Country Club! Join us on Thursday, August 15, from 5-7 p.m., at Meg's Place, Guyan's new cabana bar by the pool. Enjoy great food, refreshing drinks, and making connections!

This year’s State of the Valley, Presented by Meek's Rentals & Leasing, will highlight tourism in the Kanawha Valley, with insights into Cabell, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. Confirmed panelists are Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism; Tim Brady, President & CEO of the Charleston CVB; Tyson Compton, President of the Huntington Area CVB; and Kelli Steele, Executive Director of the Putnam County CVB. These industry leaders will provide a deep dive into the latest developments, innovative initiatives, and future plans that are set to boost tourism and attract visitors to our beautiful region. The event moderator will be Chef Paul Smith, West Virginia’s first winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southeast.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with top tourism professionals and decision makers, discover exciting new projects and strategies for regional growth, network with business and community leaders, and be part of the conversation driving our state’s tourism forward.

Tickets are $50 if purchased using the early-bird discount before August 1 and are available at www.putnamchamber.org/StateoftheValley.

Current sponsors include Meeks Rentals & Leasing and Advantage Valley, Inc., CAMC/Vandalia Health, Dinsmore, FWG Investments, Putnam County Bank, and West Virginia American Water. 

For more information about the State of the Valley event, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, please visit one of the Chamber websites or contact the Charleston Regional Chamber at (304) 340-4253, Huntington Regional Chamber at (304) 525-5131, or the Putnam County Chamber at (304) 757-6510.

We invite you to our 2024 Business After Hours Expo, formerly known as the Member Trade Show, on Thursday, September 26 from 5 - 8 p.m., at the Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center.

Connect with the community and member businesses during this expo-style event! Open to the public, the evening will feature prizes, food, open bar, and giveaways. Chamber members, this is a great opportunity to make new business connections and meet potential clients!

Table registrations and sponsorship opportunities are now open to all members!

MEMBER NEWS

Huntington Children’s Museum is officially open! We thank Tosha Pelfrey, the museum's board, staff, volunteers, and donors, for seeing this need for the kids in our community and making it happen!

During that week's ribbon cutting, Mayor Steve Williams and City Councilman Todd Sweeney, who represents the district in which the Children's Museum is located, presented the Museum with a check for $20,000.

The Huntington Children’s Museum, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to fostering curiosity and learning through interactive exhibits designed to engage young minds. Featured exhibits include a water table, interactive sand table, indoor climbing area, and stop-motion video creation station. These hands-on experiences encourage children to explore and learn through play.

Mayor Steve Williams and District 4 Councilwoman Sarah Walling presented the Huntington Museum of Art with a $75,000 check on behalf of the City of Huntington and the Huntington Mayor’s Council for the Arts on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

This generous donation, supported by Mayor Williams and approved by Huntington City Council, will fund the Free Tuesday program at HMA for the next year and provide additional support for general operating expenses.

“This gift makes it possible for all people, both residents and visitors to the area, to be able to experience the Museum at no cost,” said HMA Director of Development Jennifer Wheeler, who accepted the award on behalf of HMA. “The mission of the Museum is to enrich the lives of all the people. We are proud that the cultural opportunities provided here are accessible to all, thanks to the Mayor, City Council, and the Mayor’s Council for the Arts.”

This gift will also help HMA highlight its 4th Tuesday Tour Series, in which a guest speaker, guided tour, or other event takes place on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Recently, the HMA Community Block Party took place on July 23, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. as a 4^th Tuesday Tour Event. HMA offers free general admission on Tuesdays when hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free Tuesdays at HMA are generously presented by the City of Huntington Mayor’s Council for the Arts.

Toyota West Virginia is celebrating the start of production for the fifth-generation hybrid transaxle, a core part of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to electrification. Assembly of the new transaxles is a result of more than $300 million in investments at the plant announced in 2021 and 2022.

The fifth-generation hybrid transaxle is part of the all-new Toyota Camry and Corolla Cross. Hybrid electric vehicles are a key component of the company’s portfolio approach to vehicle electrification. Toyota believes that a diverse array of products will provide all customers a role in reducing carbon emissions. Since 2021, Toyota has announced new investments totaling more than $18.6 billion into its U.S. manufacturing operations to support electrification efforts.

Mountwest Community & Technical College and Mason County Career Center are partnering to offer an Emergency Medical Technician class. To learn more and/ or to register, visit https://mctc.geniussis.com/Registration.aspx. Seats are limited, so secure your spot today. Class begins August 28th.

Valley Health Systems Inc. welcomes new provider Dr. Jami Green.   Dr. Green sees patients of all ages for acute and chronic conditions at Valley Health – Milton.

Dr. Green is a graduate of Joan C Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, WV and comes to Valley Health with 15 years of experience as a family medicine physician.   She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and an approved examiner with the Federal Motor Safety Administration.  Dr. Green’s background includes a focus on helping patients with hypertension and medically assisted treatment programs for opioid use disorder.  

What’s so special about #StandingOutInOurField? Our medical students are invested in making this scholarship fundraiser a success! Dozens of student volunteers help with event setup, clean up, serve as our wait staff throughout the entire event AND have a great time doing it!

Don't miss out on the chance to support a great cause and make lasting memories. Mark your calendars and join Marshall Health Network on Aug. 24, 2024, for a night to remember!

Pack your picnic basket, pour your drinks, set out your chair & enjoy the magic of Stephen Sondheim as the sun sets at beautiful Ritter Park!

Your HSO brings Sondheim’s most beautiful music to life with excerpts from Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along & many more! Saturday, August 17, 7:30 p.m., at Ritter Park Amphitheater, Huntington, WV.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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