The Positively West Virginia Podcast

This week we are releasing a special edition podcast featuring Jack Hammersmith, a member of The Rotary Club of Morgantown. Jack shares the history of Rotary and our country.

Anne Barth is the Executive Director for Tech Connect LLC of Tech Connect located in Fairmont, West Virginia – in Marion  County. TechConnect West Virginia, is a non-profit organization focused on driving innovation, cultivating entrepreneurship and creating greater economic diversity.  With a coalition representing higher education, private industry and the public sector, TechConnect leads innova...

    Benjy Simpson is the Managing Member for Bridge Walk LLC of Bridge Walk located in Lansing, West Virginia – in Fayette  County. Bridge Walk is a one-of-a-kind bridge walk where you cross the catwalk under the world-famous New River Gorge Bridge on a panoramic three-hour adventure. Bridge Walk was founded in 2009 as […]

  Emily Kurth is the Owner of Coco and June located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Emily Kurth is a wife and mother to 3 boys and the owner of Coco & June where she creates joyful abstract art and lifestyle goods. Emily was born and raised in Morgantown, and is proud […]

  Katy Orr-Dove is a third generation farmer and entrepreneur at George Orr & Sons, Inc. also doing business as Orr's Farm Market. This 550 acre farm is located in Martinsburg, WV and has been in operation since 1954.  Katy's grandfather, George S. Orr, Jr. was the founder of the business and started a legacy of […]

Adam Stephens and Rich Ireland are the Owners of Arrowhead Bike Farm located in Fayetteville, West Virginia – in Fayette County. Arrowhead Bike Farm is a A New River Gorge gathering point for adventurers of all kinds. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, you can rent a bike, camp and enjoy Outdoor dining on their deck or in their Biergarten with a variety of fresh local and national craft beer for after your p...

Julie Bryan is the Executive Director of SPARK! Imagination and Science Center located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. SPARK! Imagination and Science Center is a non-profit hands-on children's museum and science center that inspires people of all ages to explore science and the arts through hands-on exhibits and programs that spark a lifelong love of learning. Spark's museum h...

Anna Carrier is the Owner of The Cupcakerie located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. The Cupcakerie is the first and ONLY exclusively cupcake bakery in Morgantown. The Cupcakerie provides their customers with the best cupcakes made with the finest ingredients. As they say – it's not just a cupcake – it's a Cupcakerie cupcake!  Anna Carrier is one of the founders of The Cupcaker...

Stephanie Swaim is the Owner of Hoot and Howl located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Hoot and Howl is an artisan shop in downtown Morgantown.    The shop carries the works of more than 90 artisans – 75% of them hail from West Virginia, and all of the products are made in the USA, 1 Fair Trade and a little vintage. We host artists almost every month for pop-ups and workshops,...

Josh McGrath is a life-long resident of West Virginia and as of this month a 20 year realtor. Starting in Real Estate at just 18 years old Josh has worked tirelessly at growing a successful business. in 2005 Josh opened Real Estate Central which has grown to become the 2nd largest firm in the market.  With 100+ REALTORS in 5 locations and closing in excess of $126M a year in sales.  Since 2010 Jos...

Melissa Rose is the Owner of Nardelli Audiology with three locations in North-Central West Virginia. Nardelli Audiology is an established audiology practice that    provides quality audiology and hearing aid services to help their patients hear better and live better. Melissa Rose, a Mannington, West Virginia native and is the owner and is a Certified Audiologist. Melissa graduated from North Mari...

Marisa Jackson is the Owner of MarisaMade located in St. Albans, West Virginia – in Kanawha County. Marisa Jackson is a mother of 3 boys – one who has special needs, she's a wife, calligrapher, wedding and event stationery designer, watercolor artist, and owner of MarisaMade LLC. MarisaMade is a design studio specializing in calligraphy, graphic design watercolor prints, classes, gifts, and advoca...

Zac Northup is the Owner of StandWatch Academy located in Scott Depot, West Virginia – in Putnam County. StandWatch Academy's mission is to teach young people how to conceptualize, launch, and lead their own nonprofits, social enterprises, or small businesses. Zac Northup is the founder of StandWatch.org and StandWatch Academy. Zac is a veteran, entrepreneur, reformed financial advisor, and publis...

Doctor Mirta Martin is the President of Fairmont State University located in Fairmont West Virginia – in Marion County. Born in Havana, Cuba, and an immigrant to the United States, Doctor Martin uses her interpersonal and cultural expertise to work diligently to promote access to affordable educational opportunities. The Board of Governors appointed Mirta M. Martin, Ph. D. the twenty-sixth preside...

Aaron Rote is the Co-Owner of Short Story Brewing located in Rivesville, West Virginia – in Marion County. Short Story Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery in Rivesville, WV. They believe that all good things are the result of a lot of hard work and a little creativity. You can taste it in their beer, you can see it in their taproom and you can feel it in their surrounding community.

Dan Davis is the Co-owner of Kin Ship Goods located in Charleston West Virginia – in Kanawha County. Kin Ship Goods is a lifestyle brand, retail shop, and print studio located on Charleston's West Side. Kin Ship Goods also serves as a community space—hosting events, music, and fundraisers for numerous social justice causes. Dan Davis has been making art for as long as he can remember and has been...

Sue Jennings is the Owner of Allegheny Treenware located in Thornton, West Virginia – in Preston County. Allegheny Treenware is a company focused on the production of wooden kitchen utensils. It has been proudly owned and operated by Stanley and Sue Jennings for more than 25 years.    All products are MADE by hand, with quality West Virginia hardwoods.    Every item is shaped by hand, and every sp...

Lonnie Fast is the President of Fast Hay Movers located in Fairmont, West Virginia – in Marion County. Lonnie is the inventor of the famous "Hay Baby" hay transporter. Their unique, patented hay machines attach to most all ATV's, side by side UTV's and 3 pt hitches on compact tractors. These are used to transport round hay bales of all sizes or large rectangle hay bales.  The concept was born out...

Melody Urbanic is the Owner of Cafe' Cimino located in Sutton, West Virginia – in Braxton County. Melody Urbanic and Chef Tim Urbanic have, over the past 20 years, lovingly created one of this state's most popular and celebrated Inns.  Cafe Cimino Country Inn, named as one of the "South's Best Inns" by Southern Living Magazine, is a full scale, full service Inn with 10 guest rooms, an award winnin...

Andrew Goldbaugh is the Owner of Goldbaugh Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation. Andrew was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is a 2007 graduate of Wheeling Park High School. Following high school, he attended West Virginia University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. While at WVU, he was also a four year member of the Mountaineer football team. Followi...

Thomas Gilson is the Owner of The Cheese Melt, a gourmet grilled cheese food truck based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Thomas started the business in 2014 with a small hot dog cart converted into a grilled cheese cart, then bumped up to a food trailer and 2 years after that built a full-blown food truck. Today, he currently runs both the trailer and the truck in the Ohio Valley for lunches, special...

Doyle Tenney is the Owner of DT Solar, based in French Creek, West Virginia – in Upshur County. DT Solar delivers solar power systems to meet the unique needs of residential or business customers. Doyle began DT Solar to bring solar technology to the people in French Creek, WV, and surrounding areas. He believes in the cost savings and environmental benefits that solar technology provides.

Dave Stone is the Owner of Stone Road Vineyard, based in Elizabeth, West Virginia – Wirt County! Stone Road Vineyard represents the union of quality grapes with traditional, natural venting techniques. Stone Road Vineyard offers a history-honored touch to their varietals and blended red and white wines. I invited Dave on the show today to talk about his company and share his story, and to give our...

Matt Welsch is the Owner of Vagabond Kitchen, based in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 2013 Matt Welsch, the Vagabond Chef, traversed the country by motorcycle discovering and exploring the culinary renaissance in the United States. At the end of the year, he returned home to Wheeling bringing with him a wealth of restaurant and food experience, inspiration, and excitement which became the foundation...

Robert Doeffinger is the President of ZMM Architects & Engineers, based in Charleston, West Virginia. ZMM is an integrated award-winning design firm providing professional services throughout the Mountain State. Bob is a professional engineer and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.    He settled in Point Pleasant, West Virginia at a young age.    He graduated from West Virginia University with a...