Positively West Virginia

Tony Onorato has always been a go-getter. Licensed as a Professional Counselor, he functions as a Sports Performance Consultant out of his agency in Morgantown, West Virginia. APO Consulting was born almost 25 years ago and focuses on working anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and sports performance-related issues. Oranto is also the owner of the ProHealth […]

Creator and owner of Mountain State Overland (LLC), Jason Specht has always considered himself a mountain man.  Mountain State Overland was founded in the “Mountain State” in 2013. Its team of explorers has enjoyed nearly 100,000 miles of vehicle-based adventures––the team focuses on still and motion-based image capturing.  With over 100 videos published online, the […]

Jimmy Belknap has always known the value of a hard day’s work. Raised on a cattle farm, he spent some time in the electrical industry before ultimately transferring to oil and gas. Today, he continues this long legacy of hard work––only now with a brick oven and wooden paddle.  A Braxton County native, Belknap is […]

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Brittany Fink has called Morgantown home since graduating from the West Virginia University College of Law. Today, she is the proud owner of Brittany Anne’s Events.  Fink practiced law for five years before transitioning to the WVU staff as an Employee Relations Investigator. After starting a new career with the […]

West Virginia’s garage door expert, Anthony Sellaro, was destined for West Virginia glory. With the help of his two brothers, John and James, the three of them started Sellaro Overhead Door Service in 1986. Born in Morgantown, Sellaro holds a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University in Personnel Management and has previous working experience […]

In 1989, Mike Lee and his family immigrated from Taiwan –– he was only eight years old at the time. Today, he is the Dealer Principal (Owner) of Freedom Kia in Granville, West Virginia.  Hailing from New Jersey for most of his life, Lee obtained an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University. After graduation, he […]

Facilitating a difference in the lives of many, is Eleanor Reigel, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown.  Reigel has worked with the charity for more than a decade, after previous employment with the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For Reigel, work is more than a job––it’s a passion.  “The […]

An architect by trade, Brendan Fenn, has been living out his ‘happy retirement’ owning and operating Grindstone Coffeeology.  Fenn and his family are from a land “down under.” They relocated from Australia to Huntington, West Virginia, in August of 2015. Although the move was part of his previous occupation, it didn’t take Fenn long to […]

Jerill Vance is a woodworker, educator, and owner of the Appalachian Heritage Woodshop.  The purpose of the Appalachian Heritage Woodshop is to educate an audience about the form and function of utilitarian Appalachian furniture through a revisitation of the era in which they were produced. “By learning about the function of antique furniture,” said Vance, […]

In the heart of Appalachia is everyone’s favorite brewery. Big Timber Brewing Company, located in Elkins, West Virginia, started as a dream ––but after seven years of reality, co-founder, Ashley Kwasniewski, is still as giddy as ever. After high school, Kwasniewski, a recreationist, traveled before eventually settling in Missoula, Montana. Upon her arrival in the […]

Cassie Smith lives in Morgantown, West Virginia, and has been an avid mountain biker for almost three decades. As the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League Director, her passion has become her vocation. The West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League is a 501(c)(3) and one of 31 other leagues across the country. Each league exists to develop […]

Laura Seybold is on a mission to recover what makes West Virginia “shine.” In 2019, she founded Shine Consulting, LLC, which focuses on developing an organization’s best asset – its people.  Fascinated by Economics, Seybold obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wright State University and an Executive MBA from West Virginia University. Equally […]

In 2015, Kelsi Boyd searched for locally sourced and cleaner alternatives to traditional Big Box soap and skincare products. Living in Mason County (WV) at the time, she either had to commute to find them or get creative. Choosing the latter, the Silver Market Company was born.  Through a series of video watching and trial […]

Christopher Mullett has served as President and CEO of Burlington United Methodist Family Services since April of 2020. His passion is simple––to make a difference.  Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. was founded in October of 1913 by a dedicated physician, Dr. F.L. Baker, and his friend, Rev. Mr. F.C. Rollman, a Justice of the […]

Nicole Bostic grew up the affectionate Army Brat of her father––traveling back and forth from one military station to the next. Upon his retirement, Bostic took it upon herself to spread her wings and make her mark on the world. Finally, after nearly 20 years in Tennessee, her heart found its way back home.  While […]

Forest “Jack” Bowman is the Jackson Kelly Professor of Law Emeritus at West Virginia University and a lifelong West Virginian. He taught law at WVU for twenty-three years, during which time he was named “Professor of the Year” by an unprecedented seven graduating classes. In 1988, he was named “Professor of the Year” for all […]

Retired Air Force Colonel Sean Frisbee founded Vertx Partners in 2021 to solve problems for the U.S. Air Force, while bettering the economy of West Virginia. A former President & CEO of the WVU Alumni Association, and once the Systems Program Director for the Pentagon’s F-22 Raptor program, Frisbee brings a veritable wealth of insider […]

Clay Elkins is a quintessential food and wine guy who strives to deliver world-class dining and entertainment experiences. He earned a BS in Computer Information Systems from Appalachian State University but quickly learned that the cubicle life was not for him; deciding, instead, to pursue his long-time passion for food and beverage.  Clay went on […]

Stephanie Bender is the owner and operator of S&T’s Bees in downtown Elkins. S&T’s Bees sells all supplies needed for beekeeping, as well as honey, lip balm, lotions, soaps and other items made from honey. Wood, country, primitive, and crocheted items are among the several other items you can find at the eccentric downtown Elkins […]

Patty Showers Ryan became President of Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF) in June 2016.  Ms. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Colorado State University and returned home to Morgantown in 2002. Her career includes corporate and nonprofit work in Colorado, Maryland and West Virginia. Prior to joining […]