The beautiful season of fall has finally arrived in West Virginia. The hills and mountains are blanketed in color, cooler evenings have renewed football rivalries and visitors are arriving to enjoy the spectacular beauty found in every corner of our state. Autumn is a season of change, and as the pages of this magazine illustrate, the Mountain State is experiencing changes of its own with exciting new developments and opportunities.
Our cover story focuses on Dominique Ranieri, the first female CEO of West Virginia International Yeager Airport. You will learn how she earned both her high school and college degrees by age 18 before enrolling in law school and eventually finding her way to Charleston. Today, the ambitious and multitalented leader is overseeing major improvements at our state’s largest airport that promise to enhance the passenger experience and position the airport for future growth.
At the Chamber’s recent Annual Meeting & Business Summit, we learned about one of the biggest challenges facing our nation — the extraordinary demand for reliable, affordable power. In this edition, we explore how West Virginia is uniquely positioned to meet that demand through its abundant energy resources, including coal, natural gas, wind and solar. Nuclear energy could also become part of the state’s future energy mix. As TC Energy President and CEO François Poirier said, the country’s demand for power “represents an unprecedented opportunity for West Virginia.”
Of course, not all changes are positive, as evidenced by the growing number of cyberattacks across America. Fortunately, West Virginia University and Marshall University are helping meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals to combat these threats. Both universities are nationally recognized as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Next summer, Marshall is scheduled to open its new 72,000-square-foot Institute for Cybersecurity, bringing students, researchers and private companies together while creating significant economic development opportunities for the region. Equally important, both universities hope the expanding cybersecurity industry will enable graduates to build rewarding, well-paying careers right here in West Virginia.
This edition also spotlights our Women’s Leadership Summit, now in its ninth year. The two-day conference brings together executives, entrepreneurs, leaders, public servants, educators and students from throughout the state. Held annually at The Greenbrier, the event has a simple but important mission: to inspire women to embrace their potential as leaders. We are proud to see how it has grown into a powerful force for women.
Access to healthcare has long been a challenge in rural West Virginia, but our state’s medical schools and hospital systems are finding innovative ways to address the problem. The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine has made training physicians to serve rural communities a central part of its mission. Meanwhile, WVU Medicine, Vandalia Health and Marshall Health Network have introduced mobile medical units that bring essential services to residents in underserved areas. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to improving access to quality care and strengthening the health of our communities.
Finally, autumn is also the season when the Chamber team travels across West Virginia to meet with small-business owners, educators, healthcare providers and local officials. Each year, these visits remind us of what makes our state so special: a deep love for West Virginia, pride in our history and traditions and genuine concern for the well-being of our neighbors. Few places can match the loyalty and determination of West Virginians, who embrace opportunities for a brighter future while holding fast to the values and natural beauty that define our state.
So, take a moment to breathe in the crisp autumn air and enjoy the spectacular colors surrounding us. And as we look ahead to 2027, join us in celebrating the exciting changes shaping West Virginia’s future.
Steve Roberts
President, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce