West Virginia Chamber Announces New Board of Directors Chair

September 2, 2022

Charleston, W.Va. – The membership of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce elected its Chair of the Board of Directors to serve until next year’s Annual Membership Meeting on August 30, 2023.

Susan Lavenski, the CEO of Charles Ryan Associates, was elected as Chair at the 86th Annual Meeting held August 31. Maribeth Anderson, Director of Government Relations at Antero Resources Corporation, was elected as vice-chair.

 

Lavenski is the second female in West Virginia Chamber history to be elected to the role of Chair.

 

Lavenski stated, “I am honored to be elected as Chair of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and I am looking forward to working with the Chamber staff and colleagues as we continue to build on our proud legacy of accomplishments. I am convinced that West Virginia’s best days lie ahead and, together with the Chamber, will strive to create a better tomorrow in West Virginia.”

 

Lavenski is the successor of Steven Robey, Partner at Baker Tilly US, LLP.

 

Steve Roberts, President of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, stated, “I am extraordinarily appreciative of Steve Robey’s service as our previous Chairman. He led an enormously successful three-year term that saw the Chamber’s successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recovery.”

 

Roberts continued, “Susan Lavenski is a forward-thinking leader who is engaged in many aspects of improving West Virginia and we look forward to her leadership role at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.”

 

In addition, seven new members have been elected to the Board of Directors for the first time, including John Farris, Vice President & General Manager of Nucor Steel West Virginia; Rebecca Polan, CEO of REO Processing; Ben Gerber, CEO of Peak Health; Patrick O’Malley, Regional President of Truist; Kevin Yingling, President & CEO of Mountain Health Network; Don Rigby, past Executive Director of the Regional Economic Development Partnership; and Jeremy Hall, Regional CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare.

 

Members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are your small business neighbors. Chamber members employ over half of our state’s workforce and are found in every county and region of our state. More information on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.wvchamber.com.