CHARLESTON -- Fifty-two leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 19th class of Leadership West Virginia. Twenty-four individuals from the Charleston area are among those selected; their names are highlighted below. Candidates were selected from a list of nominations that was submitted in late 2008.

Leadership West Virginia is a statewide education and leadership development program affiliated with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The eight-month program identifies emerging leaders throughout West Virginia and enhances their knowledge not only of the challenges facing the state, but also the state’s unique attributes and diversity. Recognizing that the cultivation of new leadership is of utmost importance to West Virginia’s future prosperity and progress, Leadership West Virginia works to develop and motivate a cross-section of leaders who will use their talents and abilities to inspire others and to foster a new spirit of energy, enthusiasm and vitality throughout the state.

Each year, participants are selected from a list of top-quality applicants from around the state. Individuals are selected into the program because they demonstrate leadership skills and -- experiences in civic activities, public affairs and in their professional careers. “We are very pleased with the quality and number of people who applied for this year’s class,” said Pam Farris, Executive Director of Leadership West Virginia. “It was a very competitive process.”

Throughout the year members of the class will travel to eight communities in West Virginia to receive broad-based education on critical topics and, at the same time, have opportunities to hone their leadership skills. The 2009 Class of Leadership West Virginia includes:

* Maribeth Anderson, Chesapeake Energy Corp. (Charleston)

* Ronald Bane, City of Morgantown (Morgantown)

* Emily Bennington, Dixon Hughes PLLC (Charleston)

* Michael Biafore, Biafore Landscape Development (Morgantown)

* John Canfield, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (Charleston)

* Anita Casey, The West Virginia State Bar (Charleston)

* Geoffrey Christian, Commercial Insurance Services (Charleston)

* Stephen Christian, Berkeley County Development Authority (Martinsburg)

* Elizabeth Cimino, Jackson Kelly PLLC (Charleston)

* Patrick Clark, Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, LLP (Charleston)

* Tricia Clark, Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC CPAs (Charleston)

* Dwight Coburn, Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. (Huntington)

* Julie Cryser, West Virginia University (Morgantown)

* Michael Cvechko, Allegheny Insurance Services (Elkins)

* Ernest Dennison, Nicholas County Commission (Summersville)

* Robert Dunkerley, Helianthus LLC (Elkins)

* Michael Forninash, Dominion Hope (Clarksburg)

* Christena Franco, CAMC University (Charleston)

* Dusty Gwinn, West Virginia University Research Corporation (Morgantown)

* Emily Haas, Communities in Schools of Greenbrier County (Lewisburg)

* Roger Hanshaw, West Virginia University Extension Service (Morgantown)

* Frank Hartman, Lewis Glasser Casey & Rollins PLLC (Charleston)

* Brandon Holmes, WELD, LLC/Lights On! WV, LLC (Oak Hill)

* Maria Hughes, Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC (Charleston)

* Corey Isner, Triana Management Services, (Charleston)

* David Jarrett, American Red Cross (Charleston)

* Cheryl Jones, WVU Children’s Hospital (Morgantown)

* Ruth Joseck, Huntington National Bank (Charleston)

* Jason Koegler, West Liberty State College (West Liberty)

* Pat Kurtenbach, Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO) (Huntington)

* Michael Linkous, West Virginia American Water Co. (Charleston)

* Jennifer Maghan, Jefferson County (Charles Town)

* Andy Malinoski, West Virginia Mutual Insurance Co. (Charleston)

* Michael Massinople, Mabscott Supply Company (Nitro)

* Gary McIntyre, Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (Parkersburg)

* Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia (Charleston)

* Chris Miltenberger, ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls (Rocket Center)

* David Molgaard, City of Charleston (Charleston)

* Nora Morris, Five15 Creative (Elkins)

* Robert Morris, Jr., Elkins Business Consultants, Inc. (Elkins)

* Karen Oldham, Mason County Schools (Hurricane)

* Tony Paterno, Wells Fargo Insurance Services (Charleston)

* Andrew Pauley, Offices of the Insurance Commissioner/WV (Charleston)

* Barbara Phillips, City National Bank (Lewisburg)

* Aaron Plaugher, MeadWestvaco (Rupert)

* Larry Rector, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (Clarksburg)

* Dave Shaw, Freedom Bank (Belington)

* Jane Siers, WV Public Broadcasting (Charleston)

* Kathryn Stanley, Mountain State University (Beckley)

* Stacey Waller, Clayman & Associates PLLC (Charleston)

* Julie Whiteman, West Virginia University (Morgantown)

* Mary Ann Young, New Martinsville School, Wetzel County Board of Education (New Martinsville)