Charleston, W.Va. -
Recognizing the importance of retaining, recruiting and advancement of young talent, Former Governor Joe Manchin III signed an executive order recognizing Generation West Virginia prior to leaving the governor’s office to become U.S. Senator.
Launched in 2007, Generation West Virginia is a statewide coalition of young talent organizations. The group aims to cultivate and engage young talent in West Virginia by identifying and advancing the interests of young people, promoting the growth and success of local young talent organizations and helping make West Virginia a great place to live, work and play.
“This executive order recognizes the hard work of young leaders across the state and ensures continued gubernatorial support for our mission,” said Paul Daugherty, chairman of Generation West Virginia. “For generations West Virginia saw its young talent leave the state to pursue other opportunities, but we’re starting to see a change. From Martinsburg to Charleston and Wheeling to Bluefield, young leaders are coming together to provide reasons for their peers to stay in the Mountain State and become invested in their community.”
In 2008, then-Governor Manchin created the Governor’s Council of Young Professionals to provide the demographic a seat at the table in state government. Since then, representatives from each Generation West Virginia regional group have met with the governor and his senior staff quarterly to share ideas and explore opportunities for collaborations. Simultaneously, Generation West Virginia members have become more actively involved in state government by submitting their credentials for consideration to executive brand boards and commissions. Last Spring, then-Governor Manchin convened the first-ever Governor’s Summit on Young Talent attracting young people across the state and stakeholders from a variety of industries to identify areas of need and opportunities to attract and retain young talent.
Generation West Virginia is comprised with young talent organizations statewide including Generation Beckley, Generation Charleston; Generation Morgantown; Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle; Young Emerging Leaders of the Mid-Ohio Valley; OVConnect, based in Wheeling; Huntington Young Professionals; Pendleton County YPC; Generation GAP, based in Mercer County; Generation Greenbrier Valley; North Central Young Leaders; and Generation Putnam.
About Generation West Virginia
Generation West Virginia aims to cultivate and engage young talent in West Virginia by identifying and advancing the interests of young people; promoting the growth and success of local young talent organizations in West Virginia; retaining, attractive and advancing young talent; helping make West Virginia a great place to live, work and play; and improving the Mountain State’s image internally and externally. For more information about Generation West Virginia or any of its regional groups visit www.generationwv.com.