Positively West Virginia

Growing up in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Mike’s love for construction began at a young age. One summer, Mike helped his dad build a deck on the back of their house, and his passion for building structures grew. The aspiring engineer was active with construction mission trips throughout high school and worked with a residential contractor during summers in college. He went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Business Administration from West Virginia University. Continue reading Episode 138 – Mike Howell – Arrow Engineering at Positively West Virginia.

Small Business Exporter of the Year Lawrence Michael McCown Industrial Bolting Technologies, Inc. Mike@industrialbolting.com 304-744-9489  Industrial Bolting Technologies, Inc. started in 2003 in Tyler Mountain, West Virginia by Mike McCrown. McCown created The Torsion X brand and hydraulic tools. These high-quality tools are sold domestically and internationally. Recently, Industrial Bolting Technologies, Inc. was just named “Small Business Exporter Of The Year” by the United States Small Business Administration in West Virginia. Continue reading Episode 137 – 2020 Small Business Administration Winners Mastermind – Part 2 at Positively West Virginia.

Small Business Person of the Year Kim Eastman & Brenda Sheldon Hospitality Cleaning Solutions, LLC kim@hcs-wv.com; brenda@hcs-wv.com 304-757-9392 Hospitality Cleaning Solutions, LLC, is a woman-owned, small business facilities management company with broad operations related to capabilities and over 18 years of experience providing constructive solutions to organizations. HCS is a company that places Christian values as their foundation. Continue reading Episode 136 – 2020 Small Business Administration Winners Mastermind – Part 1 at Positively West Virginia.

Lisa Biafore grew up in Cape May County, New Jersey, and moved to Morgantown with her husband, Michael, in 1996. She has a BS from Glassboro State (now Rowan University) and an MBA from Drexel University. Lisa spent over 30 years in the corporate world with her last position as a Sr. Program Manager for a consulting firm providing support to a large federal government agency. Starting the Tea Shoppe was to be a ‘fun’ retirement option. Continue reading Episode 135 – Lisa Biafore – The Tea Shoppe at Positively West Virginia.

  Gino Degregori is the President and CEO of Bravo Consulting Group, LLC, which is based in Leesburg, VA, but they also have an office in Morgantown, WV. He is a graduate of WVU with a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems and a Master’s in Software Engineering. Since 2007, Degregori and his team have consistently and reliably worked with federal agencies and Fortune 500 clients. They have also pioneered custom software solutions that have become central components of their client’s businesses and their success. Continue reading Episode 134 – Gino Degregori – Bravo Consulting Group at Positively West Virginia.

  In 2018, Ascent Consulting and Engineering started in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Ascent has a diverse staff who brings expertise in nearly every facet of civil engineering. They’re committed to providing quality services, building long-lasting relationships and supporting and encouraging their employees.  Zach Assaro, a member at Ascent Consulting and Engineering, graduated from Fairmont State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and Technology. Additionally, he has 10 years of consulting experience in civil engineering, telecommunications and site development. Continue reading Episode 133 – Zach Assaro – Ascent Consulting and Engineering at Positively West Virginia.

FD Kitchen and Bath, owned by Ken and Floann Downey, is a full-service design, sales and installation company. They specialize in the design of kitchens, baths and closets in the greater Morgantown area. FD Kitchen and Bath has been in the residential construction business since 1995. The company works on a variety of projects ranging from small remodels to complete turnkey homes. Most recently, FD Kitchen and Bath has focused on specialty remodels and log home services.  Continue reading Episode 132 – Ken and Floann Downey – FD Kitchen and Bath at Positively West Virginia.

            SHOW NOTES: 3:06 Gina and Victoria, take a minute, fill in some gaps from that brief intro and give us a little behind the curtain look into your company. 3:56 How/ when did you get started in this business? Continue reading Episode 131 – Gina Jordan and Victoria Kesner – Gina’s Soft Cloth Shop at Positively West Virginia.

  John Obrist is the Owner of WineJug in Weirton, West Virginia. John received his BS from Ithaca College and his MBA from Penn State University. John has been married for 29 years to La-day-ah Obrist with four kids (ages 20, 19, 19, and 16) – yes, 3 in college! WineJug is a wine specialty retail store and online company designed to offer incredible wine across a spectrum of price ranges. Continue reading Episode 130 – John Obrist – WineJug at Positively West Virginia.

  Travis Foster is the President of Bacteria Busters, located in Buckhannon, WV. Centered on professionalism and backed by science, Bacteria Busters of West Virginia is the state’s premier provider of interior and exterior disinfection for homes, businesses and more. Their cornerstone service is their interior dry mist fogging, which produces a droplet so small that there is no residue. Their foggers also allow them to easily disinfect all indoor surfaces, which removes the threat of infection and bacterial growth. Continue reading Episode 129 – Travis Foster – Bacteria Busters at Positively West Virginia.

    Tony Watson is an accomplished multifaceted sales leader with a proven track record in the field of Medical Equipment and supplies. Tony is the VP of Sales at Destiny Consultants, which is Woman Owned and a 100% Service Disabled Veteran Small Business that provides Medical equipment and services to the Federal Government. Their mission is simple – to build a best in class distribution and service company that allows their customers to fully benefit from their products and services, all while delivering overwhelming service and spreading the power of optimism. Continue reading Episode 128 – Tony Watson – Destiny Consultants at Positively West Virginia.

  Leah Heimbach, is President and Owner of H M S, LLC in Fairmont, West Virginia.   HMS protects vulnerable populations and veterans.  HMS blends their unique healthcare and technology expertise to create bold yet cost-effective solutions that federal and state agencies and their private-sector partners need to make sure your loved ones get the best possible care in nursing homes and other healthcare settings, no matter where in America they live. Continue reading Episode 127 – Leah Heimbach – HMS at Positively West Virginia.

  Traci Phillips is the CEO and Owner of Fun Fitness Kids Club.  Traci’s spouse Justin Phillips is COO. Fun Fitness Kids Club was recently named Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year by the West Virginia Small Business Administration.   Fun Fitness Kids Club provides rental fitness equipment for ages Birth to 5 years old. They are focused on fitness and bring the fun to their customers in the Charleston, Huntington and Beckley areas. Continue reading Episode 126 – Traci and Justin Phillips – Fun Fitness Kids Club at Positively West Virginia.

Mike Emerson was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1978 and sold life insurance for Northwestern Mutual for two years before going to work for IBM in 1980. Emerson was a marketing representative and systems engineer with IBM for seven years before moving back to Huntington, WV in 1986 to learn about his wife’s family business, Huntington Steel. Continue reading Episode 125 – Mike Emerson – Huntington Steel at Positively West Virginia.

  Robert A. Alonso II (Tony) served in the United States Air Force from Jan. 85-Apr 98.  After he separated from the USAF he relocated back home to WV.  He began working with his father (Bob), his brother (Todd), and his sister (Tish) in the construction business as a Project Manager and Estimator. Robert received his service connected disability from the Veteran’s Administration in 2009.  In September of 2010 Robert, Todd and Tish formed The Alonso Group. Continue reading Episode 124 – Tony Alonso – The Alonso Group at Positively West Virginia.

  ITrend Technology was founded by Edward Green, a federally contracted IT professional turned businessman, who has a mission to simplify the world of Information Technology for individuals and businesses. Having worked in the Information Technology field since 1998, Edward decided to form ITrend Technology, a local IT management business that focuses on putting customers first. At ITrend Technology, our certified, experienced staff can offer customized solutions based on the needs of your business. Continue reading Episode 123 – Ed Green – ITrend Technology at Positively West Virginia.

  Andrew Cutright is a managing member of Cutright Law located in the Suncrest Towne Centre in Morgantown, WV. His father Roger Cutright is also a member of Cutright Law, and combined they have over 30 years of experience. Andrew is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and also a graduate from WVU Law School. Cutright Law specializes in contract law, as well as property and oil and gas law. Continue reading Episode 122 – Andrew Cutright – Cutright Law at Positively West Virginia.

  Andrea Bourdelais graduated from the University of Vermont in 1985 and Washington State University in 1991.  She has one daughter Olivia who recently graduated from the University of Vermont.   She moved from Wilmington NC to the Tristate area in 2017 to help run the family business, Level 1 Fasteners with her brother Ted Bourdelais who is the shop manager and her father Jack Bourdelais, who is retired in place.  Continue reading Episode 121 – Andrea Bourdelais – Level 1 Fasteners at Positively West Virginia.

  For more than two years, Positively West Virginia has brought you compelling stories about West Virginia businesses. Our mission is to educate, inspire and motivate people. Now, we have gathered together some of our most influential guests to create an ongoing panel discussion focused on encouraging WV small businesses in their effort to thrive in the mountain state. Hear from business and marketing professionals, leadership gurus and financial coaches as they discuss the matters that impact small businesses in our great state. Continue reading WV Small Business Mastermind – Episode 5 at Positively West Virginia.

  Mike McCown is a 1987 graduate of West Virginia University in Industrial Engineering. He and his wife, Tera, of twenty-five years have two daughters. Elizabeth, recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University; Emily, currently attending Wake Forest University. Mike started Industrial Bolting Technologies, Inc. (IBT) in January of 2003. IBT was known as the local leader and supplier for hydraulic torque equipment. As of 2006, the bulk of the hydraulic tools were imported from Asia. Continue reading Episode 120 – Mike McCown – Industrial Bolting Technologies at Positively West Virginia.