West Virginia University’s Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative has appointed Paris Winfrey as assistant director of Ascend WV.
Winfrey has served as the experience coordinator for Ascend Morgantown since 2020, building the systems and relationships necessary for successful operations.
Ascend WV is continuing to grow throughout the state, with a new location in the Eastern Panhandle and two active locations in the Morgantown Area and the Greenbrier Valley continuing to welcome new members to live, work remotely and recreate in West Virginia. As the program grows, bringing on an assistant director is an important step to ensure consistency, quality and data-driven innovation.
"One of the markers of success is when we see our own team members rise into roles that use their experience and lessons learned to scale the program in size, scope, efficiency, quality and sustainability," said Emily Huguenin, director of Ascend WV with the Smith OEDC. "Paris has been integral to Ascend’s success from the beginning, and we know that this role will allow his administrative skills, commitment to the program's mission and technical expertise to shine."
"For the last two years, I have had the honor of working alongside our incredible team to help build this program,” Winfrey said. “As I see and hear the impact our members are having on their communities, and in return the mark this place is leaving on them, I am encouraged that the vision we all see for a better and brighter future in West Virginia may be here soon enough.”
“I look forward to serving the vision of Ascend in this new role and making this place one where everyone can find community, live their purpose and connect with the great outdoors,” Winfrey added.