Board Meetings

Board of Directors

Ashley Alford Glance

Board President

Ashley is the President of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce where she works to agressively promote and retain businesses to the area. She has years of nonprofit management both through her work at the Chamber in addition to serving on multiple other boards. She resides in Hurricane with her husband and son. 

Alexandra Pfost Chaney

Board Vice President

Alexandra is a freelance social media manager in Putnam County. Prior to this she served as the Marketing and Agritourism Manager at Gritt’s Farm in Buffalo. A Charleston native and Putnam County resident, Alexandra learned from her grandparents who operated a local Italian restaurant in Putnam County for 15 years. In her free time she likes to exercise, cook, and find the best local ice cream spots when she travels.

Justin Williams

Board Treasurer

Justin is the Director of Putnam County Parks and Recreation. His background in banking before joining Putnam County Parks and Recreation has led to a period of stability and growth for our local parks. In his free time he enjoys travel and photography. 

Maggie Blankenship

Maggie is a Putnam County native and works as the Assistant Director Programs & Events at the WV Department of Agriculture. Additionally, she and her husband own and operate Old School Christmas Farm in Putnam County, West Virginia’s first reindeer farm, bringing the magic of the holidays home. Maggie serves as the Putnam County Fair Representative.

Kathie Hess Crouse

Kathie is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and a community leader. She is actively engaged in our community, county, and state. As a lifelong West Virginia resident, she wants the rest of the world to realize how beautiful West Virginia is! Kathie enjoys being outdoors and enjoying the summer weather and lives in Buffalo. She is married with five children and loves the people, space, and convenience of Putnam County without all of the hustle and bustle.

Cynthia McGill

Cynthia serves in a variety of community and tourism roles in her hometown of Nitro and beyond. A city council member, she also serves on the Nitro CVB board of directors, and is President of the Nitro History and Wars Museum. She also serves as the Conservation District supervisor, volunteers in veterans outreach groups and other community events, and leads nature walks at Ridenour Lake. In her free time she enjoys hiking, walking, and tending to the community garden. 

Amanda Ramey

Amanda is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hurricane and is the Putnam County Commission Representative on the Board. She began her role at the City of Hurricane in 2017. Her responsibilities include communications, marketing, public relations, planning, zoning, development and parks. She has prior experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Amanda grew up in Hurricane, graduated from Hurricane High School in 2000 and from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism in 2004. She and her husband Ryan have two boys, Austin and Carson. As a family, they enjoy traveling, outdoor activities like camping and fishing and are active members of Hurricane First Church of the Nazarene. Amanda loves to promote Hurricane – and Putnam County as a whole – because of the wonderful people who live here and all the awesome activities and events that are always happening.

Rob Sydenstricker

Rob is the owner of the FireSide Grille in Putnam County and has over 30 years in the food and beverage industry. He graduated Marshall University with a degree in finance. After graduating Marshall he was a broker with Financial Underwriters and owned the Island Time Club and rental properties. He loves Putnam County and serving on the on the Chamber and CVB board.

Matt Young

Matt Young is a Certified Financial Planner® with Horizon Financial Solutions and a longtime resident of Hurricane. He is actively involved in promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in Putnam County through his work with Meeks Mountain Trails, a regional and local trail destination. Matt helps organize community events such as the Hurricane Crush Run and the Hurricane Hundred K, an ultradistance race that brings runners and their families from across the country to the area. He also helps host outdoor education events for families on Meeks Mountain Trails.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys trail running, coaching, West Virginia and American history, camping, fishing, and spending time outdoors.  He lives in Hurricane with his wife, Ann Marie, and their children, Caroline and Charlie.  His favorite thing about Putnam County is Meeks Mountain Trails and the heart and generosity of its volunteer community.