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Professional Competencies
Leadership and Management Systems
Andrew has developed and honed his leadership skills through management of staff as Store Manager at Pathfinder of West Virginia (2007-2017), as the Program Support Specialist at WVU’s Adventure WV Department (2017-2022), and now in his active role as the Executive Director of the Mountaineer Trail Network Recreation Authority (MTN) (2022-Current). His leadership as President of the Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance (MAMBA) has also helped to bring structure to the organization and establish the non-profit as a key stakeholder in shared usage trail development within the Morgantown Area as an International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) 501.3c chapter.
He currently administrates a wide variety of project outcomes ranging from brand strategy and identity creation for the MTN, and collaboration and design for the MTN’s Launch of 5 Hub Destinations (Big Bear Lake Trail Center (Preston), Camp 70 Trail System (Tucker), Cheat River Water Trail + Narrows Whitewater Section (Tucker + Preston), Mountwood County Park (Wood), and the Snowshoe Mountain Backcountry Trail System (Pocahontas).
Andrew interacts with dozens of land managers, non-profit leadership, state and federal personnel, and local community stakeholders as he leads the MTN through legal agreements that establish liability protection through West Virginia Code 20-17A. In addition to the increased liability protection for private landowners, Andrew has worked to build project agreements with each of the 5 Hub Destinations that will design, build, and implement signage and infrastructure improvement projects to each Hub Destination. These projects will in turn allow the MTN and its partners to then promote these land and water based trail systems within their communities and abroad as the state of West Virginia and the MTN seek to increase the wealth and health of each impacted area.
Adventure WV: Spring break Florida 2019
Mountaineer Trail Network: Camp 70 Signage Presentation
Adventure WV: New England Winter Break Trip 2020 & 2022
Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance (Mamba) International Mountain Bike Association Chapter
Motown Throwdown 2007-2017
MOuntaineer Trail Network; Camp 70 Signage
Mountaineer Trail Network: Branding and Design Project Deliverables
Professional Competencies
Contributions to Public Administration
Since 2002, Andrew has lived and worked in Morgantown, West Virginia. During that time he has obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration from West Virginia University, managed West Virginia’s largest outdoor retail store (Pathfinder of WV), aided in the creation of Morgantown’s first IMBA chapter (Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance) as a founding member and President, and recently worked as a professional staff member and leader for the nationally ranked and accredited Adventure WV outdoor education program at West Virginia University. During his time in these various roles and now in his role as the Executive Director for the MTN, Andrew has developed a perspective on local economies, outdoor recreation operations, and leadership practices in addition to a deep appreciation for every citizen’s fundamental human right to engage in meaningful opportunities in outdoor recreation.
Mountaineer Trail Network Recreation Authority
Andrew currently works as the Executive Director for the Mountaineer Trail Network Recreation Authority (MTN). The MTN seeks to identify, enhance, and promote outdoor recreation across its 16 county network in West Virginia with the goal of furthering economic and social development for the communities represented.
morgantown Area Mountain bike Alliance (MAMBA)
Andrew is a founding member and as of 2023 the President of the Morgantown Area Mountain Bike Alliance (MAMBA). MAMBA’s mission is to foster an alliance dedicated to supporting and building the future of mountain biking in the Greater Morgantown Area. MAMBA has chosen the word alliance because they see their entire focus being collaborative within the city, state, and the local community. They hope to be the framework by which the residents of Morgantown can work, educate, and most importantly play, while using mountain biking as a vehicle for success within local communities.
Pathfinder of West Virginia
From 2002 until 2017 Andrew worked in many roles at Pathfinder of West Virginia. From 2007 through 2017 he worked as store manager, buyer, and as special event director for the Motown Throwdown Winter Festival. These experiences gave Andrew the opportunity to understand the finances and economics of running a large retail business while also engaging in marketing, staff management, extensive product research, customer service, and large scale event promotion. The local and national relationships that Andrew made during his time at Pathinder of WV give him an extensive catalog with regards to project resources and industry insight. You can still find Andrew moonlighting on most weekends at Pathfinder as the store and its staff are a part of his extended family.
Professional Competencies
Photography and Design
Photography is something that Andrew has been very fortunate to have discovered in his life. Viewing the world from behind a lens has given him the opportunity to reflect on his past experiences with greater depth and has given him the ability to create the content that he would like to see in that world. Having a basic understanding of the visual arts is a crucial component of creating your own content and having the ability to envision a design and then build it from its individual components is something that continues to excite Andrew. Being able to work constructively within the visual arts to create marketing that promotes the programs and events he works on has been invaluable to running efficient and effective systems.
New River Gorge, West Virginia
Education
2010- Bachelors of Arts: Political Science
In 2010, Andrew finished his undergraduate degree in political science with an emphasis in international relations. During this time he also received a minor in history.
2021 - Masters of Public Administration
In 2021, Andrew finished his graduate studies with an emphasis in public administration. during his time in the public administration program, andrew participated in the naaspa conference, recieved a 4.0 at graduation, and excellend in opportunities focused around outdoor recreation, community development, and leadership/management of professional staff.
“There is a delight in the hardy life of the open. There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm. The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value.”
