Success Magazine recently ran an article about the traits commonly associated with women who were successful. The traits included being a visionary, constantly learning, working hard and being grateful. When the 39^th West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival began on September 1, a Bridgeport High School senior who possesses all of these traits was chosen to accompany the West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner during his open house and reception for the new West Virginia Business Hub in Clarksburg.

 

Brook Russell, who served as an Honorary Secretary of State last spring, received the invitation in early August. Warner requested her presence for his official ribbon cutting ceremony and reception at the new office located at 200 West Main Street in Clarksburg.The WV Hub office will share space with the existing WV State Auditor’s Office and is anticipated to be a key part of the growing economic climate of the area.

The WV Hub reception was held at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.

 

Warner’s “One Stop” strategy is designed to encourage entrepreneurship by clustering agencies who work with business owners in one geographic location, making the process more convenient and providing resources to potential business owners. 

 

The WV Hub office, supported by the WV legislature and Clarksburg businesses, will be close to the state tax department, business licensure offices, and the economic development board.  It will also serve as a regional satellite location for North Central West Virginia business owners who wish to file or amend registrations and annual reports and can accept candidate registrations for surrounding counties.

 

Already an award-winning leader in BHS DECA, Russell took the initiative to start a Bridgeport High School chapter of Inspire West Virginia last year.  The organization informed students of the voter registration process and implemented activities to boost registration and resources for informed voters.

 

After training with Inspire WV and serving as Honorary Secretary of State, Russell’s aspirations turned to a career in political science and public relations. She will be graduating early from BHS in December and plans to pursue a double major in those areas in college.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are by Ben Queen Photography.

 

“I was so honored to be included in such a significant event with Secretary Warner,” she said.  “The more I am involved with activities that promote economic growth in West Virginia, the more possibilities I see for making a difference for the Mountain State.”