L-R: Clarissa (Crissy) Estep, Ethan Slaubaugh, John Dahlia, Kimberly Moyer, and Andrew Nelson

L-R: Clarissa (Crissy) Estep, Ethan Slaubaugh, John Dahlia, Kimberly Moyer, and Andrew Nelson

June 19, 2015 – The first Preston Community Fund Advisory Committee was appointed at the annual meeting of Tucker Community Foundation held May 20.  The committee is the first of its kind for the Foundation and reflects increased interest of donors who are investing Preston County.

The Preston Community Fund is a pilot project of Tucker Community Foundation.  Preston is one of eight counties served by the Foundation.  In 2011, with donor activity growing in the Preston area, board members dedicated $5,000 as a challenge-match incentive to seed an endowment creating a pool of unrestricted funds. The funds will provide perpetual grant support and scholarship awards for Preston County.  By December of 2013, Preston County had met the challenge and the fund was fully endowed.

Members of the newly appointed Advisory Committee include Dr. Clarissa Estep, Ethan Slaubaugh, John Dahlia, Kimberly Moyer and Andrew Nelson.  The committee will make annual grant and scholarship recommendations based on a competitive application process and serve as a resource for donors who are interested in building the endowment.

Dr. Estep has a PhD in political science.  She is an associate professor at West Virginia University where she is assistant chair of the Multidisciplinary Studies Program and faculty advisor for the WVU Model United Nations team.  She is a member of the Kingwood Rotary Club, Cub Scout den mother, and elected member of the Preston County Board of Education.  She is married to Paul Estep, a Kingwood attorney and they are the proud parents of William and Grace.

Ethan Slaubaugh lives in Eglon, WV. He graduated in the top ten of his graduating class at Tucker County High School and lettered all four years in golf and basketball.  Slaubaugh graduated with honors from Davis & Elkins College with a degree in accounting.  He is employed at Miners and Merchants Bank in Thomas, West Virginia in the loan department.

John Dahlia, Editor of the Preston County News and Journal, lives in Kingwood, WV.  His prior accomplishments include: reporter/producer at WDTV, Executive Director of the Main Street Fairmont project, Deputy Mayor City of Fairmont, adjunct professor WVU School of Journalism, and board member of the WV High Technology Foundation Affiliate Leadership Council. John lives in Kingwood and is the proud father of one son and one daughter. He was recently appointed to the Preston County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Kimberly Moyer graduated Cum Laude from West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Communication Studies.  She is Business Relationship Banker for My Bank First United Bank & Trust’s Monongalia County market area.  She serves on the American Bankers Association Commercial Lending Schools Advisory Board, the United Way of Monongalia & Preston Counties Board of Directors, Special Olympics West Virginia Polar Plunge Committee, Women’s Innovative Networking Group (WINGs), and West Virginia Dairy Princess Committee.  She is Assistant Leader of the Cheat Lake Sailors 4-H Club. A mother of 4 year old twins, Addison and Colin, Moyer and her husband Anthony reside in Bruceton Mills, WV.  In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys attending West Virginia University sports events, golfing, hiking, reading and being outdoors.

Andrew Nelson is a resident of Aurora, WV and has been in the area for 10 years.  His primary job is with the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University, where he serves as the Program Coordinator for the Eastern Panhandle Region.  Andrew has traveled to India and other international locations to conduct autism workshops and trainings, and is the author of “Foundation Role Plays for Autism” by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.  Andrew also works part-time at the Crimson Shamrock farm in Eglon, WV.  He is an avid fly fisherman and father of three children.

Dr. David Moran of Eglon, WV will act as board liaison for the PCF Advisory Committee.  He has served on the Board of Directors for Tucker Community Foundation since 2007.

A series of Preston Community Fund radio ads currently running on WFSP feature some of the advisory committee members.  The committee will meet later this month for planning purposes.

For more information on the Preston Community Fund, call 304.259.5008.  Tucker Community Foundation was established in 1989.  Assets managed by the Foundation benefit an eight county region and include more than 110 endowed funds and other income.  The mission of Tucker Community Foundation is to create opportunities for the communities we serve. We welcome the addition of these individuals who are helping create opportunities for Preston County.

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