WV CEOs talk about starting and growing their successful businesses in the state

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia CEOs talk about starting and growing their successful businesses in the state in a new video from the West Virginia Development Office. The video "Business at the Speed of Life" is the latest tool in the state’s business recruitment kit.

The video is West Virginia’s business story, told by West Virginia’s business people. The best people to talk about the advantages of starting and growing a business in West Virginia are the business executives who are succeeding here. The video is designed to speak to CEOs and encourage them to consider expanding their existing operations, opening new branches or starting new businesses in West Virginia, ultimately creating new jobs for the state.

The CEO video features: Azimuth Inc., Morgantown. Craig Hartzell, president, BrooAlexa, Charleston. Frances Brooks, CEO; Gene Brooks, president. Coldwater Creek, Parkersburg. Gerard El Chaar, senior vice president of operations. DuPont Washington Works, Washington. Karl J. Boelter, plant manager. Macy’s, Martinsburg. Peter Longo, president of logistics and operations. Quad/Graphics, Martinsburg. Tim Pulte, plant manager. Martinsburg Gravure Press. Renick Millworks, Renick. Jay Petre, president. STaSIS Engineering, Summit Point. Paul Lambert, president and CEO.

The video briefly highlights some of West Virginia’s economic achievements, such as billions in new business investments and six consecutive years of state surpluses — without a tax increase. Many of the CEOs cite business attractions, such as low cost of doing business, the lowest manufacturing employee turnover rate in the country and small business resources and services.

The full video can be viewed at www.businessatthespeedoflife.com.