Welcome 2024 - 25 Young Leaders
The United Way’s Young Leaders Society is an international network of young professionals, who share a passion for advancing community solutions, in their own backyard and around the world. Through unique networking events, hands-on volunteering opportunities, and innovative leadership training, members leverage the power of the United Way to connect, serve and grow, both personally and professionally.
In an effort to encourage younger individuals to become involved in philanthropic efforts, give back to their community, and become engaged with nonprofit entities, the United Way of Greenbrier Valley initiated the Young Leaders program in 2021. We are now in year four of this successful program, with eight individuals in the class of 2024-2025. Several past participants have gone on to serve on the boards of nonprofits and continue their support of the United Way of Greenbrier Valley.
Savannah
LONG
Dr. Savannah Long is a West Virginia native, raised in Charleston, WV. She received her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her residency in Ocular Disease at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, consistently ranked as the number one eye hospital in the United States.
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One of Dr. Savannah's greatest achievements was opening a new, state of the art, eye center for the residents of the Greenbrier Valley. She supports many other organizations in the area and is looking forward to being a Young Leader and supporting the 2024/25 Campaign. Dr. Savannah is married to Ben Long and has two sons, ages two and three years of age.
BEN ANDERSON
Ben Anderson was born and raised in Ronceverte, where his grandparents, Benny and Shirley Elmore, owned Elmore’s Farm Supply, for many years. "My grandparents have unquestionably been the greatest influence on my life." Ben earned two bachelor degrees in Business Management & Accounting at WVU Tech and a Master Degree in Accountancy, at Marshall University.
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He currently works with Gayle E. Mason CPA, in Lewisburg. Ben has served in many roles in the community, supporting various nonprofit organizations, including: the Ronceverte River Festival and Greenbrier County Adopt-A-Cop. Ben is actively involved with Sinks Grove Baptist Church and enjoys singing gospel music at various church events, throughout Greenbrier Valley.
LILLIE KING
Lillie King is, currently, an entertainer at the Greenbrier Resort, singing five nights a week, while also a member of 3 local bands. Wherever you see Lillie, there’s a good chance that she’ll be singing! Lillie, previously, worked in Nashville as a songwriter. "Since being back home in West Virginia, I have worked at the Greenbrier Humane Society and continue to volunteer, there, to help in any way that I can. No matter how much I love singing, my heart is always with animals. My mother is my biggest inspiration, when it comes to community involvement and helping others." She is a hospice nurse and serves on the Board of the Greenbrier Humane Society.
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"I could not be more honored to take this new journey to help the United Way in their fundraising efforts and work with the other Young Leaders to make our community shine even brighter."
Van JAMES
Van James graduated from Greenbrier East High School and attended Bluefield State College, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Van is, currently, the sales manager at Factory Tire in Ronceverte.
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"I coached T-ball last spring and am currently on the Board of Directors for The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce. My wife, Amanda, and I feel very fortunate to be working in Greenbrier Valley. There is no better place to raise a family! Our daughter, Landry, is 9 years-old and our son, Guy, is 4 years-old. We have two Irish Doodles, Birdie & Bunny. When we get a free day as a family, we enjoy hitting the ski slopes or sneaking away to hit a few balls at the golf course with dad."
MissY BOGGS
Missy Boggs has a Bachelors in Accounting from Bluefield State, and a Masters in Business Administration from WVU. Missy is currently working on a Doctoral degree in Accounting at Liberty University. "Passing the CPA exam and starting my own practice 25 years ago is one of my most proud achievements. I have been married for 23 years, and my husband and I have 3 kids, ages 21, 18, and 11."
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"I am involved in many non-profit organizations. I have always helped with any school and sports functions for my kids. I, basically, never say no to anything. My goal, as a Young Leader, is to provide a fun and successful fundraising event for my community, and to help the other members of this group in any way that I can."
Andrew PAYNE
Andrew Payne attended Washington and Lee University and graduated with a Bachelor of Economics Degree. "I am grateful and honored to be selected as a Young Leader for the 2024/25 Campaign! I am excited to meet many new people throughout the community, and I look forward to hosting my first fundraiser. My wife of three years, Sydney Payne, won an award for raising the most money as a Young Leader two years ago and I am on a mission to make her proud."
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Andrew and his wife, Sydney, recently welcomed their baby son and could not be more excited. "My parents have retired to Greenbrier County, and it’s so great to have so much family around us."
clair ROSE
Clair Rose graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene from West Virginia University. She lives in Pocahontas County and is an owner of Mosesso Agency, representing American National Insurance, in Marlinton. Clair is excited to be a Young Leader and support the people of Greenbrier Valley, who are in-need.
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Clair's community involvement includes: Secretary of Little Levels Heritage Fair committee, Board member of The Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce, Supporter of Pocahontas County 4H & FFA, Pocahontas County Athletics, and various other community groups. Clair and her husband have two children. "We are lucky enough to be surrounded by both of our families and spend most of our time between them and our beef cattle farm. We live a simple life and try to keep a healthy balance between family time and owning and operating two businesses. We enjoy attending local community events and never seem to run out of fun things to do near home sweet home!"
Mary Catherine
tuckwiller
Mary Catherine Tuckwiller (or MC), a Lewisburg transplant, calls West Virginia her chosen home. A graduate of Roanoke College and the WVU College of Law, MC practices education law with Dinsmore & Shohl. She is, also, President of Greenbrier Electro-Motive, VA, Inc., an industrial machinery rental company based in Alta. Previously, she was counsel to the West Virginia Department of Education.
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Mary Catherine cares deeply about having integrated into the Lewisburg community and believes becoming involved in philanthropy is one of the most important ways to make a place become a home. Among her service, she is President of the Board of Trustees of Greenbrier Community School, and serves on the boards of Communities in Schools of Greenbrier County, Carnegie Hall of West Virginia, and the Child and Youth Advocacy Center.
