Changes in Leadership at NBAC

Dear Fellow Brownfielders,

In 2021, the Northern WV Brownfields Assistance Center is looking forward to exciting projects, expanded programs, and new direction. Effective January 15, I am stepping down as Director of the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center at WVU. 

It has been quite an adventure since I became the Center’s founding Director in 2006. I am proud of the brownfield redevelopment that I have been a part of across the state.  At last count, my team and I have collaborated on revitalization projects that have attracted over $100 million dollars in federal brownfields grants, private foundation funding, and private investments.  During my tenure, I was able to launch many successful redevelopment initiatives including the WVU BAD Buildings Program, the FOCUS WV Program, and the Downtown Appalachia Program. I have advocated for rural brownfields and projects across WV before Congress and to local City Councils, Economic Development Agencies, and community development stakeholders.  Always eager to jump into a new project, I helped set up the West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation (WVLSC), a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to promote sustainable economic development by facilitating the reuse of commercial and industrial sites and providing long-term management of legacy environmental concerns.  Nothing gave me greater joy than working on the projects that “couldn’t be done”.    

I have enjoyed working with you all over the last 14 ½ years.  Your collaboration, professional guidance, and friendship helped make me excited to come to work every day – with the possible exception of EPA grant deadline days.  Thank you for all of your efforts to make positive change in your communities and your willingness to look at industrial legacy sites with a new perspective. 

I’m excited to share that I will be taking on new challenges in site redevelopment as the Chief Operating Officer of Raze International, Inc. In this new role, I will focus on strategic business development, and providing land development solutions to public and private clients.

The leadership of the Center will be in the capable hands of Acting Director Carrie Staton to continue the impactful community and economic redevelopment work at the Brownfields Assistance Center.  The team at the Center is strong and the Assistance provided by the Center will continue to be top-notch. 

My time at the Center taught me that vision, persistence, and enthusiasm can take you farther than you thought you could go.  Having a vision brings clarity to your purpose and direction.  Persistence toward that vision builds relationships and momentum.  Enthusiasm is a choice and can be difficult in hard times. But at the end of the day – always choose to love the adventure. 

Thank you for being part of my brownfields adventure.  I look forward to seeing all of you on future adventures.

Best regards,
Patrick