West Virginia Executive Spring 2017 | Page 67

An RCBI instructor assesses a student as she uses a micrometer as part of her pre-apprenticeship through Step Up for Women. the lives and careers of employees as well as how they enhance the companies who employ them.” Supported by a five-year, $4.9 million award from the DOL, RCBI’s Apprenticeship Works initiative assists manufacturers in West Virginia and across the country in establishing registered apprenticeships for a variety of occupations, including machin- ists, maintenance technicians, press operators, 3-D printing technicians and robotics technicians. West Virginia Energy Expo Welcomes New Partners for 2017 Event The West Virginia Energy Expo has partnered with the West Virginia Department of Commerce and the West Virginia Economic Development Council (WVEDC), both of which are advocates JOE EDDY for economic growth and opportunity in the state. These part- nerships reinforce the value of the expo and show the state’s commitment to the energy industry and others that benefit from it, including manufacturing, construction, trade and education. This year has already shown promising growth in both national and state energy activity, increasing the demand for local energy sources and the businesses that support them. The Energy Expo is committed to educating, integrating, developing and enhancing businesses for the future of West Virginia energy and working to bridge the gap between traditional fossil fuels and growing alternative fuels. “Where coal, oil and gas and alternatives once operated and existed completely separately, the vision of this effort is to bring statewide resources and these sectors together to learn from one another, grow stronger and prosper well into the future,” says Robbie Baylor, executive director of the Preston County Economic Devel- opment Authority and president of the WVEDC. “It is sure to be a can’t-miss event for all energy-related companies in the region.” The West Virginia Energy Expo is a one-day business trade- show geared toward the growth and development of the energy industry and servicing companies. Formerly the West Virginia Oil and Gas Expo, the event has progressed to incorporate all local resources found in the state. The event will be held in Morgantown on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Elite Coal Services Completes Expansion Elite Coal Services, a contract labor provider specializing in the coal industry, is pleased to announce the completion of its recent expansion projects. DAVID MCKINLEY Congratulations Joe Eddy and David McKinley on Winning The 2017 Sharp Shooters Award! From Your Friends at WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM S P R I N G 2 017 65