85th Mountain State Forest Festival Assistant Directors announced
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ELKINS -- Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Jon Morgan announces the appointment of the Queen's Department Director, Deputy Director, and the Assistant Directors for the 85th MSFF.
Coordinating this year's MSFF will be Queen's Department Director Megan Casto; Deputy Director Peggy Phillips; and Assistant Directors Anthony Bates, Nathaniel Bonnell, Keith Corley, Zach Elbon, Tracy Gooden, Amanda Jones, Whitney Morris, Todd Riggleman, Brian Romero, Jeff Skidmore, Jodie Varner and Karrah Washington.
Megan Casto will be serving her first year as the Director of the Queen's Department. She will lead the planning, coordinating, and delivering of all activities for the Royal Court of the 85th MSFF. Last year, Casto served as an Assistant for the Queen's Department. She and her family have been actively involved with the MSFF for many years.
Casto has volunteered on many committees, including Princess Orientation; Minor Court; Princess Ambassador; Window Decorating; and Pet Show. She was a Flower Girl in the 1995 MSFF and was a Maid of Honor in the 2008 MSFF. Her husband, Dusty, was a Trumpeteer for the MSFF from 1998-2000. Casto and her husband have two daughters, Callie and Everly. Callie served as a Scepter Bearer in the 2019 MSFF. Casto is employed as an accountant at Woodford Oil Company.
Peggy Phillips returns as the Deputy Director for the 85th MSFF. Phillips previously served four years as Queen's Department Director and one year as a Queen's Department Assistant. Phillips has volunteered on several MSFF committees, including the Distinguished Guest Dinner and Queen's Ball Committees; the Band Field Show Committee; Poker-run; Golf Tournament; Banjos, Burgers, and Beer MSFF; Autumn Ales Beer MSFF; Craft Beerfest; and was a chaperone for the Minor Court school tours.
As Deputy Director, she will lead the planning and coordination of the MSFF's Safety and Security; Public Affairs and Communications; and assist with Irish Road Bowling and the official MSFF Program. Phillips has been employed by the United States Department of Justice since 1995 and works as a Management and Program Analyst.
A member of the Phillips Chapel United Methodist Church, she and her husband, Junior, are the parents of Hannah and Michael. Hannah served as a Flower Girl in the 77th MSFF and most recently, as a Maid of Honor in the 84th MSFF. The Phillips family have been active volunteers with the MSFF for many years.
Anthony "Tony" Bates returns for his sixth year as an Assistant Director. He is employed by the United States Department of Justice. He is actively involved with the WVSSAC Registered Basketball Officials and is the President of the North Central Officials Association. He is a member of the Phillips Chapel United Methodist Church.
He and his wife, Krista, have three daughters, Haley, Presley and Ella. Presley served as a Flower Girl in the 2012 MSFF and was a Jester in the 2014 MSFF. Tony has volunteered and been responsible for coordinating the Strongest Man/Woman in the Forest Competition; Lumberjack Contest; Archery Shoot; Mini Horse Show; Vendor Row; and Sanitation. For the 85th MSFF, Bates has been tasked with managing the Cornhole Tournament; Vendor Row; Grounds; and Sanitation.
Nathaniel Bonnell will serve his second year as an Assistant Director. He is the President and CEO of Citizens Bank of West Virginia and Citizens Financial Corp. Bonnell holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Randolph County Development Authority, Rotary Club of Elkins, the West Virginia Bankers Association and the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation. In addition, Bonnell is a member of the Board of Trustees of Davis & Elkins College. He is a member of American Institute of CPAs, West Virginia Society of CPAs and the Young Presidents' Organization. Bonnell is a 2014 graduate of Leadership West Virginia.
Married to Christina Bonnell, he resides in Elkins with their two daughters, Braelyn and Kelsea. This year, he is tasked with managing and overseeing MSFF Plaques; 10K Race; Cross Country Race; Muzzleloading Competition; Official Vehicles; and assisting with the City Park.
Keith Corley will begin his first year as an Assistant Director for the 85th MSFF. He is the Detachment Commander at the Philippi Detachment of the West Virginia State Police. Corley and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Alexa and Kendall. Beth was a Flower Girl in the 1976 MSFF and a Princess in the 1989 MSFF. Kendall was a Jester in the 83rd MSFF.
Corley is also employed as a Funeral Home Assistant at Tomblyn Funeral Home, and he and his wife own Tumble Time Gymnastics. This year, his events include the Kickoff Party; Information Booth; Craft Show; and assisting with the Grand Feature Parade.
Zach Elbon will be serving his third year as an Assistant Director. He graduated from WVU with a BS degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering with a minor in Geology. Elbon currently works for Profrac Services as a Support Engineer. He also owns and operates a local sign shop, Emblazon Sign Company in Elkins.
Elbon, along with his wife, father and stepmother, started Noble Investments Limited, which is a commercial real estate development business focused on improving commercial real estate in Randolph County to promote local business opportunities. He is on the board of directors of the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce.
Elbon and his wife, Megan, have volunteered for the MSFF in numerous events and committees including the Golf Tournament; Grand Feature Parade; Chili Cook-Off; City Park; Irish Road Bowling; Scrapbook; Princess Ambassador Program; and the Queen's Ball and Distinguished Guest Dinner Committees. His wife Megan, served as a Flower Girl in the 2001 MSFF and a Maid of Honor in 2012 MSFF. They have one daughter, Ella. This year, Elbon will be managing the Golf Tournament; City Park; and Irish Road Bowling events.
Tracy Gooden will begin her fifth year as an Assistant Director. Gooden is employed as a Data Associate for Vizient Inc. She and her husband Ron have one daughter, Abigale Sicca, who served as a princess in the 80th MSFF.
Gooden is a member of the Randolph County CLIMB Mentorship Program. She and her family attend the First Baptist Church in Elkins.
Gooden previously served as Director of the Queen's Department and on numerous MSFF committees including the Distinguished Guest Dinner and Queen's Ball; Downtown Window Decorations; the Country Music Show and Tailgate Party; Crafts and More; and Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This year, she will lead the coordinating and planning for the Children's Parade; Photography Exhibit and Photo Contest; and Kids Day in the Park.
Amanda Jones will serve her fourth year as an Assistant Director. Jones is the Chief Medical Officer and Family Nurse Practitioner at Valley Health Care, Inc. She and her husband, JW, have one daughter, Kourtney, who was a Flower Girl in the 2015 MSFF. Jones serves as Board President for Mountain Living.
She has assisted and sponsored numerous MSFF events over the years. This year, she will be responsible for the Bass Tournament; Children's Day in the Park; Hospitality Tent; and Safety and Security.
Whitney Morris returns for her second year as an Assistant Director. Morris also served three years as an Assistant with the Queen's Department. She has volunteered with the MSFF in multiple capacities and served on many committees over the years including the Children's Parade; Band Field Show; and Grand Feature Parade.
Her husband, Robbie Morris, was Director General of the 84th MSFF. Whitney is the Controller at Woodford Oil Company and lives in Elkins with her husband and two stepdaughters, Elin and Tinley. Elin was a Flower Girl in the 2018 MSFF. For this year, she will be responsible for Opening and Closing Ceremonies; the Distinguished Guest Dinner; and the Queen's Ball.
Jeff Skidmore will return to the MSFF for his sixth year as an Assistant Director. He has been employed by the Randolph County Assessor's office for 26 years; has been involved with Elkins Raceway for over 40 years; and is currently the media director, and director of Competition placement.
Skidmore has two nieces, Jackie Skidmore-Teter and Samantha Skidmore, who have both served as princesses in the 2002 and 2006 MSFFs, respectively.
Skidmore has previously volunteered for Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs and has served on numerous MSFF committees including the Lumberjack Competition; Country Music Show; Gospel Show; Information Booth; ATV Race; Distinguished Guest Dinner and Queens Ball; Jack Basil Field Show; Band Recruitment for the Grand Feature Parade; ROTC units; Organizing Flags and Banners for the MSFF; The Indianapolis Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team; and many other events. This year, Skidmore will be overseeing the Downtown Stage events as well as the Lights and Sound for all MSFF events.
Todd Riggleman will return for his 13th year as an Assistant Director. He is the manager of distribution forestry with Mon Power, a FirstEnergy Company. Riggleman and his wife, Robin, have two sons, Garrett and Kyle, as well as a three-year old granddaughter Hadley. Kyle served as Train Bearer in the 2009 MSFF. His sister, Kelly Gilbert, was a Jester in the 1981 MSFF.
Riggleman attends Woodford Memorial United Methodist Church. He has served as a volunteer with the Elks Babe Ruth Baseball League for more than 14 years and announces sporting events at Elkins High School.
Riggleman has worked on numerous events including the Lumberjack Competition; Strongman Competition; Information Booth; Bass Tournament; Flags and Banners; Fireman's Parade; Forestry and Wood Products; Pet Show; Photography Exhibit; Miniature Horse Show; ATV Race; Poker Run; Vendors; Sanitation; Primitive Campers; and Grounds. For the 2023 MSFF, he will coordinate Flags and Banners; Fireman's Parade; Grounds; The Indianapolis Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team; and Primitive Campers.
Brian Romero will begin his second year as an Assistant Director. He works for The Corsi Group as the Director of Manufacturing. Romero and his wife, Beverly, have one son, Josh, and one daughter, Macie. Macie was a Jester in the 82nd MSFF in 2018.
Romero is a board member of the Elkins Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and an assistant wrestling coach of the Davis & Elkins wrestling team. Keeping in alignment with last year, Romero will manage and oversee the Forestry Exhibits; Strongman Competition; and the Lumberjack Competition.
Jodie Varner will return for her fifth year as an Assistant Director. Varner is a resident of Beverly. She is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and is employed by the Randolph County Board of Education as a teacher.
Varner has served on a wide variety of MSFF committees to include Queen's Department committees; Princess Orientation; High School Cross Country Meet; 10K/5K Race and Kids Fun Run; Grand Feature Parade; Heat in the Street Chili Cook-off; Golf Tournament; Kids Fest; and Pet Show. She served as a Princess in 1997 MSFF and her niece, Shay Teter Hayes, was the Crown Bearer in the 1997 MSFF.
She is a member of Beverly Women's Club, serves on the WV 4-H All-Star Executive Committee, WVU 4-H Extension volunteer and State 4-H Camp counselor, Friends of Camp Pioneer Board of Directors President, and is a past member of the Kump Education Center Board of Directors. Varner is a member of Summit Church Elkins. This year, Varner will coordinate the Grand Feature Parade; Pet Show; and Children's Fest.
Karrah Washington will serve her second year as an Assistant Director. She is employed as the Marketing Director/Office Manager for Nikki Rogers and Devon Rogers State Farm.
She and her husband, Brandon, have one son, Brayton, and one daughter, Braelynn. Washington was a Princess in the 2008 MSFF. She is the past Executive Director for the Barbour County Senior Center Inc. DBA Here and There Transit and is very active within her community.
In the past, Washington has volunteered with Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as the Distinguished Guest Dinner and Queen's Ball Committees. This year, she will be responsible for the Downtown Window Decorations; the Official MSFF Program; Highland Dance; and Band Field Show.
Jon Morgan states, "I'm proud to be working alongside this group of hardworking and dedicated Assistant Directors. Their love and commitment for the MSFF shows in their work and I am thankful for everything they have done and continue to do to ensure the success of the 85th MSFF!"
The 85th edition of the MSFF will be celebrated Sept. 30 through Oct. 8. More information is available by calling the office at 304-636-1824 or by visiting www.forestfestival.com.