Lori Rea has spent the last few years serving constituents from all walks of life—as a Bed & Breakfast owner in Shepherdstown to her current position as Executive Director of the Gateway New Economy Council where she serves the Eastern Panhandle region that includes Jefferson, Berkeley & Morgan counties. Whether she was working to protect Shepherdstown park & recreational resources, fighting for economic development, or creating ways to get more certified teachers in our classrooms, Lori has built a reputation as a consensus builder who delivers results.
She chaired the Reach To Teach program, which allows professionals without an education degree to transition into certified educators, and co-sponsored the three annual Eastern Panhandle Economic Outlook Conferences to keep realtors and the business community informed about out economic future. Using her relationships with the business community and her experience as Shepherd University guest lecturer, Lori hosted the annual Business & Economics Student Reception as well as an annual Graduation Dinner. These events have helped successful business leaders mentor senior college students into securing local jobs.
In addition to her work to secure a Safe Routes To School grant for elementary and middle schools, Lori also contributed
to a Technical Assistance grant request with the National Parks Service to preserve open space and protect both our river frontage
and the environment. For her leadership and knowledge, she received the distinction of presenting the Eastern Panhandle Economic Development
Policy Position Paper to our federal delegation.
When West Virginia needed to find a way to promote business development, Rea worked
as part of a statewide team to create the West Virginia Angel Network in order to make seed stage funding available to new businesses.
Her 2009 educational grant request hopes to gain the investment of private foundation dollars into college awareness education for
middle school students and their families.
Today Lori is working with Shepherd University administration to keep West Virginia moving forward with renewable energy resources that will grow business opportunities, and promote alternative energy resources.
