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The Class of 2004 included Kathy G. Eddy, an accomplished CPA from
Parkersburg and recognized as one of the top female executives in the
nation; and Governor Cecil H. Underwood, who was elected as the state’s
youngest governor in 1956 and as the state’s most senior leader in 1996.
“We are proud to honor these outstanding West Virginians for their exemplary
accomplishments and for their unwavering loyalty to the state,” said Dr.
Hazel Palmer, President/CEO of the Alliance. “These outstanding leaders are
shining examples of the type of graduates produced by our state’s public
schools. This annual event is not only a celebration for the graduates
honored, but also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate West Virginia
public education.”
This year marks the sixth year that the Alliance has honored graduates of
West Virginia’s public schools.
 Kathy G.
Eddy, an accomplished CPA who is recognized as one of the top female
executives in the nation.
A native of Harrisville and a graduate of Harrisville High School, Ms. Eddy
earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Marshall University and became a
certified public accountant in 1978. Ms. Eddy is a shareholder in the
accounting corporation of McDonough, Eddy, Parsons & Baylous, A.C. in
Parkersburg.
Ms. Eddy served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for 2000-2001. In
addition, she has served the West Virginia Society of CPAs and the West
Virginia Board of Accountancy by holding all offices, including president of
both organizations. She now serves as a volunteer on several community
boards including Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital, Chamber of Commerce of the
Mid-Ohio Valley, and the Education Business Foundation of Wood County, Inc.
Ms. Eddy’s other accomplishments include: The Women of Excellence and
Leadership Lifetime Achievement award from the Parkersburg YWCA and Altrusa
International, the Marshall University Distinguished Alumni award, the West
Virginia Hospital Association Award of Governance, the West Virginia Society
of CPAs Distinguished Service award and the West Virginia Society of CPAs
Public Service Award in two different years.
 Governor
Cecil H. Underwood, served as the state's youngest governor and as the
state's most senior executive.
Governor Underwood was born in Josephs
Mills and graduated from Tyler County High School. He later earned a
Bachelor of Arts Degree from Salem College, a Master of Arts Degree from
West Virginia University, and has been awarded numerous honorary doctoral
degrees.
Governor Underwood taught high school in Pleasants County before entering
politics in 1945. He served six terms in the West Virginia House of
Delegates from 1945 to 1957, before being elected governor in 1956, as the
youngest person ever to hold the state’s highest office. He was re-elected
40 years later as the most senior governor in the history of the state.
In the four decades between elections, Governor Underwood provided
leadership in education as president of Bethany College and as president of
the National Association of State Councils on Vocational Education. He also
worked as an executive in both the coal and chemical industries. He provided
regional leadership as Chair of the Southern Growth Policies Board and the
Southern Regional Education Board. He currently serves on numerous
charitable foundations and boards.
Sponsors for this year’s event included: American Electric Power, Mylan
Charitable Foundation and Waco Oil & Gas Company, Inc. Table sponsors are
Arch Coal, Inc., Dominion Resources, Jim and Phyllis Cole, Pocahontas Land
Corporation, United Bank, Verizon, West Virginia Society of CPA’s,
Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital and Acordia. Half-table sponsors included
West Virginia University, Jackson Kelly PLLC, Azimuth Incorporated, Steptoe
& Johnson PLLC, HGO Technology, Thomas Wilkerson and L. Newton Thomas. |
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