Lori Miller SmithMembership ChairOffice Manager, Independent Oil and Gas Association of West VirginiaLori Miller Smith brings a wealth of experience to her work at the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, Inc., also known as IOGAWV. She came to IOGAWV in 1995 after nearly twenty years of service to Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. At Cabot, she was the Regional Administrator, reporting directly to the Regional Vice President, and managed all office functions. Currently, she is the Office Manager and administers the IOGAWV insurance program, which, with her guidance and leadership, has grown the program into Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia’s largest fully funded insurance program in West Virginia. Lori plans and directs the association’s yearly meetings and is responsible for all of IOGAWV’s office and business functions. She is a graduate and member of the “Leadership West Virginia Program” for select business professionals in West Virginia. She graduated cum laude and first in her class from West Virginia State University with an undergraduate degree in marketing, which she completed while being employed full-time and raising a family. Outside her duties at IOGAWV, she serves on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Society of Association Executives and the Women’s Energy Network and is active in other civic organizations. She is a charter member of the West Virginia Desk and Derrick Club and was also a charter member and past president of the Mountain State Desk and Derrick Club. She is a past Board Member of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. Outside of her professional interests, she loves to travel and loves camping, movies, music and reading, and enjoys living in South Charleston with her family. She is married to Rick Smith and has two sons, Jason and Steven, two stepchildren, Courtney and Brandon and three grandchildren.
Rebekah HogueEvents ChairWest Virginia Oil and Natural Gas AssociationRebekah Hogue is happiest when she’s working to develop and execute a plan. That trait makes her a natural in her role as WVONGA’s Special Projects Coordinator. She joined the Association staff nearly six years ago, and has acquired a wealth of experience in event planning and management. Walt Disney once said, “There is no magic in magic, it’s all in the details”, and Rebekah embodies that belief. Her time spent at West Virginia Media, The State Journal and The Observer Reporter provided a great training prior to her joining the WVONGA team. Rebekah loves reading and traveling with her favorite companions, her son and husband.
Amanda WrightPrograms ChairAscent Consulting and Engineering, LLCAmanda Wright is a long-standing member of the Women’s Energy Network and a native of West Virginia. Wright has nearly 20 years’ experience within the Energy Sector within the Appalachian Basin. In 2020 Wright joined the fast-growing WV based engineering firm Ascent Engineering & Consulting. Wright has been employed by operators such as Mountain V Oil & Gas, Dominion Energy, CNX Gas, & Rice Energy. Over the years Wright has built strong lasting relationships within local regulatory agencies, community members, as well as neighboring companies. Wright received a BA degree from Salem International University in 2004 and earned her MBA with a focus on International Business from Salem International University in 2011. Wright is passionate about the many benefits that oil & gas development provides to the Appalachian Basin and abroad and she looks forward to continually educating others as well.