State Board
Read Aloud West Virginia’s Board of Directors supports and governs the organization by assisting in fundraising, establishing contacts, acting as ambassadors to the community, providing oversight of operations and finances, selecting and evaluating the executive director, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and evaluating the organization’s work and efficacy.
Erica Baumgras, Chair
Casey Willson, Vice Chair
Bob Pepper, Treasurer
Tom Tinder, Secretary
Dr. Kimberly Cross
Charlotte Dauphin
Denise Davenport
Monica DellaMea
Shante Ellis
Michael Kawash
Dr. Timothy LeFeber
Michael Proops
Elizabeth Spangler
Staff
Our staff of four maintain a state office which serves as a central contact point and provides consistent guidance to local chapters to ensure quality and consistency of programming. The state office also develops materials, maintains organizational data, oversees communications and development of the organization, provides speakers to community organizations and holds an annual conference to encourage collaboration among local chapters.
Dawn Miller
Executive Director
Dawn worked for most of her life in journalism at the Charleston Gazette-Mail, volunteering with Read Aloud WV on the side for over 20 years. As a longtime classroom reader, former board member, and seasoned reporter on educational matters, Dawn is an experienced literacy advocate with innovative ideas and leadership.
Marsha Hoyer
Data Manager
Marsha is technically a part-time team member, but you wouldn’t know it from how much she accomplishes! Marsha manages and coordinates our vast network of volunteers, while also organizing and overseeing the execution of all book distribution efforts.
Joe Severino
Chapter Service Manager
Joe is a West Virginia University graduate from Elkins, West Virginia. He is a former reporter for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Joe helps our local county chapters with book distributions, events, and other kinds of community engagement. He also handles the State Office’s communications and outreach.
Elena B. Compton
Development & Grants manager
Elena is a South Charleston, West Virginia native. She received her bachelor’s in social work from Marshall University. Her passion for education and increasing literacy rates in the state is what drove her to get involved with Read Aloud WV by serving on the Kanawha County Read Aloud Chapter Board. Now, working as our Development and Grants Manager, she helps obtain funding that is used to further facilitate Read Aloud WV’s mission.
For any questions, feel free to write to stateoffice@readaloudwestvirginia.org.
Submissions or questions concerning the Read Aloud West Virginia Newsletter or the web site may be sent to newsletter@readaloudwestvirginia.org.