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By SHELLEY HANSON
Jennifer Rohrig, 34, of Wheeling has been working to help existing businesses grow and attract new ones to the Mountain State for two years.
Rohrig is the regional manager of Business Retention and Expansion for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.
Rohrig said her job involves working as a liaison to state and local resources to help existing businesses and industries stay and grow in West Virginia. Her territory includes the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler.
"It's my job to get the right people together to make sure businesses and industries succeed," she said.
Rohrig said she does not have typical days at the office like some other jobs.
"My day is always different, which is one of the things I love about my job. I have the opportunity to learn about so many wonderful businesses and industries that are in our state and, particularly, in the Northern Panhandle," she said.
"I get to tour their operations, celebrate their successes, and help troubleshoot their challenges along with regional economic development organizations.
"I might spend one day on a plant floor getting a better understanding of the company's work, while another might involve showing a site to a prospective company.
"Some days I work to connect companies to our area's educational institutions or the state tax department. It all depends on what area companies need to stay here and grow here.
"I don't do anything alone -- it's all about facilitating connections, and I can't do that without great partners."
Rohrig said she has two mottos that she lives by. One is hanging in her office and reads, "Success is derived from execution. Not ideas." She said it reminds her to take action, follow through and "not to be content with foundationless talk."
"Lack of follow-through is one of the biggest issues I see plaguing today's society, and my goal is always to have my involvement bring progress to a project or situation," Rohrig said.
The second motto is something her mother always told her and that she lives by today: "Do the best you can, and don't worry about it."
"She said it to me before every game I played, test I took, presentation I gave, or interview I had, and it's how I measure my success each day," Rohrig said.
"If I did the best I could that day, and some days my best looks different than other days, then I've done all I can and I need to let it go."
Rohrig said she grew up in the Ohio Valley and she's always considered it home.
"It's important to me that I work with others to make it the best it can be. It's easy to sit back and complain, but I am inspired every day by the people who love this area and are doing amazing things in both the business and non-profit arenas," she said.
"I see non-profit leaders working to solve social problems. I get to learn firsthand about the successes area businesses are enjoying, and their excitement is infectious.
"I get to see the Ohio Valley for the first time all over again whenever we welcome new companies to tour the Northern Panhandle and they're awestruck by the area's natural beauty and the friendliness of its residents.
"I love the unique opportunities it affords both personally and professionally. You don't have to wait to make a difference."
Rohrig said one of the bright spots she sees in the valley is that young people are coming back.
"I see people realizing that West Virginia and the Ohio Valley are great places to live, to be involved, and to raise a family," she said.
"At the risk of sounding like an advertisement for the state, we have so much to offer just in the six counties I cover. We have a symphony, the state's only AZA-accredited zoo, museums, incredible parks, three colleges/universities and a community college with three campuses, an abundance of natural beauty, problem-solving nonprofits, an amazing local restaurant and entertainment scene, waterfront space, local vendors, historic buildings, innovative businesses and industry, and a legacy of hardworking, passionate, kind people.
"Not everything is perfect -- it isn't anywhere. But if you're complaining you're not paying attention to what we have going on around us, and if you have an idea on how to improve something, there are countless opportunities waiting for you to get involved."
Rohrig's advice to those just entering the workforce is to "take time to do the little things."
"Network, network, network -- even if it's uncomfortable at first. Make eye contact. Send handwritten thank you notes," she said.
"Listen more than you speak. Communicate effectively -- all the education and training in the world mean little if you can't share what you know with someone else.
"Soft skills are just as important -- if not more so -- than technical skills. Build a reputation of doing what you say you're going to do. Be kind."
Rohrig believes the field of economic development will continue to grow especially locally.
"The Ohio Valley is ripe with opportunity, and as we begin to see younger people stay here, or come back here, their vested interest in the area's success will propel the area forward," she said. "We have the elements to successfully recruit new businesses and help our existing businesses grow, and I'm inspired by those originally from the area who are coming back to reinvest in and reinvigorate the area alongside those who have continued to live here, work here, and advocate for the Ohio Valley.
"I'm hopeful that if we work together, we can share that story with the rest of the country and the world. West Virginia has international offices in Europe, Japan, and Taiwan, and our businesses are exporting to more than 140 countries.
"International interest is strong, and I think we're poised to capture that interest and turn it into tangible, good-paying, groundbreaking jobs."
Rohrig said in her professional life she is most proud of her passion and follow through she brings to her job.
"And I hope those who know me personally or have worked with me professionally will see and feel that in our interactions and our work together," she said.
Rohrig resides in Wheeling with her husband, Shawn, and their three "furkids" Reagan, Beagley and Oliver.
Some of the civic organizations she is involved with include the Junior League of Wheeling, Oglebay Museums Committee member, Youth Services System board member, the Marshall County Educational Foundation Inc. board member, Moundsville Rotary Club member, and the American Heart Association, Women for Economic Leadership Development and Leadership Wheeling.