Board of Directors
The BridgeValley Foundation leadership consist of a group of local industry and community leaders who volunteer their time to help BridgeValley build a brighter future for the places we call home.
Mr. Rick Atkinson, - Term expires: June 30, 2027
Rick serves as the City Manager for the City of South Charleston and began volunteering on the Foundation Board in 2018.
Kelli Bailey - Term expires: June 30, 2027
Kelli Bailey is an accomplished nurse executive with over 40 years of experience in
healthcare and more than 30 years in leadership roles. She currently serves as the
Vice President of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at WVU Medicine – Thomas Hospitals,
where she oversees nursing operations, quality and safety initiatives, and patient-centered
care across 37 departments. Kelli holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the
University of Charleston and is completing her Master of Science in Nurse Executive
Leadership at Chamberlain College of Nursing. She is a passionate advocate for clinical
excellence, staff development, and improving patient outcomes.
Charlie Bearse - Vice Chair - Term expires: June 30, 2027
Charlie Bearse joined Blackhawk in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bearse has 38 years of operations experience in Central Appalachian coal mining. Starting as an hourly underground miner, he has developed extensive operating experience in underground mining, surface mining, coal preparation and operations support. Driving improvements in safety and operations has been a primary career focus for Mr. Bearse. Prior to joining Blackhawk, Mr. Bearse spent most of the previous 25 years managing mining operations for Massey Energy and its successor, Alpha Natural Resources. Mr. Bearse is a graduate of Michigan Technological University, where he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering. He is a certified mine foreman and mine rescue responder
Ashley N. Deem - Chair - Term expires: June 30, 2027
Ashley N. Deem currently serves as the Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Prior to law school, Ashley started a public relations company which consulted on various non-profit and issue advocacy campaigns, as well as political campaigns at the state and federal levels. Following law school, she clerked for Chief Justice Elizabeth D. Walker of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. She then entered private practice where she handled significant trial preparation in product liability cases all over the country. With the creation of the state’s new Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA), Ashley felt compelled to return to public service and has been integral in its implementation and execution.
With a deep commitment to education, Ashley was appointed by Governor James C. Justice to serve on the Board of Governors at BridgeValley Community & Technical College, where she served as chairman of the board. Ashley currently serves as an adjunct professor of legal studies and sits on the BridgeValley Foundation Board.
Ashley resides in South Charleston with her fiancé, Greg, stepchildren, Navy & Abe, and world’s most wonderful goldendoodle, Maggie.
Ashley is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Mr. R. Charles Dusic III, CPA (inactive) - Term expires: June 30, 2028
Mr. Dusic joined the West Virginia Regional Technology Park as its COO/CFO in December
2021. In his role he is responsible for all park daily operations, including oversite
of the operation staff and all financial, compliance, reporting and human resources
matters.
Mr. Dusic has multi-industry experience along with comprehensive financial expertise
(Financial Planning and Analysis, Reporting, Accounting, Budgeting, Growth Management,
etc.), his leadership provides a breadth of experience across all aspects of business
including HR, IT/Technology, Risk Management, Pricing & Contract Negotiation, Acquisitions
and Project Management.
Mr. Dusic previously served as the Chief Financial Officer for West Virginia Media
Holdings, LLC through the fill lifecycle of the organization from start-up, capital
raise, acquisitions, centralizing operations, and growth management culminating in
the successful sale of the company to Nexstar Broadcasting.
Mr. Dusic’s professional experience includes over 10 years in public accounting working
with clients in multiple industries, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Advantage Valley and has previously
served on the Board of Directors for the Central West Virginia Airport Authority,
the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and as Committee Chair for the Media Financial
Managers Association CFO Summit.
Mr. Christopher Grady - Term expires: June 30, 2027
Mr. Grady is a proud BridgeValley Community & Technical College alumnus who earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science for Web Design. While at BridgeValley, he served as Treasurer and later President of the Student Government Association for two years, representing students on the College's Board of Governors and the Advisory Council of Students.
Dr. Carl Kennedy - Term expires: June 30, 2028
Dr. Carl owns Kennedy Dental in Montgomery, WV. In addition to serving on the Foundation Board, he is actively involved in the communities of Montgomery and Smithers.
Susan Russell, MSN, RN, NE-BC, RN-BC - Term expires: June 30, 2028
Susan is the Director of Nursing Practice and Magnet® Recognition for Vandalia Health System – Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) in Charleston, West Virginia. She oversees the organization’s Magnet® Journey, as well as facilitates learning opportunities for nursing students and is a member of several local nursing schools’ advisory boards. Susan collaborates with managers and frontline nursing staff through shared governance on the development and maintenance of nursing policies/practices for the surveillance of clinical outcomes documentation group and nursing quality and safety. In addition to nursing policies, Susan works closely with the Pharmacy Directors on nursing drug diversion monitoring and reporting for the system.
Susan is the Immediate Past President for West Virginia Organization for Nursing Leadership
(WVONL), member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), American
Nurses Association
(ANA), and West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA). She is also a member of the CAMC
Federal Credit Union Board and has been the Board Chairperson since 2022. She has
worked with the CAMCFoundation on numerous events such as the Gala, the yearly Children’s
Golf Event, and the CAMC Foundation Employee Emergency Fund committee. Susan’s career
has spanned over 34 years in her various roles at CAMC.
Susan obtained her master's degree in nursing from Chamberlain University and holds two nursing certifications through ANCC.