Entrepreneur, civic leader, and sitting mayor brings executive and economic development experience to statewide workforce organization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026
WEST VIRGINIA — Generation West Virginia (GWV) today named Robbie Skinner as its new Executive Director. A lifelong West Virginian and current Mayor of Buckhannon, Skinner brings a rare combination of municipal leadership, entrepreneurship, and economic development experience to one of the state’s leading workforce organizations.
As mayor, Skinner has led infrastructure investments, community revitalization, and economic development initiatives that have positioned Buckhannon as one of Appalachia’s most forward-thinking small cities. His professional background spans banking, insurance, real estate development, and business consulting, and he founded The Squire on Main, a fine jewelry store in downtown Buckhannon. He has served on the Executive Board of the West Virginia Municipal League and worked alongside policymakers and regional partners on initiatives supporting municipal growth.
As Executive Director, Skinner will lead GWV’s efforts to expand workforce development programs, deepen employer partnerships, and connect talent to opportunity across the state.
“West Virginia’s greatest asset is its people,” said Skinner. “Generation West Virginia has built a powerful platform for connecting talent with opportunity, and I’m honored to lead the next phase of that work. Our state is evolving fast — and so is the opportunity to ensure people can build meaningful careers here.”
Kel Cecil, Board Chair of Generation West Virginia, said Skinner’s combination of private sector expertise and civic leadership made him the right choice at a critical moment. “Robbie understands how West Virginia communities work from the inside out,” said Cecil. “That kind of ground-level experience — combined with his ability to build partnerships across sectors — is exactly what this organization needs to move to the next level.”
Under Skinner’s leadership, GWV will expand its key initiatives, including the annual Pathways to Progress Conference, widely recognized as West Virginia’s premier workforce development convening; the Career Connector program, which helps employers across the state identify and retain emerging talent; the WV Connected Communities Network, supporting broadband access and digital infrastructure in local economies; and the Generation WV Fellowship, a leadership development initiative for the next generation of West Virginia leaders.
Skinner is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he earned a B.A. in Public Relations with concentrations in Marketing, Political Science, and Business Administration. He has been named a “Young Gun” by West Virginia Executive magazine and “Citizen of the Year” by the Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce.
About Generation West Virginia:
Generation West Virginia equips young West Virginians with key skills and career opportunities, ensuring their ability to thrive in the Mountain State. By connecting young adults with resources, opportunities, and each other through their workforce development initiatives, GWV is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous West Virginia for generations to come. To learn more, visit www.generationwv.org.