West Virginia Day, held on June 20 every year, celebrates the anniversary of the Mountain…
Public Trust, Civic Engagement, and the Future of West Virginia: A Discussion With Secretary of State Kris Warner
In an age shaped by innovation, integrity, and rapid change, civic leadership matters more than ever.
So, what does it mean to serve in today’s world?
That question anchored Brad D. Smith’s recent conversation with West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner. As part of Warner’s “Just Three Questions” series — which centers on resources and programs that support small businesses and economic growth throughout the Mountain State — Brad and the Secretary of State discussed public trust, civic engagement, and the role of entrepreneurship in shaping West Virginia’s future.
Elevating Public Service Through Entrepreneurship
During the interview, Brad D. Smith and Secretary of State Kris Warner highlighted the vital role small businesses play in strengthening West Virginia’s economy and civic life. Their conversation emphasized how entrepreneurship can be a driving force for public service and community leadership.
As a longtime advocate for entrepreneurship, Brad discussed how he sees this momentum as essential to West Virginia’s civic health. His focus has been on creating environments where founders, builders, and doers can thrive both economically, and as community leaders. He outlined programs like Marshall’s design thinking education, the iCenter, and the university’s innovation district, which shift mindsets and expand access to resources. These tools help individuals build businesses and create lasting impact in the Mountain State.
Touching on the surge in entrepreneurial activity across West Virginia, Brad shared that 80% of net new jobs in the state come from small businesses and startups, not large corporations. As West Virginia continues to diversify its economy, small businesses remain at the heart of its progress.
Extending the Impact: From Campus to Community
While the interview focused on Marshall University’s role, Brad’s commitment to entrepreneurship goes beyond higher education. Across the state, a growing number of programs are helping to activate that same spirit in local communities — ensuring that opportunity reaches more people, in more places.
In April 2025 alone, more than 1,300 new businesses were registered in West Virginia — a reflection of that entrepreneurial momentum. Programs like Ascend WV, which invites remote workers to live and contribute in West Virginia, and First Ascent, a similar program geared toward recent Mountain State college graduates, are examples of that mission in action.
Both programs are supported by the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, which Brad co-founded with his wife, Alys Smith. Through Wing 2 Wing, they continue to champion initiatives that lower barriers to opportunity, elevate local talent, and showcase all that West Virginia has to offer.
These efforts reinforce the core message of Brad’s interview: that entrepreneurship, when paired with civic purpose, can transform lives and communities alike.
Building Civic Capacity Through Education
The conversation also spotlighted the role of higher education in preparing future leaders. At Marshall University, Brad has emphasized the importance of aligning classroom learning with real-world experience — particularly in service, leadership, and innovation.
By nurturing civic-minded problem solvers, universities can play a transformative role in strengthening local economies. With a belief that students should graduate with knowledge, and with the confidence and tools to lead change, Brad continues to invest in initiatives that help communities transition from talent attraction to business creation.
Civic engagement, economic development, and education are deeply connected — and West Virginia is proving what’s possible when those forces come together. Brad’s conversation with Secretary Warner serves as a timely reminder that the future of the state depends on leadership at every level.
As Secretary Warner put it, “Public trust isn’t something you’re given. It’s something you earn — and keep — through transparency, accountability, and service.”
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: Championing West Virginia’s Entrepreneurs | Brad D. Smith on “Just Three Questions”