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Keep up with the news, inspiring words and business insights that make Brad tick! From leadership lessons, news related to Brad’s work in academia and the latest updates from the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, think of this blog as a resource for learning and connection.

Brad. D. Smith Kicks Off the 2022–2023 Academic Year at Marshall University

September 12, 2022

Every year, Marshall University receives freshman students during its Week of Welcome (WoW). The purpose of the program is to give new students the opportunity to acclimate to the campus, college life and all things Marshall before the upperclassmen arrive. It is an immersive experience designed to educate students on important available resources, and help […]

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Brad. D. Smith Shares Five Reasons to Move to West Virginia

August 2, 2022

“I’m a boy from a small town in West Virginia who spent twenty two years dreaming of a way out and every day since looking for a way home,” Brad told Good Morning America on October 22, 2021. The segment focused on Ascend West Virginia — an initiative Brad started alongside his wife Alys, the […]

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Brad D. Smith Shares Tips on Balancing Work and Wellness Based on His Own Experiences

July 1, 2022

The last two years have seen a monumental shift in the work environment. With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic came a great migration — many employees packed up their desks and set up shop at home, diving headfirst into a professional ecosystem that the world had not yet seen before. Now, in 2022, […]

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Brad D. Smith on Leadership in the Modern Work Environment and His Recent Career Shift

June 16, 2022

Considering his notable tenure as a business leader in Silicon Valley, followers of Brad D. Smith’s professional career may have been surprised to see his path take a new direction in late 2021, leading him away from business and into academia. In January 2022, Brad was no longer just the former Intuit executive or the […]

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Brad D. Smith’s Perspective on Economic Developments in West Virginia

June 1, 2022

This year has already been an exciting one for economic development in West Virginia. In early January 2022, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced three pieces of significant economic news, marking what could be a turning point for the state’s economy and narrative. During this time, it was announced that Nucor Corporation, an industry leader […]

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Marshall University Honors Alys and Brad D. Smith and Others at Awards Banquet

May 10, 2022

Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association (MUAA) honored many notable alumni at the 83rd Alumni Awards Banquet on April 9. Brad D. Smith was honored with the university’s Distinguished Alumnus award while, Alys Smith, was selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award. The Distinguished Alumnus award and the […]

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Brad D. Smith Speaks to His New Role as President of Marshall University

December 2, 2021

“I am being called to follow my purpose,” Brad wrote in an inspired LinkedIn post on November 16, 2021. The purpose to which Brad is referring? Two and a half weeks prior to the post, on the morning of October 28, 2021, it was announced during a Marshall University Board of Governors meeting that Brad […]

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Brad D. Smith Shares His Favorite Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso

October 7, 2021

When you think about career development, personal growth or leadership, your mind might automatically jump to thoughts of college courses, training seminars or management books. But the truth is, inspiring leadership lessons don’t have to come from an online course complete with a downloadable certificate, or from pages that are catalogued under 303.34 (“leadership”) in […]

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Engaging Youth Outdoors with the Science Adventure School

August 19, 2021

One of the driving goals behind the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC) is to expand outdoor educational opportunities. This means helping kids step away from screens and inspiring them to get outdoors, instead. At the OEDC, we know just how much West Virginia’s great outdoors has to offer and we want […]

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Brad D. Smith Discusses Ascend West Virginia on NPR’s “All Things Considered” Program

August 5, 2021

On May 11, 2021, on an NPR “All Things Considered” segment titled “Pennies From (Almost) Heaven: Get Paid To Move To West Virginia,” hosts Alisa Chang and Mary Louise Kelly discussed Brad D. Smith’s Ascend West Virginia program. The episode included some recorded quotes from Brad, as well as quotes from Danny Twilley from West […]

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Discussing the Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative with Positively West Virginia Podcast

July 29, 2021

On April 9, 2021, Danny Twilley and Paris Winfrey appeared on the Positively West Virginia podcast to discuss the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC) with co-hosts Jim Matuga and Frank Vitale. Danny is the Associate Dean for the OEDC and Paris is the Program Coordinator. Both individuals were excited to share […]

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Recent Wing 2 Wing Foundation Activities

July 22, 2021

The Wing 2 Wing Foundation focuses on supporting accessible education to instill capabilities and skills needed to participate and compete in the digital world. Wing 2 Wing primarily operates in the Appalachian Region, where technological changes have created upheavals in the social and work lives of residents and youth.  Here are some of the most […]

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