EASTERN PANHANDLE, W.Va. — Some familiar faces have been tapped for the West Virginia First Foundation’s inaugural Region 2
Regional Expert Panel.
The panel represents Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson, Pendleton and Morgan
Counties.
A press release from the WVFF explains, “These local leaders will serve as key advisors in shaping WVFF’s efforts to prevent
substance use disorder, support recovery, and save lives across the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas.”
The Region 2 Panel includes seven experts, each representing a distinct Area of Expertise critical to addressing the opioid
epidemic:
Region 2 – Regional Expert Panel Members:
Prevention – Melody Stotler
Treatment (including Mental Health and Pharmacology) — Madison Humerick
Recovery/Lived Experience — Stephanie Stout
Systems of Care, Health Policy, and Management
(including Finance) — Angela Gray
Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems — Cindy Largent-Hill
First Responders — Dean Olack
Corrections and Reentry — Darren Taylor
Regional Expert Panel members were nominated by Board Members serving each region and
approved by the full Board of Directors.
“The panels will serve as vital local advisors, coordinating data collection, reviewing grant proposals, and offering region-specific
recommendations to ensure community voices shape funding decisions.”
“One of the first tasks of the Regional Expert Panels will be to nominate subject matter experts to
serve on the State Expert Panel for each Area of Expertise. The State Panel will review regional
findings, ensure alignment with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and provide
strategic recommendations to the Board to inform statewide funding priorities,” according to the press release.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey is chairman of the West Virginia First Foundation Board of Directors.
He said, “This is an important milestone in our mission to empower communities and deliver on the
promise of the opioid settlement,. We are incredibly grateful to these appointed experts for
stepping forward to serve. Their wisdom and lived experience will help shape the path ahead.”
“In Region 2, we’re proud to welcome a panel of individuals who not only bring deep expertise,
but also a personal understanding of the challenges our communities face,” said Tim Czaja,
WVFF Elected Board Member for Region 2. “Their voices will help make sure local perspectives
are part of decisions, so the funding truly fits what people in our region need.”
View the full list of appointed Expert Panel members across all six regions.
For details on the Expert Panel Policy, view Article C(9) of the Memorandum of Understanding.
About West Virginia First Foundation: The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) is a nonprofit organization
established to address the opioid crisis and its lasting impact across the state. Created under the terms of the West
Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), WVFF was designed to receive and distribute opioid settlement
funds. Guided by the principles outlined in the MOU, the Foundation operates as a private 501(c)(3) entity to support
prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts. Through strategic funding and community collaboration,
WVFF is committed to creating sustainable solutions that improve the health and well-being of all West Virginians.
For more information, visit wvfirst.org
