about us

Board President

Nick was a charter member of the partnership and has served on the Board of Directors for a number of years. Nick has experience working with nonprofits in the area as well as being an entrepreneur. He is the President and Chairman of the Board for Marion County Development Corporation, and serves with a multitude of other local organizations that have a direct impact on the community and economic development of Marion County. He was awarded one of the 2021 Hero Awards with Marion County Family Resource Network.

Board Treasurer

Toby Heaney is a retired veteran and previously was the Partnership’s Finance Administrative Assistant. He facilitated all accounting procedures and worked with the Executive Director and Finance Committee to ensure fiscal responsibility and maximize financial resources. He has his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Charleston, is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Economics from WVU, and serves in a number of community organizations, including acting as commander of VFW Post 629.

Retired, City Council

Houston is retired, he has been the President of the Dunbar School Foundation, a member of the Marion Co. Development Authority, and a member of the Marion County Planning & Zoning Committee. He has been a long-time supporter of The Partnership and is passionate about the redevelopment and revitalization of Marion County. He is a supporter of the BLM movement and was formerly on the city council.

A resident of the City of Fairmont, Brandon is an IT professional with CPA firm Hill, Barth, and King in Pittsburgh. He studied Information Systems at Fairmont State University and is also a graduate of Marshall University. Brandon serves as a volunteer member of the non-profit Sarah’s Table, an organization that, in partnership with St. John’s University Parish, serves hot meals every week in downtown Morgantown. He also brings extensive private sector experience in technology sales and marketing.

Board Vice President

Alex is an Assistant Planner for the City of Fairmont and has been appointed to the FCDP Board of Directors by the City Manager. In this role, he assists with the economic development of the city, which includes coordinating and implementing projects and programs that support commercial, office and industrial development, business attraction, and retention.

Associate Professor of Architecture, Fairmont State University

 Robert is currently an Associate Professor at Architecture at Fairmont State University. He has extensive experience working as an architect, maker, and educator, frequently teaching design studios, history/theory courses, and facilitating travel programs.

Coordinator, Marion County Grants

Belinda is the Marion County Grants Coordinator and serves on the Partnership’s Board of Directors as a representative of the Marion County administration. Her experience in writing proposals, particularly state and federal grants has been beneficial to FCDP. She also helps us locate property through tax sales and is familiar with GIS mapping and records room searches.

Lane is from lived in a very rural town in West Virginia, called Hundred in Wetzel County. He graduated from Clay Battelle high school in the western end of Monongalia County. Lane currently works at longhorn steakhouse in Morgantown, and previously worked at Tennant funeral home and Legacy Integrity, a pipeline surveying company. He is currently studying Business Administration, concentrated in economics, with a minor in Political Science at Fairmont State University. Lane intends to use this to become an apprentice or shadow at a business law firm and become a business litigator. In his degree, he has taken a plethora of specific courses that have given him a wide variety of skills and knowledge that he can apply in many fields. Lane finds himself very geared to help others. He has donated many hours to volunteering, such as helping with the community pool and setting up events for Young life (a high school youth group).