Tom Heywood served as Board President from 2000-2002.  He is a partner in the firm Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff, & Love, LLP in the Charleston office.  Tom is the former Chief of Staff to the Honorable Gaston Caperton, Governor of the State of West Virginia. He has significant experience in health care, corporate, finance and commercial law, and is recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”  Tom earned his law degree in 1982 from Harvard Law School, where he served as Developments Editor of the Harvard International Law Journal (1981-82) and EditHe graduated from Stanford University in 1978, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, with distinction, and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society. Tom was editor of the Harvard Law Record (1980-82).

He joined Bowles Rice in 1983.  From 1989 to 1990, Tom served

as Counsel to West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton, and from 1990 to 1993 he served as Governor Caperton’s Chief of Staff.  Tom returned to Bowles Rice in 1993.  Tom remains active as a leader in many civic activities, and has led the following initiatives in recent years:  Chairman, Results-Based Government Task Force, Vision Shared (2002); Chairman, TANF Advisory Council (2001); Chairman, Community and Technical College Implementation Board (2000); Co-Chairman, Celebration 2000 (1999-2000); Co-Chairman, “Yes on 1 Committee” (Stock Investment Amendment to West Virginia Constitution) (1998); Chairman, Transition Committee on Medicaid (1997); Chairman, Medicaid Crisis Panel (1995).  Tom has also served as Chairman or Co-Chairman of several Kanawha County school bond and levy advocacy groups in recent years.

Tom has received numerous awards for his public service, including the “Margaret Baldwin Friend of Education Award” (2000) (awarded by the West Virginia Education Association);  the “Sam Walton Community Leadership Award” (1999) (awarded by the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce and Development); “Citizen of the Year” (1999) (awarded by the National Association of Service Workers); the “Distinguished Service Award” (1996) (awarded by the West Virginia Hospital Association); and the “Friend of Education Award” (1995) (awarded by the Kanawha County Education Association).  Tom serves on numerous charitable and non-profit boards, and participates actively in various business and trade associations.

Laura Smith Chandler received her undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon College and taught Latin and English in the public schools. She was an active participant at Charleston's Baptist Temple, in life in her community. She and her husband, Dr. A.C. Chandler raised two sons, Arthur, Jr. and John Davis.
Laura joined the Society's Board of Directors in April, 1949 and continued through May, 1976. Her Board service included the offices of Treasurer, Secretary and President as well as serving actively on numerous committees. She was elected Director Emeritus in 1976 and held that position until her death in 1992.
During her sixteen years as a Director Emeritus, Laura continued her support of the Society and its work.

George Ward was a graduate of both Washington and Lee in Civil Engineering and Carnegie Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to his service as Banking Commissioner for the State of West Virginia under Governor Herman Kump and Governor Homer Holt, Mr. Ward was vice president and trust officer of Charleston National Bank. The son of a banker, his financila skills were honed through positions with the Bank of Mill Creek in Randolph County.
Mr. Ward served on the Society's Board of Directors from 1942 through 1976 holding the position of vice president as well as participating in the committee work of the agency. He was elected Director Emeritus in 1976 and held that position until his death in 1978.

Charles Rotgin served on the Society's Board of Directors from 1952 through 1981. Charley was elected president of the Society twice, served as secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer and parliamentarian as well as participating in many committees. He was elected Director Emeritus in 1981 and held that position until his death in 1987.
Charley graduated from Charleston Business College and, with his wife Helaine, owned and operated Jean's, a Quarrier Street women's clothing store. He maintained an active participation in the business and civic life of Charleston. Charley and Helaine raised three children: Cookie, Kitty and Chuck.

Helen and her husband, Ross, first served the Society's children as foster Parents. From August, 1975, through September, 1988, they opened their home and hearts to birth mothers and infants. During their thirteen years of foster parenting, they cared for fourteen birth mothers and four infants. She was employed by the Social Security Administration.
Helen joined the Society's Board of Directors in May, 1986. During the next ten years, she held the office of Board Secretary and served actively on a number of committees.
In 1991, a generous gift from Helen and Ross became the very first contribution to the Davis Building Fund. She was elected Director Emeritus in 1996 and held that position until her death in 1998. Matt Smith, one of Helen's sons, has also served on the Society's Board and is a current Director Emeritus.