Contact:
Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org
Adam Wells, Economic Diversification Campaign Coordinator, 276-679-1691, adam@appvoices.org
Wise County, Va. – Appalachian Voices is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Wells, a sixth generation resident of Wise County, to our team of dedicated professionals. Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit conservation organization working to protect the mountains, water and communities of the Appalachian region.
As the Economic Diversification Campaign Coordinator, Adam will focus on bringing new economic opportunities and resources to the area, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and clean energy. Adam will work to connect with local residents and a variety of organizations, civic groups, businesses and government agencies to help promote positive and diverse economic growth in coal-impacted communities throughout Southwest Virginia.
Adam attended Appalachian State University, in Boone, N.C., where he earned a B.A. in an interdisciplinary course of study he designed focused on education for social change. He partnered with Appalachian Voices as a Field Organizer, traveling the South giving presentations about Appalachia. In 2008, he returned to Southwest Virginia to work as a community organizer for citizens groups and also as a Wilderness Therapy Field Guide.
Most recently, Adam was the Guest River Coordinator for the nonprofit Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, where he was responsible for the design, outreach, execution and reporting for a program that provides more than $87,000 in assistance to homeowners who need financial help with septic repairs and maintenance. In addition to coordinating with multiple government, social service, and private business partners, Adam, a certified water quality monitor, also was responsible for sampling water quality at more than a dozen sites throughout the Guest River watershed to measure the effectiveness of improving septic systems.
“Adam’s energy, talent, and integrity are tremendous assets for working with a wide range of partners to move things forward, and it’s that collaboration that’s really important now,” says Tom Cormons, Executive Director of Appalachian Voices. “We’re so glad to be bringing him onto the team at this important time for the region.”
“As a sixth generation resident of Wise County, I understand that we are living in a time of tremendous change in the coal-bearing region,” says Adam. “This area is my heritage and my home, like so many other Appalachians. I’m eager to channel this position and the mission of Appalachian Voices to be a part of creating sustainable communities for the future.”
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Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, nonprofit organization that brings people together to protect the communities and natural resources of the Appalachian region by promoting a shift from harmful, polluting energy practices, including mountaintop removal coal mining, to a cleaner, more just and sustainable energy future. With offices in Boone and Raleigh, N.C., and Charlottesville and Wise County, Va., Appalachian Voices works at the local, state and federal level, focusing on grassroots organizing and policy reform.
WEB: www.AppalachianVoices.org
FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/AppalachianVoices
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/appvoices
