Meet the Huntington native whose vast experience and love for this community make him the perfect fit to lead the Chamber of Commerce.
By Jean Hardiman
HQ 108 | WINTER 2020
As president and CEO of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Bill Bissett has several opportunities to tell prospective business owners the great things about living and working in Huntington. And he should know. After all, Bissett moved back to Huntington three years ago with his wife, Lara, and young daughters, Molly and Maggie, so he could return to his West Virginia roots and enjoy all the benefits the community has to offer. One of many things he shares with companies and individuals looking to relocate to Huntington is this:
“I tell them everything in my universe is eight minutes from my house. Everything,” Bissett said. “I have my alma mater — a Division I university. I have my kids’ school, my work and a regional healthcare system. And that’s important, because time is the one commodity that we can never get back.”
Bissett, 54, has built a diverse career that included working as a private investigator and a video game columnist, as well as some time in advertising — all before delving into his true passion, which he discovered was public relations. Even his public relations career has been broad, covering fields ranging from agriculture to higher education to coal.
The result of this experience is a Chamber president who knows what’s important to people from many different sectors, and the ability to communicate everything the Huntington region has to offer. Throw in Bissett’s commitment to diversifying the economy, and you have a dynamic leader who aims to move his community forward by helping businesses — and the hardworking people who make them go — prosper and flourish.
“There’s been a recent upswing not just in the economy, but in the positive outlook of the community,” said Bissett, who grew up in Huntington. “You have a lot of young people starting businesses, borrowing money, taking risks and creating wonderful opportunities. You also have traditional family businesses that have been around for decades. What we have to do as a Chamber is tell those positive stories.”
A 1983 graduate of Barboursville High School, Bissett said it was a natural fit to go on to Marshall University, where he first earned a degree in criminal justice. He was also a military police officer and received his commission through the Army ROTC at Marshall.
He then worked as a private investigator, though a part-time gig as a video game columnist for The Charleston Gazette inspired an interest in journalism. As a result, Bissett went back to Marshall for a master’s degree, gravitating quickly toward public relations.
“When I discovered what public relations was, what it does and how it interfaces with the other media, that’s when I knew I was home,” Bissett said.
He earned his master’s degree in 1997, while working at WOWK-TV writing commercials. His first public relations job was for Gus Douglass, West Virginia’s longtime Commissioner of Agriculture.
“He was one of those guys I stood on the shoulders of — he was very helpful to me,” Bissett said, acknowledging with gratitude nearly all of his bosses over the years. “I learned several things from the commissioner, but the thing that stands out the most is this: When things are bad, get as many people around the table as you can.”
After six months with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Bissett joined Charles Ryan Associates as vice president of public relations, where he immediately dove into the campaign that would become nationally known as “Friends of Coal.”
“That’s how I got into the coal industry and learned its issues, challenges and strengths,” Bissett said. “I was kind of thrown into the deep end of the pool immediately with that project, but I really enjoyed it.”
In 2005, Bissett went to work for Marshall University as director of communications at the South Charleston campus. A year later Marshall President Stephen Kopp tapped him to become his chief of staff and senior vice president for communications.
“It was a real honor to work for Marshall because I am so grateful to the university for all it has done for me,” Bissett said.
Kopp encouraged Bissett to earn a doctorate in higher education leadership, which he did. He spent five years at Marshall before accepting a new position as president of the Kentucky Coal Association in Lexington. His previous work for the coal industry at Charles Ryan made him an ideal fit for the job.
“Kentucky is a state with a lot of politics. I came in as a blank slate but was able to build a lot of bridges between people, and I really enjoyed the work,” said Bissett. “That was the good news. The bad news was that it was at a time when the coal industry was contracting horribly.”
When an opportunity arose to return to Huntington to replace Cathy Burns as president of the Chamber, serving as a voice for more than 550 businesses in Cabell and Wayne counties, he seized it. Bissett said Burns left the organization in great shape, which made the transition much easier.
“That allowed me to come in to promote what we have beyond Cabell and Wayne counties and work on further opportunities here,” Bissett explained.
One goal has been maintaining the Chamber’s excellent reputation and ensuring that members see a return on their investment. Another has been diversification of both the Chamber’s leadership and the businesses in the two-county area.
“We’re an aggressive supporter of Mayor Williams’ ‘Open to All’ campaign,” Bissett asserted.
Economic development efforts are coordinated with local and state organizations, and Bissett is committed to being engaged politically.
“We endorse candidates,” he said. “We take positions on issues before our Legislature, as well as Congress. We make those decisions very carefully and in a collaborative way with our leadership team. I don’t want to be seen as a timid organization. I want to be seen as one that’s willing to take a hard stance to effect positive change.”
Along with serving as a voice for businesses to policymakers, Bissett takes pride in celebrating the openings and expansions of local businesses.
“It’s important work because we want the public to support new or expanding ventures,” he explained. “We cut a ribbon almost every week now, and that’s great to see.”
The Chamber’s decision to hire Bissett three years ago was an easy one according to Maribeth Anderson, director of government relations for Antero Resources and past chair of the Chamber’s board.
“When we hired Bill, he had a trifecta of talents — communications, political savvy and administrative experience,” Anderson said. “In the time since he’s come on board, that experience, those skills and his talents have proven invaluable.”
From a statewide perspective, Bissett is a true asset, said Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, where Bissett recently completed the Leadership West Virginia program.
“Bill is innovative and dedicated. He has a wide range of knowledgeable contacts and a deep grasp of issues,” Roberts said. “He always seeks positive outcomes and is the epitome of a team player. For these reasons his counsel is sought by the state’s most important leaders.”
Toney Stroud, the incoming chair of the Chamber’s board and an attorney for Encova Insurance, said Bissett has done a tremendous job of raising the profile of the Chamber and the Huntington community.
“His visibility in the community is just one attribute of a very hard worker who exhibits tremendous energy,” Stroud said. “We have a lot of great things to offer, and Bill is a champion for promoting what makes this a great place to live and do business. I consider it a privilege to work with Bill. Having a Chamber president with his abilities is essential to the future growth of the Huntington area.”
It feels good to see the momentum that Huntington seems to have right now, said Bissett, who also teaches online public relations classes at Marshall and operates a small PR consulting firm. As if that isn’t enough, he volunteers his time on numerous boards, including the Society of Yeager Scholars, the West Virginia Autism Training Center, the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council and the State Judicial Vacancy Advisory Committee.
He’s glad to be back in Huntington, where he can be home in time for dinner and help his daughters explore the fun places in his hometown, he said.
“We jokingly say that half our paycheck goes to Audy Perry and Heritage Farm Museum & Village,” Bissett said. “My children know every animal’s name out there. It’s a very beautiful and educational place, and it’s about eight minutes from my house. Seeing my children grow up where I grew up is a blessing. It really has a value that I wouldn’t have understood if I hadn’t moved back.”
