Logan Smith
Executive Director
logan@afnha.org

Logan has served the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area since 2008. His family history in the region goes back over 250 years and he has served on many boards and commissions including the Elkins Historical Landmarks Commission, Preservation Alliance of WV, Randolph County Historical Society, the West Virginia State Archives and History Commission. Logan holds a M.A. in Social Science Education from West Virginia University and B.A. in Political Science from Shepherd University. He has also completed a Masters Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Washington, and has been certified as a Lead Safe Renovator.

Logan believes in the value of interpreting and preserving Appalachia’s cultural and natural heritage to support sustainable economic growth for our rural communities and is proud of his small role in attaining these goals.

Carolyn Cocola
AmeriCorps Program Manager
carolync@afnha.org

Since 2012, Carolyn has enjoyed the scenic mountain views and wildlife as a resident of West Virginia. Before living in Belington, West Virginia, she lived in Connecticut and Florida. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Service in 2001 and her Master's Degree in Business Administration in 2008. She enjoys playing with her pets, spending time with her family and being outdoors. Carolyn is a lifelong learner. She leans heavily on her humanitarian approach to bring positive change to herself and others in the community.

Her role will include recruiting, retention, and maintaining compliance standards for the AmeriCorps Members and AmeriCorps Sites. Fun times with an emphasis on community involvement, Let's Make A Difference!

Maria Bray
Heritage Programs & Operations Manager
maria@afnha.org

Originally from Manhattan, my family and I moved to West Virginia in 1991. Most of my background is in Business Administration and Finance; however, I have always worked to build up my community through volunteering and service, and I enjoy working with committed people who believe we can see and accept our differences as strengths as we work to overcome obstacles and bring about significant change.

I found my tribe while serving with Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area as the AmeriCorps Heritage Tourism Associate at the Darden Mill in Elkins. My AmeriCorps service was a great way to explore our historical sites and create story maps for visitors. I stayed on with AFNHA after my service year and became the Heritage Programs manager. As a manager and AmeriCoach, I support our AmeriCorps teams and historical interpretation programs at the Darden Mill and our region.

Locally, I serve as president of the Friends of the Library (AKA the Elkins Bookhounds). Our Mission as a group of citizens is to promote understanding of the library, its programs, its resources, and its needs. We meet monthly to support the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library's goals, providing volunteer assistance, books, materials, and financial help when needed. 

I also serve as President of the Randolph County Chapter of the Master Gardener Program. The program helps residents better understand horticultural and environmental issues through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools, parks, public institutions, community organizations, and locations throughout the County.

 In my "free" time, I enjoy singing with the Community Choir, "Lift Up Your Voice, " a community choir directed by Emily Miller and run by the Augusta Heritage Center. Attending Bible study at Rivers of Living Waters Ministry, reading, writing, photography, and spending time with my son. C.J., my daughter-in-law Heidi, and two rescues, Princess Jasmine and Jersey Girl, round out the rich community experience of living in Elkins.

I am looking forward to learning more about the culture and history of Randolph County while exchanging ideas with this brilliant and enthusiastic team.

Ben Duvall-Irwin
Communications Manager
ben@afnha.org

Ben grew up in North Carolina and Arkansas and has been living in Elkins since 2018. He is a former AmeriCorps member with AFNHA who served two years at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center and recently worked at the Beverly Heritage Center where he helped organize events and promote local heritage tourism. He enjoys hiking in our many public lands and is currently learning to play the banjo. He is excited to get to explore our region and promote our unique cultural traditions.

Ben manages our Highlands Creative Economy program and is responsible for our newsletter, social media accounts, website, and partner outreach.

Josh Wanstreet
Conservations Programs Manager
josh@afnha.org

Josh Wanstreet brings a combined five years of experience serving as an AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Vista member to AFNHA having completed his final year of service in August 2023. This experience earned him the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for serving four thousand hours in AmeriCorps. After serving in the US Air Force between 1997 and 2003 he enrolled at Fairmont State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Political Science.

As Conservation Programs Manager he supervises and works with AmeriCorps members for the 2023-2024 Monongahela National Forest Visitor Use Monitoring Survey, the AFNHA Pollinator Initiative and the Appalachian Forest Volunteers program. He is fortunate to be part of a passionate and dedicated team that works to serve communities throughout the state. He can trace his paternal family’s ancestry to Doddridge County, WV settling in 1832 after emigrating from Oldenburg, Germany. In his spare time he enjoys playing traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, kayaking, square dancing and training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has lived in Elkins since 2012.

Larry Jent
Fiscal Sustainability Director
larry@afnha.org

Larry’s roots run deep in the Appalachian highlands, with Native American ancestry and coal mining heritage. He married into West Virginia history, as his wife’s family has been in Upshur County since 1764. He and Barbara have shared a home there for over 20 years.

Living and working in diverse areas from Alaska, to the Mississippi Delta, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Chesapeake Bay, he has always been a community organizer and worked to build greater opportunities for people in need. Along the way, he gained experience building non-profits and growing grass roots networks.

He is an accomplished story teller, winner of prestigious liars’ competitions, and a versatile old-time musician. In this new role as Fiscal Sustainability Director, he looks forward to using his skill set to help AFNHA embrace bold plans for the future. Call him anytime to swap stories or share dreams!

Phyllis Baxter
Director Emeritus
Interpretation Chair
phyllisb@afnha.org

Phyllis has been involved with AFHA since the beginning in 2001. A West Virginian by choice, she has lived in Randolph County since 1979 and raised her family here. She has a History degree from Oklahoma City University, Masters in American History from University of Texas Austin, and Certificate in Public History from WVU, with 30 years experience in public history and non-profit management. As Executive Director for Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area she provides leadership, oversight, and advocacy, as well overseeing the AFNHA AmeriCorps program as Program Director.

AmeriCorps Members

Our other 30+ AmeriCorps members serve at partner sites in our West Virginia counties. Though they are not technically staff, they are key to the work AFNHA does.