Partnership Welcomes New Board Chair

This July, at the conclusion of the partnership’s quarterly board meeting in Marlinton, the gavel was passed to Elkins representative Jessica Sutton, formalizing her election as the new board chair for the Mon Forest Towns Partnership. In addition to being an avid trail runner and outdoor enthusiast, Sutton is an active member of her community, serving on the board of Elkins Area Shared Trails (EAST) and Wonder & Grow Mindful Nature Experiences, coaching youth cross-country and tennis, coordinating Elkins’ adult volleyball league, and supporting the Randolph County Outdoors Collaborative.

Mayor Sam Felton of Marlinton passes the gavel to the new board chair, Jessica Sutton of Elkins.

“It has been my distinct honor to serve this organization through its founding. The Mon Forest Towns Partnership has grown well beyond what many thought possible in the early years of its organization. The time was right to pass the torch… The idea of gateway towns to the Mon created a connection between the forest and the towns that is raising the outdoor recreation economy in ways not seen before. The Mon must have been waiting for the right representatives to highlight the gateway communities and the Towns stakeholders could in turn promote the Mon as one of the state’s premier assets, which was recognized as underutilized. Prior to the Partnership, The Mon was a stranger in the house. We welcomed them in, but didn’t know much about them. But now we are friends.”

-Sam Felton, Mayor of Marlinton & Former Board Chair of the Mon Forest Towns Partnership

Mayor Felton will continue supporting the Partnership as a member of the board and representative for Marlinton, helping to coordinate the partnership’s flagship projects like Monday Lick and Mower Basin Trail Systems in Pocahontas County. Everyone at Mon Forest Towns would like to offer our sincerest appreciation to Mayor Felton for his commitment to collaboration and enthusiasm for the Mon!