Dave Lavender

Dave Lavender’s resume is almost as impressive as his beard.

A Wildcat from the University of Kentucky, Dave was originally born in southern Ohio. He cut his teeth working in journalism over five states across multiple mediums including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and social media. He and his wife, Toril, have two sons.

Dave is now settled in West Virginia where he runs the West Virginia Film office for the WV Department of Economic Development and has served on more than a dozen nonprofit and community boards.

Perhaps none is closer to Dave’s heart, though, than Hope in the Hills. Formed in the aftermath of August 15, 2016, a day on which 26 people died of overdoses in Huntington, Hope in the Hills is a nonprofit which operates Healing Appalachia each year. The recovery-focused concert has provided hope for families of those struggling with substance use and donated almost $1 million to recovery efforts throughout Appalachia.

A large team makes Healing Appalachia happen every year, including more than 500 volunteers. We salute them all for doing their part to foster hope. So as we honor Dave Lavender, President of the Board of Hope in the Hills, we honor his commitment to making recovery real, and we honor all those who work alongside him in the statewide effort that is…Healing Appalachia. Thank you, friends and neighbors, for appealing to our better angels and working to make a positive impact.