Dominique Ranieri

According to AAA, holiday travel in 2025 is expected to set a new all-time record. It’s anticipated that a whopping 122.4 million Americans will head out of town between Christmas and New Years, with some 8.03 million passengers alone expected to do so on an airplane. 

Much like the rest of the country, holiday travel numbers in West Virginia are also expected to be staggering. The WV Turnpike is preparing for upwards of 1.5 million travelers, and that’s not to say anything about the state’s airports.

Holy cow, the airports!

Depending on the moment, Charleston’s Yeager Airport is one of the busiest places in West Virginia during the holidays. As such, getting hurried travelers to all of their parties for hosting with their suitcases packed full of marshmallows for toasting takes a Herculean-effort from a whole team of dedicated elves. But it’s not Chris Cringle leading this elite holiday expeditionary force – that responsibility falls squarely upon the shoulders of Yeager Airport Director Dominique Ranieri.   

While her nose may not glow red, Dominique guides her team through uncooperative weather, long lines, unforeseen delays, and just about every other challenging situation the festive holiday season can throw at her, and she does it all with a jolly smile on her face. 

For all the hard work her and her team put in over the holiday season – and every other day throughout the year – we are pleased to name Dominique Ranieri as the certified Real West Virginian of the Week.

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Email us at news@therealwv.com.