W.Va. Preservation Alliance welcomes Sibray, Ballman to board

ELKINS, W.Va. — The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) has
announced the appointments of Martha Ballman and David Sibray to its
board of directors, according to its executive director, Danielle
LaPresta.

A statewide non-profit dedicated to encouraging preservation in the
Mountain State, the PAWV provides advice and technical assistance for
groups and individuals and may best be known for publishing an annual
list of endangered properties.

LaPresta said the appointments of both new and tenured board members
provide a fresh, balanced energy.

“The appointments are ideally blended,” she said.

“Mrs. Ballman has long been a member of the alliance, and Mr. Sibray
arrives as a strong new voice for preservation in West Virginia after
many years in the practice of public relations and marketing.”

Ballman has remained active in community preservation since retiring
as the executive director of the PAWV in 2011. She is currently a
member of the Kanawha Valley Historical & Preservation Society, which
is working to manage development in the historic Kanawha Boulevard
area of west Charleston.

“I am pleased to once again be involved with PAWV and look forward to
assisting with their efforts, especially in regard to heritage
tourism,” she said.

Ballman and her husband, Steve, also serve on the board of “Friends of
Old Time Music and Dance” or FOOTMAD, a non-profit dedicated to the
preservation and presentation of traditional  music and dance in the
Kanawha Valley region.

FOOTMAD sponsors a concert series that features traditional music and
hosts vocal and instrumental sessions for the community to come
together to share heritage music. The Ballmans are also are dance
callers for Civil War balls, squares and contra dances.

Sibray is a longtime promoter of travel and heritage tourism in West
Virginia and brings a wealth of expertise in marketing and public
relations to the table. He is publisher of the online travel guide
West Virginia Explorer and executive director of Sibray Public
Relations.

Sibray said he hopes to benefit the board as a fundraiser and by
emphasizing preservation as a key to solid economic development in
West Virginia.

“I never tire of talking about the value of our historical resources,
and I think many West Virginians are interested in re-investing in
their communities in this way.”

Before embarking on a career in publishing and public relations,
Sibray studied Cultural Resource Management and Appalachian Studies at
West Virginia University. He has served as chair of landmark
commissions in Beckley and Raleigh County.

For more information about the PAWV, visit www.pawv.org or call 304-345-6005.