West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Telling West Virginia's Story
On this West Virginia Morning, medical marijuana is the topic of discussion during legislative interims, Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker and the final…
On this West Virginia Morning, medical marijuana is the topic of discussion during legislative interims, Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker and the final preview of this season’s ‘Inspiring West Virginians.’
Action Facilities Management – or AFM – overlooks I-79 near Morgantown and employs more than 300 people in nine states. “In Fairmont we work for the West
Action Facilities Management – or AFM – overlooks I-79 near Morgantown and employs more than 300 people in nine states.
“In Fairmont we work for the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation and we do the security, maintenance and janitorial for all these facilities here,” said founder, president and CEO Diane Lewis. “It’s one of our commercial clients.”
AFM provides building, maintenance and grounds services for numerous government agencies as well, including Homeland Security, the FBI, the U.S. Dept. of Defense, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the GSA, FAA, FEMA, CDC, and the U.S. Navy, among many others.
It’s an impressive array of customers given that Lewis started the company in her basement a little more than 10 years ago, with her then teenage son as her only employee.
“I told my son, I said, ‘you’re going to have to be my secretary,’ and he’s like, ‘I don’t want to be a secretary!’” “And I said, ‘yes, you are!’”
“So we started slowly, and I actually got our first contract in 2004,” said Lewis, West Virginia’s 2013 Small Business Person of the Year.
Lewis grew up in Clarksburg and graduated from Fairmont State College with a degree in accounting and another in banking.
“From there I started working, and I haven’t stopped,” said Lewis.
In the 1990s she worked for a company in Morgantown owned by Kenny Jackson. In 2001, when Jackson was winding down his company, he encouraged Lewis to start her own.
Today Lewis’ son, Don Hill, manages the company’s Washington, DC offices and her daughter, Stephanie, works for the FBI.
After Lewis raised her kids on her own, she married Jackson, the man who years before had encouraged her to start her own business. Today Jackson is a consultant for AFM.
This successful businesswoman comes from humble, hardworking roots. She was the youngest of 7 children raised in a 3-bedroom home.
“I didn’t even realize how poor we were at the time,” said Lewis. “It was really crowded. I slept at the bottom of my parents’ bed for the first 7 or 8 years that I can remember.”
Lewis’ dad was quite bright, skipping a grade in elementary school, but ultimately dropped out to help support his younger siblings. Her mother was born in Gilmer County, one of 16 children.
Lewis describes Clarksburg as a booming town during the years of her childhood. A glass factory close to her home employed between 200-300 people.
“There were filling stations, bakeries, barbershops,” she said. “There were all kinds of businesses around that area. There was a playground and everybody looked out for you.”
Lewis’ dad, who had a wooden leg, worked for Union Carbide for 33 years and obviously had a huge impact on Lewis’ life.
“He always taught me never to be late. You always tell the truth, no matter what – good or bad – you tell the truth and you have integrity about what you do.”
Today Lewis and her husband run a non-profit organization called Members of Diversity, helping youth from minority groups develop the skills needed to find jobs.
As an African American, she knows from experience the hurdles that must be overcome to make it in business, or anything else.
“I’ve been on walk-throughs where I actually had a gentleman, a white gentleman say to me, ‘Well take good notes for your boss, I’m sure he’ll need ‘em,’” recalled Lewis.
“He automatically assumed I could not own the company. And then after I won, he called me up and asked if he could do anything to help me?”
“It happens,” she said. “But I don’t know if it’s a disadvantage sometimes, or more of an advantage, because they underestimate me a lot of times.”
Lewis is a director of Teaming to Win, one of the largest and most successful events in the state for small businesses. She also serves on the Board of Governors of West Virginia University.
“She’s an amazing leader and entrepreneur,” said James Clements, President of West Virginia University. “I can’t think of many people who are as inspiring as Diane.”
“She’s one of those good, quiet people just making a difference every day.”
Diane Lewis is featured along with others in the documentary Inspiring West Virginians, produced by Jean Snedegar with Senior Producer Suzanne Higgins.
Watch Peg + Cat weekdays on WV PBS at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; also on weekends at 8 a.m.
PBS KIDS’ newest animated preschool series Peg + Cat is coming to WV PBS. The multimedia property follows the adorable, spirited Peg and her sidekick, Cat, as they embark on adventures, solve problems and learn foundational math concepts and skills. Peg + Cat (pronounced Peg plus Cat) premieres Monday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. on WV PBS with a special one-hour broadcast of two back-to-back episodes, along with integrated online and mobile content. The series airs daily following the premiere.
Peg Cat program and digital resources focus on problem-solving and foundational math concepts and skills for children ages 3-5.
Peg + Cat is a production of The Fred Rogers Company. Each episode features two 11-minute stories in which Peg and Cat encounter an unexpected challenge that requires them to use math and problem-solving skills in order to save the day. Their adventures take viewers from a farm to a distant planet, from a pirate island to a prehistoric valley, from Romeo and Juliet’s Verona to Cleopatra’s Egypt to New York’s Radio City Music Hall. While teaching specific math lessons, the series displays the value of resilience and perseverance in problem-solving.
Peg + Cat is a multi-platform media experience for 3-5 year olds that includes interactive mobile and online content. The property offers games and other resources online at pbskids.org/peg.
The program’s curriculum is grounded in principles and standards for school mathematics as established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics for kindergarten and first grade. This curriculum comes to life through music, lovable characters, hilarious escapades, and imaginative problems that engage children and stimulate their learning. Responding to several critical needs, Peg + Cat will help children begin exploring math and get them interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) as early as possible. The program will also help dispel the myth that success in math requires a special “math gene.”
Download these activities and coloring sheets:
A special feature on the mind behind the film A Beautiful Mind, John Nash. Also, WVU's Solar Decathlon team competes in CA. Those stories and more.
A special feature on the mind behind the film A Beautiful Mind, John Nash. Also, WVU’s Solar Decathlon team competes in CA. Those stories and more.
New environmental regs, coal a tourism draw in southern W.Va, an historic clock in downtown Lexington Ky. restored and Big Stone Gap Va. gets a taste of…
New environmental regs, coal a tourism draw in southern W.Va, an historic clock in downtown Lexington Ky. restored and Big Stone Gap Va. gets a taste of Hollywood.
WVU Professor on EPA Regulations: With the proposed regulations targeting new coal-fired power plants, one West Virginia University law professor is predicting new challenges for the region’s coal industry.
Coal Tours: Coal mine history is providing a tourism boost to southern West Virginia. A tour guide company that specializes in the mine mars has been showing guests through the region for three years now.
Historic Clock: For eight decades, a clock in front of Skuller’s Jewelry Stores on Main St. helped Lexington, Ky., residents measure their day. But, over time, the clock became erratic, until finally its hands stood still. Now, after a facelift and significant repairs, the clock is again ready to keep time.
Sounds of Fall: The first day of fall is upon us, and the season brings visions of the brilliant foliage- but what about the sounds of fall? West Virginia Public Radio’s Jim Lange reflects on the symphony fall brings, both manmade and natural.
Big Stone Gap Movie: Big Stone Gap, Va., is getting the big screen treatment. The governor’s office says a film version is being made of author Adriana Trigiani’s novel of the same name. In 2011 Trigiani spoke with West Virginia Public Radio about her career as an Appalachian writer.
We celebrate and remember National POW/MIA Day, listening to the story of Eddie Jackfert. Also, Theater WV closes its curtains. Those stories and more.
We celebrate and remember National POW/MIA Day, listening to the story of Eddie Jackfert. Also, Theater WV closes its curtains. Those stories and more.
