One of America’s pioneering filmmakers had nothing to do with Hollywood but nevertheless left his mark on the emerging industry. Oscar Micheaux was a homesteader, who then turned his attention to making movies in the early 1900s. He was a Black man who made movies for Black audiences at a time when they weren’t allowed into mainstream, white-only theaters. And for several pivotal years in the 1920s, he operated out of Roanoke, Virginia.
The floods of 2016 devastated several counties and it has taken seven years for them to be mostly returned to normal. Kara Lofton/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Conley served in the West Virginia Army National Guard and will now take leadership of WV VOAD after serving in roles across the state, including leading response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and managing high-intensity operations supporting correctional facilities.
WV VOAD is a collaborative humanitarian association of independent organizations dedicated to serving communities in the state before, during and after disasters.
Evan Conley is taking the reins at West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
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Focused on the four phases of disaster — preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation — WV VOAD works to identify unmet needs and streamline services to individuals and families impacted by disaster.
“Evan stood out among the candidates in our search process due to his real-life emergency management experience,” said David Lumsden, chair of the WV VOAD Board of Directors. “His leadership skills, operational mindset and deep understanding of crisis response make him an ideal choice to guide our organization into the future and ensure that WV VOAD continues to play a critical role in disaster response across the state.”
After the devastating and deadly flooding that hit southern and central West Virginia in 2016, WV VOAD rose to prominence for helping families recover when the state seemed unable to get anything done. But after that, VOAD was involved in a controversy of its own, eventually leading to the resignation of the organization’s director in February of 2024. The national organization cut ties with West Virginia over these concerns.
Conley said it is an honor to lead WV VOAD and focus on local needs.
“In moments of crisis, the strength of our communities lies in our ability to come together,” he said. “I’m deeply committed to building strong partnerships, expanding our reach, and ensuring that no West Virginian faces disaster alone. Together, we will elevate our collective capacity to respond swiftly, compassionately, and effectively when our neighbors need us most.”
“Evan brings a unique blend of leadership and empathy — qualities that are essential for guiding an organization like WV VOAD,” Lumsden said. “He not only has the operational expertise to lead effectively, but also a deep understanding of what individuals and families endure during times of disaster. We’re confident in his ability to strengthen our mission and are excited to see how he will shape the future of this organization.”
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