The Professional Studies Division is excited to present WVUP’s Fall Speaker Series, a series of presentations from prominent local leaders that will be free and open to the public! Speakers will share inspiring stories of success and how they came to be in their current positions.
The presentations will take place on the last Wednesday of each month at 12:15 p.m. in the theater, beginning on August 31 and ending on November 30.
Check this page for more information as speakers are confirmed!
October 26, 2022
Steven D. Patterson
Deputy Director, WVFC
Mr. Patterson is the Deputy Director of the West Virginia Fusion Center (WVFC). He began his time with the West Virginia Fusion Center as a volunteer Fusion Liaison Officer (FLO) in 2014, was hired as an Intelligence Analyst in 2016, and was named Deputy Director in 2018. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the WVFC. The WVFC is currently staffed with 19 intelligence analysts and support staff, houses a narcotics intelligence unit (NIU), and has an annual operating budget of approximately $3M. He acts as the WVFC’s Privacy and Security Officer, Federal DHS Security Liaison for the State of West Virginia, oversees the WVFC Forensic Accounting Unit, and is a member of the Special Investigations Unit with the WV Department of Homeland Security. He also holds a regional chair on the DHS-NFCA subcommittee for privacy and civil right and civil liberties.
Mr. Patterson has over 20 years of experience in internal auditing, forensic accounting, and fraud investigation, overseeing and leading multiple comprehensive fraud investigations and special inquiries, including executive, employee, and vendor fraud, maximizing recovery efforts while working with internal process owners and outside law enforcement agencies.
Mr. Patterson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, WV. He is currently a master’s candidate at the Naval Post Graduate School Center for Homeland Security and Defense. He has instructed at the University level and continues to present and train locally, nationally, and internationally about interviewing fraud investigation, investigative reasoning, and topics related to Homeland Security.
November 30, 2022
Amanda Stevens
Management Leader
Amanda Stevens began her role as Executive Director of Downtown PKB in September 2021. Before that, Ms. Stevens held two positions at Artsbridge, Inc. First as the organization’s office manager, then as the executive director for 3 years. She has been a grant reader and a panelist for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History and has been instrumental in overseeing several large scale events and art installations, including creating a partnership for Artsbridge with the Grand Central Mall and the creation of the glass mosaic mural inside the new Williamstown Elementary School. As director of Artsbridge, Ms. Stevens oversaw all programs, grant writing, and fundraising.
Prior to working at Artsbridge, Ms. Stevens worked for her family’s business, DeBarr Trucking Co. in Parkersburg. Directly after obtaining a degree from WVU-Parkersburg, Amanda was a licensed real estate agent in West Virginia. She has been a singer with local bands for over 20 years at fairs and festivals and has served as music director at her church. She has been a vocal coach to numerous children and teens in the community and has participated in community theatre throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Amanda Stevens resides in Parkersburg with family.