Logan Smith
Executive Director
logan@afnha.org

Logan has served the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area since 2008. His family history in the region goes back over 250 years and he has served on many boards and commissions including the Elkins Historical Landmarks Commission, Preservation Alliance of WV, Randolph County Historical Society, the West Virginia State Archives and History Commission. Logan holds a M.A. in Social Science Education from West Virginia University and B.A. in Political Science from Shepherd University. He has also completed a Masters Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Washington, and has been certified as a Lead Safe Renovator.

Logan believes in the value of interpreting and preserving Appalachia’s cultural and natural heritage to support sustainable economic growth for our rural communities and is proud of his small role in attaining these goals.

Maria Bray
Heritage Programs & Operations Manager
maria@afnha.org

Originally from Manhattan, my family and I moved to West Virginia in 1991. Most of my background is in Business Administration and Finance; however, I have always worked to build up my community through volunteering and service, and I enjoy working with committed people who believe we can see and accept our differences as strengths as we work to overcome obstacles and bring about significant change.

I found my tribe while serving with Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area as the AmeriCorps Heritage Tourism Associate at the Darden Mill in Elkins. My AmeriCorps service was a great way to explore our historical sites and create story maps for visitors. I stayed on with AFNHA after my service year and became the Heritage Programs manager. As a manager and AmeriCoach, I support our AmeriCorps teams and historical interpretation programs at the Darden Mill and our region.

Locally, I serve as president of the Friends of the Library (AKA the Elkins Bookhounds). Our Mission as a group of citizens is to promote understanding of the library, its programs, its resources, and its needs. We meet monthly to support the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library's goals, providing volunteer assistance, books, materials, and financial help when needed. 

I also serve as President of the Randolph County Chapter of the Master Gardener Program. The program helps residents better understand horticultural and environmental issues through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools, parks, public institutions, community organizations, and locations throughout the County.

 In my "free" time, I enjoy singing with the Community Choir, "Lift Up Your Voice, " a community choir directed by Emily Miller and run by the Augusta Heritage Center. Attending Bible study at Rivers of Living Waters Ministry, reading, writing, photography, and spending time with my son. C.J., my daughter-in-law Heidi, and two rescues, Princess Jasmine and Jersey Girl, round out the rich community experience of living in Elkins.

I am looking forward to learning more about the culture and history of Randolph County while exchanging ideas with this brilliant and enthusiastic team.

Ben Duvall-Irwin
Communications Manager
ben@afnha.org

Ben grew up in North Carolina and Arkansas and has been living in Elkins since 2018. He is a former AmeriCorps member with AFNHA who served two years at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, after which he worked at the Beverly Heritage Center where he helped organize events and promote local heritage tourism. He enjoys hiking in our many public lands and is currently learning to play the banjo. He is excited to get to explore our region and promote our unique cultural traditions.

Ben manages our Highlands Creative Economy program and is responsible for our newsletter, social media accounts, website, and partner outreach.

Larry Jent
Fiscal Sustainability Director
larry@afnha.org

Larry’s roots run deep in the Appalachian highlands, with Native American ancestry and coal mining heritage. He married into West Virginia history, as his wife’s family has been in Upshur County since 1764. He and Barbara have shared a home there for over 20 years.

Living and working in diverse areas from Alaska, to the Mississippi Delta, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Chesapeake Bay, he has always been a community organizer and worked to build greater opportunities for people in need. Along the way, he gained experience building non-profits and growing grass roots networks.

He is an accomplished story teller, winner of prestigious liars’ competitions, and a versatile old-time musician. In this new role as Fiscal Sustainability Director, he looks forward to using his skill set to help AFNHA embrace bold plans for the future. Call him anytime to swap stories or share dreams!

Tina Bennett
Administrative Associate
tina@afnha.org

Tina grew up in Virginia, moved to Tennessee in 1988, and then to West Virginia in 1998. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, along with minors in History and Religious Studies. Tina later earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has a wide range of professional experience, including roles as an analyst, project manager, business manager, adjunct business professor, assistant fiscal officer, church choir director, and co-owner of HandyMoms LLC.

Tina and her husband, Danny, raised three children: Ashlee, Alan, and Evelyn. Their family has since expanded to include a son-in-law, Steven, and a grandson, Bennett. The family enjoys fishing, hiking, hunting, highland dance, baseball, soccer, football, video gaming, horseback riding, and DIY projects. In her free time, Tina has volunteered and served as a leader for several organizations in the Elkins area, including the 4-H High Riders Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Babe Ruth and Little League, Seneca Soccer, Ducks Unlimited, Randolph County Humane Society, Third Ward Elementary PTO, and West Virginia Highland Dancers.

Tina is excited to join the team at AFNHA as the Administrative Manager and looks forward to learning more about conservation, forestry, local history, indigenous cultures, and the Appalachian Forest.

Jennifer Rhyner
AmeriCorps Program Manager
jennifer@afnha.org

Jennifer grew up in Wisconsin where she found her love of the outdoors, animals, and history. She graduated from Northland College with a double major in History and Conflict & Peacemaking. She went on to pursue her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. After college Jennifer worked for over 20 years in Higher Education in Admissions, Financial Aid, and Institutional Research. Her passion for helping others led her to pursue a career in health care as a Care Coordinator and Behavioral Health Case Manager.

Jennifer loves to hike, fish, hunt, and do anything outdoors or with animals. She spends her time with her husband, dogs, and chickens at her home in Elkins. Jennifer is an avid equestrian and rides Dressage. She has volunteered working with children using Equine Therapy, fostering dogs through English Springer Rescue America, Inc., and played an active role in the West Branch Sportsman's Club running their website, media pages, organizing community events, and helping with conservation efforts. Jennifer hopes to bring her energy and enthusiasm to AFNHA and the forest region as the AmeriCorp Program Manager.

Jeffrey Pryor
Discovery Programs Manager
jeffrey@afnha.org

Jeffrey Pryor is a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran, historian, and museum professional with more than two decades of experience in exhibit development, historical interpretation, and facilities management. He holds a Master of Arts in History and graduate certificates in museum studies, public history, and heritage from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, along with bachelor’s degrees in History and French.

Jeffrey has curated and constructed exhibits both in the U.S. and abroad, including notable projects with the Missouri Historical Society, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and museums in Normandy, France and Mahnay, Belgium. His work emphasizes accessibility, thoughtful design, and community-centered storytelling—drawing on his combined background in historical research and hands-on construction. His exhibits have explored topics ranging from World War I to the Civil Rights Movement, and his advocacy for ADA and multilingual access has broadened public engagement in meaningful ways.

Jeffrey served as a subject matter expert for HBO’s Masters of the Air, contributing to the series’ historical accuracy. His career continues to blend education, preservation, and innovation, always focused on telling stories that matter. In his spare time, he is the founder and executive director of Mobility Mountain, a nonprofit dedicated to creating an inclusive outdoor campground for individuals with disabilities—emphasizing his mission, Making Nature Accessible.

Phyllis Baxter
Director Emeritus
Interpretation Chair
phyllisb@afnha.org

Phyllis has been involved with AFHA since the beginning in 2001. A West Virginian by choice, she has lived in Randolph County since 1979 and raised her family here. She has a History degree from Oklahoma City University, Masters in American History from University of Texas Austin, and Certificate in Public History from WVU, with 30 years experience in public history and non-profit management. As the former Executive Director for Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area she provided leadership, oversight, and advocacy, as well overseeing the AFNHA AmeriCorps program as Program Director. She is now staying involved as a volunteer.

AmeriCorps Members

Our other 30+ AmeriCorps members serve at partner sites in our West Virginia counties. Though they are not technically staff, they are key to the work AFNHA does.