SENATE RESOLUTION 36

(By Senators Clements, Carmichael (Mr. President), Arvon, Azinger, Baldwin, Beach, Blair, Boley, Boso, Cline, Drennan, Facemire, Ferns, Gaunch, Jeffries, Karnes, Mann, Maroney, Maynard, Ojeda, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Stollings, Swope, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, Weld, and Woelfel)

[Introduced February 12, 2018]

Memorializing the life of Jan Vineyard, wife, mother, and dedicated public servant.

Whereas, Jan Vineyard was born May 16, 1956, to Charles and Wanda Smith.  Jan grew up in Nitro, WV, and graduated from Nitro High School in 1974.  She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on 21st Street; and 

Whereas, Jan Vineyard always credited her parents with giving her the support and the cornerstone values for her life—a strong faith, a willingness to work hard, and always treating everyone with respect.  These traits always served her well throughout all parts of her life; and

Whereas, After graduating from Nitro High School, Jan Vineyard went on to Marshall University where she ultimately earned an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree.  Her first career after college was with Ashland Oil in Ashland, Kentucky.  There she was responsible for logistics and transportation scheduling for crude oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products.  Later with Ashland, Jan moved into a sales position where her education, her industry knowledge, and her way with people combined to make her an instant success; and 

Whereas, Jan Vineyard was so successful that one of her competitor’s in West Virginia eventually convinced her to leave Ashland Oil to become the president of the petroleum marketing industry’s trade association serving member-businesses throughout the state.  Over the years, Jan’s leadership and vision led to the successful expansion of the association’s scope and membership through a number of mergers and joint ventures; and 

Whereas, In 2015, in recognition of all of her successes, Jan was elected to Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business’s Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Through all of her endeavors in the business world, Jan Vineyard always believed that the education she received at Nitro and at Marshall served as the foundation for all the success that followed; and

Whereas, Jan Vineyard volunteered as a board member on a number of advisory and governance boards including the Marshall University College of Business, Marshall’s Yeager Scholars Board, and the Marshall University Foundation Board.  For a number of years she chaired the Board of Governors for the Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College and, later, its successor, BridgeValley Community and Technical College.  Jan was a graduate of Leadership West Virginia and later chaired its board of directors.  She served on the board of directors of Edgewood Summit, the West Virginia Business and Industry Council, the West Virginia Society of Association Executives, and was appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways.  For her ongoing efforts supporting transportation safety in West Virginia, she was named as Highway Safety Champion of the Year in 2013 by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program; and

Whereas, Jan Vineyard focused a lot of her time supporting various charities that help West Virginia children and families in need.  She led her organizations’ members to support multiple fundraising drives every year to raise money for these charities.  Over the years, these included Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Charleston YMCA, Children’s Miracle Network, and West Virginia Children’s Home Society.  Through her leadership, Jan’s organizations raised millions of dollars for these charities.  Of everything she accomplished, Jan was most proud of this; and

Whereas, Jan Vineyard was married to her beloved husband, Gary Vineyard, for 34 years, with whom she shared the joy of having one son, Craig; and

Whereas, Sadly, Jan Vineyard passed away on May 30, 2017, bringing an end to a productive life of public service and leaving behind a host of family and friends all of whom will miss her dearly; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of Jan Vineyard, wife, mother, and dedicated public servant; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its most sincere condolences to the family of Jan Vineyard; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Jan Vineyard.