Greater Huntington Wall of Fame
Annually, the City of Huntington Foundation recognizes up to four individuals who have made significant contributions to the greater Huntington area through civic or political achievements, artistic endeavors, athletic accomplishments, and/or acting as an outstanding ambassador for Huntington. Each autumn, the foundation hosts it's annual "Greater Huntington Wall of Fame" awards dinner to announce new inductees into this special hall of recognition. Anyone, outside of the foundation's Board of Directors, can submit a nomination for an individual who may be worthy of selection. Nominations are received until June 30th each year. Members of the foundation select each year's honorees from nominations received from the community as a whole. After the awards dinner, brass plaques featuring the names and pictures of the honorees are added to the wall at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. For submission criteria, please contact the foundation at (304) 696-5522
The City of Huntington Foundation, Inc is seeking nominations for the 2025 Greater Huntington Wall of Fame. Nominations will be accepted through July 15, 2025 with the celebration scheduled on November 6, 2025 at the Mountain Health Arena. Nominee must be a Huntingtonian, if not native-born, the nominee must have lived in the Huntington area for a minimum of ten years. Have performed a community service from which the entire Huntington area has benefited. (and/or) Have achieved national recognition in his or her chosen field and acted as ambassador for the Huntington area. Members of the City of Huntington Foundation, Inc. are not permitted to make nominations. Elected federal, state, county or municipal; officials are not eligible for nomination. The public at-large submits portfolios including the nominee’s detailed information, support documents and letters of support. Nominations must include a picture, a biographical sketch with descriptions of accomplishments including supporting documentation and must have 3 – 5 letters of recommendation. Please contact Maxine Loudermilk, President at 304-654-1471 prior to preparing and submitting a nomination for consideration.
2025 Wall of Fame Inductees
August, 27, 2025
The City of Huntington Foundation Inc.’s
Greater Huntington Wall of Fame
2025 Induction Ceremony
The City of Huntington Foundation will be inducting five local citizens for their
outstanding contributions to our community. They are:
Robert (Bob) Bailey
Melanie P. Hall
John H. (Jack) Houvouras
Jan. K Rader
George T. Smailes, Jr.
The date is November 6, 2025 (Thursday) at the Mountain Health Arena. The
starting times are 6:00pm Reception, 7:00pm Dinner with the ceremony at 8:00pm.
Ticket prices are $2,000 Corporate table (seats 8), $1,000 Half Corporate table
(seats 4) and individual tickets are $200.
Contact Maxine Loudermilk, President for information and to purchase tickets for
the event. Telephone number 304-654-1471 or 304-696-5522.
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Robert “Bob” Bailey
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Melanie Perry Hall Melanie Perry Hall was born in Cabell County, Huntington, WV, but moved to a farm in Wayne County when she was in the fourth grade. The family farm later became known as Heritage Farm Museum and Village. After graduation from Vinson High School, Melanie fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse by obtaining her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marshall University and her master’s degree in nursing from West Virginia University. Melanie’s desire to be a nurse and give back to her community was fueled by observing many other adults around her serve their community, including her parents, Mike and Henriella Perry, family, church family, friends, and business leaders. Melanie began her nursing career in the pediatric unit of Cabell Huntington Hospital before moving to community health nursing with a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC) organization, Valley Health Systems, Inc. in Huntington WV. During her 25 years at Valley Health Systems, Melanie began as a registered nurse and then moved into administration in both urban and rural healthcare settings. Her work included the development and administration of primary health care centers, behavioral health, dentistry, and school health programs. In 2014, her career changed when she was selected to lead Hospice of Huntington as its third President and CEO. Hospice of Huntington, which has provided hospice care since 1982, had been well-established by her predecessors and fellow nurses, Laura Darby and Charlene Farrell. Yet, a growing need for additional services for people living with serious illness was identified. Under Melanie’s leadership, hospice services were expanded and three new service lines—home palliative medicine, caregiving services and medical adult day care centers--were added under the name of Tri-State LifeCare. In researching medical adult day care centers, it was discovered that most other states in the nation had medical adult day centers, while West Virginia had none. The regulatory, licensing and reimbursement streams for this service line had to be developed through collaboration with many state and local entities. Tri-State LifeCare AdultDay became the first licensed medical adult day care center in WV and began serving the community in September 2023. This center allows aging adults and those living with serious illness to thrive and to remain safely in their homes longer, as well as providing respite and support for caregivers. Services at the medical adult day care center can include social activities, skilled nursing services including medication administration, assistance with personal care needs, meals as well as amenities e.g., medical services, physical therapy, medical massage therapy, dietary counseling, hair care, and laundry services. Melanie currently serves as the Chairperson for the Hospice Council of West Virginia, the Vice Chair for the West Virginia Hospice and Palliative Care Network, President of the WV Geriatric Society, Dementia Friendly Huntington and a member of the National Adult Day Services Association and its Policy and Advocacy Committee. She serves her community as member of the Mountwest Community & Technical College Board of Governors, a member of the Huntington Federal Savings Bank Board of Directors, a member of the Huntington Rotary Club and is active at New Baptist Church. Melanie was inducted into WV Executive Magazine’s Health Care Hall of Fame for 2024. Melanie is a lifelong resident of Huntington. She and her husband, Mark, have two married adult children. She is grateful to live in Huntington with her immediate and extended family close by. Her love and gratitude not only for her family, but the community who helped to raise and educate her, inspires her to serve her community daily for as many days as the Lord allows. |
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Jack Houvouras
Jack Houvouras is a Huntington native and graduate of Marshall University where he earned a B.A. in Journalism in 1988. Inspired by his love of Huntington, he founded the Huntington Quarterly magazine in 1989 at the age of 24. From the start, the magazine’s mission was to showcase the many positive aspects of life in Huntington. Some people in the community predicted the venture would fail within a year, but the magazine is now in its 36th year. The magazine features personality profiles, local history, homes, business, sports, travel, dining, entertainment and more. Some prominent individuals featured on the cover of the magazine have included Soupy Sales, Verna Gibson, Chuck Yeager, Paul Newman, Randy Moss, Jan Rader, Tyler Childers, Carter G. Woodson and Brad Smith. “No one has done more in the last four decades to promote the city and identify what is best about our community than Jack Houvouras,” said Huntington attorney Marc Williams. Houvouras would go on to establish HQ Publishing Co. and produce magazines for Marshall University, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Cabell Huntington Hospital, the West Virginia State Bar, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and more. He was recognized for his business acumen when he was named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the West Virginia Small Business Administration in 1994 and “Business Innovator of the Year” (along with his brothers Tom and Rick) by The Herald-Dispatch in 2014. Despite his success in business, Houvouras said he is first and foremost a writer, and one of his proudest achievements was being inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism Hall of Fame in 2021. Because his family always believed in giving back to the community, he became active in such organizations as the West Virginia Special Olympics, Junior Achievement, the St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation, the Huntington YMCA and Little Victories Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats. In 2018 he established the John H. Houvouras Scholarship for Journalism at Marshall University. “Being elected to the Greater Huntington Wall of Fame is the greatest honor of my life, and it holds special meaning because I will be joining my late father, Andrew J. Houvouras, who was inducted in 1997,” said Houvouras. |
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Jan K. Rader
Jan K. Rader was born in Ironton, Ohio on June 28, 1965. She is the daughter of Robert and Mary Kay Rader. After graduating from Ironton High School in 1983, she attended Marshall University for a couple of years before attending the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California which lead to an 8-year career in the jewelry industry. While working in the Washington, DC area Jan was introduced to the profession of firefighting. Ms. Rader joined the Huntington Fire Department in August of 1994. While serving as a firefighter, Jan was able to continue her education at both Marshall University and Ohio University. She holds a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University and an Associates Degree of Science in Nursing from Ohio University. Ms. Rader is the first woman to reach the rank of Chief for a career department in the State of West Virginia. Jan holds many fire service certifications and is also a Fire and EMS Instructor in the State of West Virginia. Chief Rader came to national prominence after the release of the short documentary “Heroin(e)” by Netflix in September of 2017. Then in April of 2018, she was chosen as one of Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Soon after, Chief Rader gave a moving TED Talk about what it takes to save a life during the opioid crisis. A true ambassador for Huntington and West Virginia, Jan has appeared on many local and national news programs such as NPR’s A1, Meet the Press, and CBS This Morning. The awards that Ms. Rader has received over the years for her dedication and service to others include The State Journal’s Who’s Who In West Virginia Business Award (2018), The American Legion National Firefighter of the Year (2019), and the WOWK-TV Remarkable Woman of the Tri-State Award (2020). Chief Rader retired from the City of Huntington Fire Department in February of 2022 and currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Mayor focusing on creating a collaborative approach with community partners to address the complexities of homelessness, substance use disorder, and severe mental illness. |
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GEORGE T. SMAILES, JR.
Born in Montgomery, West Virginia, on December 18, 1949, to the late George Sr. and Betty Smailes, George Smailes’ life has been defined by service, leadership, and dedication to community. His education began at Oley Elementary and continued through Oley Junior High before he graduated from Huntington East High School in 1967. He then attended Marshall University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1971. During his years at Marshall, George joined ZETA BETA TAU Fraternity, forming lifelong bonds with his fraternity brothers that remain a cherished part of his story. In 1968, while still a student, George began part-time work at the Huntington YMCA as Building Supervisor. What started as a college job soon became a life’s calling. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position, beginning what would become 49 years of faithful service to the YMCA and to the Huntington community. Over the years, George served in many roles—Supervisor, Physical Director, Assistant Director, Associate Executive Director, and ultimately, Director. Throughout his career, George’s leadership and vision shaped countless programs that enriched lives. With the support of staff and volunteers, he helped create The Encourage Program, launched YMCA soccer and daycare initiatives, and partnered with St. Mary’s Medical Center to establish Kids In Motion, a program designed to fight childhood obesity. He also taught Physical Education and Health at St. Joseph Middle and High School, raising funds to support YMCA youth programs. In later years, George spearheaded an initiative, that included Jack Jones, Phil Cline, and the YMCA Board of Directors, to launch the Capital Campaign that made possible the construction of the new gym at the Phil Cline YMCA. He also partnered with Marshall University’s Athletic Department to help provide the Marshall Baseball team with a home field—now known as the George T. Smailes Sr. Baseball Field, honoring his father’s dedication to the community. Beyond titles and projects, George’s greatest fulfillment came from working directly with youth. For him, the YMCA was always more than an organization—it was a safe, fun, and healthy place where every child felt they belonged. His tireless efforts helped create a community space that nurtured growth, belonging, and opportunity for all. None of these accomplishments, George has often noted, would have been possible without the dedication of the YMCA Board of Directors, his colleagues, volunteers, and the broader community. His nearly five decades of service stand as a testament to his commitment to others, his belief in the power of community, and his passion for creating opportunities for youth. As George Smailes is honored in the City of Huntington Foundation’s Greater Huntington Wall of Fame, his legacy remains an inspiration—a reminder that a life dedicated to service leaves an impact that endures for generations. |
Congratulations to all of the Inductees