Staff
Charlie Burd
President – Charlie Burd became the executive director of the Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. (GO-WV) with its creation following the merger of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) into the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia (IOGA) on January 1, 2021. A name change made it GO-WV. Prior to the merger, Charlie had served as Executive Director to IOGA since July 2002. He was named President in 2024. His duties include managing the operations of the over 475-member trade association of oil and natural gas operators and those businesses that serve them. He also oversees GO-WV’s legislative efforts.
Prior to his trade association affiliation, Charlie enjoyed a 29-year career at Hope Gas, Inc., where he held a variety of marketing, economic development, and management positions. He holds an associate degree in accounting from Mountain State College, a Regents BA degree from Glenville State University and is a graduate of the University Of Oklahoma’s “Economic Development Institute.” He is a 2001 graduate of Leadership West Virginia.
Charlie serves on several industry advisory committees for West Virginia University, is active with the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the West Virginia Chamber, and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. Charlie is Governor Jim Justices’ official appointed state representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission where he served as the organization’s 1st Vice Chairman in 2020. In 2017, Charlie was honored as the “West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year.” In 2021, he was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to serve on the West Virginia Public Energy Authority.
Charlie and wife Leone reside in Vienna, WV. They have two sons: Nathan, a software engineer for a Morgantown based computer software consulting company, and Charlie, who consults to an international manufacturing firm in Bali, Indonesia.
Lori Miller Smith
Director of Administrative Services – Lori Miller Smith brings a wealth of experience to her work at the Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc., also known as GO-WV. She is Director of Administrative Services, including administering the IOGAWV insurance program, which, with her guidance and leadership, has grown into Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia’s largest fully funded insurance program in the state. Lori plans and directs the association’s yearly meetings and is responsible for all of GO-WV’s office and business functions. Prior to the 2020 merger of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, Inc. and the WV Oil and Natural Gas Association, she came to IOGAWV in 1995 after nearly twenty years of service to Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. At Cabot, she was the Regional Administrator and managed all office functions.
Lori was honored as the “2022 West Virginia Oil and Gas Person of the Year,” the first woman to be so honored by the West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival Board of Directors.
Lori is a graduate and member of the “Leadership West Virginia” program for select business professionals in West Virginia. She graduated cum laude and first in her class from West Virginia State University with an undergraduate degree in marketing, which she completed while being employed full-time and raising a family.
Outside her duties at GO-WV, she serves on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Society of Association Executives and the Women’s Energy Network and is active in other civic organizations. She was a charter member of the West Virginia Desk and Derrick Club and was also a charter member and past president of the Mountain State Desk and Derrick Club. She is a past Board Member of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. She received the Girl Scout “Thanks Badge” in 2017, a national recognition for Girl Scouts which honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire Council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.
Outside of her professional interests, she loves to travel and loves camping, movies, music and reading, and enjoys living in South Charleston with her family. She is married to Rick Smith and has two sons, Jason and Steven, two stepchildren, Courtney and Brandon, and five grandchildren.
Katie McCracken
Member Services Coordinator – Katie McCracken is a Member Services Coordinator for GO-WV. Katie originally came to then-IOGAWV in December 2018, first as a temporary employee, then ultimately being promoted to a permanent staff member in February 2019. Katie works primarily with the insurance program and its 100-plus company members. She assists in all other GO-WV activities, including the membership database, meeting planning and attendance at events.
Katie has one young son, Alex, whom she describes as “the love of her life.”
Jordan Bonnett
Member Services Coordinator – Jordan Bonnett is a Member Services Coordinator for GO-WV. Jordan came to GO-WV in December 2021, following his graduation from West Virginia State University. Jordan works primarily with the insurance program and its 100-plus company members. He assists in all other GO-WV activities, including the membership database, meeting planning and attendance at events.
Jordan has visited all state parks in West Virginia and loves flea markets, fitness and travel.
