Department: Talent Attraction & Retention
Email: clee5@mail.wvu.edu
Chris Lee is the Greater Elkins Area Experience Coordinator for the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative. In his role, Chris supports Ascend WV participants as they transition to life in the Greater Elkins area by fostering community connections, designing enriching programming, and showcasing the natural beauty and opportunities of this vibrant region. He strives to build a strong relationship between the Ascend WV program and the Greater Elkins community, a place he is proud to call home.
Chris holds a degree in News/Editorial Journalism from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University, where he also played rugby from 2002 to 2007. After graduating, he began his career as a staff writer for The Inter-Mountain in Elkins. For nine years, he served as manager of the Phil Gainer Community Center, where he built meaningful relationships and leveraged rental revenues to establish free youth programming.
An avid outdoorsman, Chris finds inspiration in the intricacies of nature. Whether hiking early morning trails, fishing in mountain streams, or skiing the slopes of Canaan Valley, he embraces the outdoor lifestyle that defines Elkins. He has completed both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail in their entirety through section hikes and enjoys spending time exploring Otter Creek Wilderness, Dolly Sods, and Laurel Fork Wilderness. In addition to hiking and skiing, Chris is passionate about Tenkara fishing, hunting, canoeing, rafting, and SCUBA diving.
Chris is deeply committed to his community. He serves as the Regional Coordinator for Randolph County Toys for Tots, which provides gifts to over 800 children each Christmas, and as Board President for Randolph County Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs, an annual event promoting outdoor recreation and educating youth on the dangers of substance abuse.
In his downtime, Chris cherishes meaningful time with his family, whether camping in state parks, exploring Monongahela National Forest, or traveling to new adventures. When it comes to local flavor, he’s a fan of Big Timber Brewing Company, calling their OG Orange Guava Sour Ale a personal favorite.