Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series of feature stories highlighting the successes of West Virginia Women in Business.

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WV News) — Despite being a recent transplant, TechConnect WV Executive Director Ariana Shives has found her calling in helping residents achieve their dreams by strengthening support for rising tech entrepreneurs.

Shives, originally from Minnesota, attended the University of Southern California for both undergraduate and master’s degrees. After a brief stint in Raleigh, North Carolina, she moved to West Virginia just under four years ago.

She admitted there was some culture shock when she first arrived in the Mountain State, but said she quickly grew to love West Virginia and its people.

“There’s a tremendous sense of community here,” Shive

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