WHEELING — Marshall University President Brad Smith is coming to Wheeling to talk about how best to improve West Virginia.

Smith will be the featured speaker for the next “Lunch With Leaders” event organized by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is set for June 12 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace, with registration beginning at 11 a.m., and lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon is expected to last until 1 p.m.

Those interested in attending may pre-register at the chamber website, business.wheelingchamber.com/events/.

“The chamber had some connections with some folks who were able to get a hold of him (Smith),” explained Chamber President Kurt Zende. “It’s wonderful he is coming up.”

It won’t be a conventional speech where the speaker stands at a podium.

Zende added that Smith is bringing with him his legal counsel, Tony Stroud. The two are expected to have a one-on-one discussion, with Stroud facilitating the conversation.

“They are going to talk about what Marshall University is doing to move the state forward. It should be a really great event,” Zende said.

Before Marshall named Smith university president, he had made a major impact in Silicon Valley. The Kenova native was a longtime executive at Intuit, climbing to the job of president and CEO from 2008-19 and executive chairman from 2019 until taking the reins at Marshall in 2022.

Smith is also co-founder of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife Alys.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to expanding access to education, providing entrepreneurship mentoring and investment, and strengthening communities in West Virginia. The Smiths also have donated $10 million to Marshall for a scholarship fund helping students in underserved communities, as well as another $25 million to MU’s schools of business to create the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator, which immerses students and community members in entrepreneurship and innovation. Brad Smith also currently serves on the boards of directors at both Humana and Amazon.

Marshall’s influence is felt in the Northern Panhandle right now. The university is partnering with West Liberty University for a bachelor of science in aviation – commercial pilot: fixed wing program at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport.

The “Lunch With Leaders” event is a fundraiser that also functions as the chamber’s annual meeting, he continued. There will be a presentation about what the chamber has done, and where it is going.

The idea is for it to be “motivational,” “informative” and “a fun time,” he said.

“But it is also very important from the financial perspective,” Zende continued. “We do raise money, and it gives our members a chance to invest in the community and get the word out as being a community-minded business.”

The cost to attend is $60 for chamber members, $75 for non-members; $50 for Marshall University students and alumni; and $45 for veterans. Sponsorships and tables are also available for purchase.

Those wanting to secure a sponsorship should call Mike Howard, chamber vice president, at 304-312-1048, or email him at MHoward@WheelingChamber.com.