MEET THE JUDGES

Meet our esteemed panel of judges for the Build-Up Berkeley competition! These distinguished individuals come from various sectors of the business world, bringing a wealth of diverse expertise and unique insights to the table. Each judge understands the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship firsthand. Their discerning eyes will evaluate each business plan and pitch with precision, searching for innovation, feasibility, and potential for impact. Their role is pivotal in ensuring the integrity of the competition and selecting the deserving winners. Their commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Berkeley County is truly commendable. 

Mary Hott

Mary is the Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) Program Manager for the WV Small Business Development Center (SBDC) where she has also worked as a business coach for the last eight years. A native of Morgan County, she spent over 20 years in the Boston high-tech business community as a software engineer, product manager and marketing director. 

Justin Henry

Justin Henry is a lifelong resident of Berkeley County.  He is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County, Inc which is a sister company to Panhandle Builders and Excavating, Inc. where Justin is also an operating manager.

Penny Porter

Penny has been with the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle since early 2015, serving first as the Director of Community Impact and becoming CEO in August 2016.  Prior to joining United Way, Penny served for 21 years in the office of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. 

Diego Losada

Diego Losada is a real estate investor and developer. He is currently focused on the economic and historic revitalization of Downtown Martinsburg, WV where he owns approximately 90 commercial, office, retail and residential units, including seven Airbnb’s.

Jillian Wyand

Jillian Wyand is the owner of Westwood Charm Boutique located at 145 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. Jillian is the recipient of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce 2021 Small Business of the Year Award.

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She returned home to West Virginia in 2006 to run the nonprofit Morgan Arts Council as its executive director. Mary earned her M.S. in Information Systems from the Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering in Boston, a B.A. from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and a marketing certification from Harvard University Extension School. She is also a Certified Business Advisor (CBA®) through Kent State University. Mary has launched and grown her own businesses, including a music production company here in her home state.

Justin Henry is a lifelong resident of Berkeley County. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County, Inc which is a sister company to Panhandle Builders and Excavating, Inc. where Justin is also an operating manager. In addition, Justin, is also a Real Estate Broker and Vice President of Panhandle Real Estate Group, Inc. His focus is on residential and commercial development in Berkeley County ranging from residential housing communities, new home construction, commercial development, commercial construction, and commercial real estate investment. Having grown up in Spring Mills, Justin is a graduate of Hedgesville High School and Shepherd University. He has previously served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, Vice President for the Board of Realtors, BCT’s Advisory Board and several other local board committees. Currently, he services as Treasurer for the WVU Hospitals East Foundation, Treasurer for Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation board and will be the Chairman of the Board for the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce for 2024. Justin was in the West Virginia Young Guns Class of 2021. Outside of work he loves to spend his time with is wife of 14 years Adrienne and his 3 kids, Peyton, Parker and Paxton in the outdoors.

She is an active Rotary member, including Past-President and Past-Assistant District Governor for the service organization; she serves on the Health and Human Services Collaborative, the Healthy Smiles Board, and she is an Elder with Tuscarora Presbyterian Church.  Having grown up in Martinsburg, she is a Hedgesville High and Shepherd graduate.  As a McMurran Scholar, Penny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a minor in Theater; she is happy to be raising her two daughters, Paige and Phoebe, in her hometown with her husband, David.  Rounding out their family is their German Shepherd, Dexter, and rescue cats, Skipper and Gilmore.

Prior to that, Mr. Losada was Vice President for Analytics at Fannie Mae where he worked for almost 20 years developing commercial and residential real estate insights to advance the national mortgage industry. Mr. Losada has a Masters of Arts in Economics from the Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Science in Finance from the George Washington University. He is a father of three and enjoys golfing and outdoor adventures in the weekends.

She is a Board Member with Main Street Martinsburg, and an active member of her community. After graduating from Hedgesville High School, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a focus on Non-Profit Accounting. She spent close to 18 years in the Finance industry until she decided to follow her passion of owning her own business. At Westwood Charm Boutique, the motto says it all, Be Bold. Be Unique. Be You. and Jillian manifests just that in her stylish, comfortable and inspirational boutique shop in Downtown Martinsburg. Customers can expect a size inclusive selection to meet the needs of many while exploring our growing community. She currently lives in Falling Waters with her husband, three fabulous children, and too many animals to name!