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Ability Works Recognition Ceremony

“Honoring individuals who have reached their vocational goals through perseverance and the support of the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.”

Message from Governor Morrisey

As Governor, I am proud to welcome you to the 2025 Ability Works Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Today, we honor remarkable West Virginians who, through perseverance and dedication, have achieved their vocational goals and built greater independence.

These honorees embody the values of hard work, determination, and resilience. They remind us that no challenge is too great when met with integrity and resolve. Their success stories reflect the very best of our state and serve as an inspiration to others striving to reach their own goals.

I also commend the team at the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Their commitment makes it possible for individuals across West Virginia to live, work, and contribute more fully to their communities. Their work strengthens families, communities, and our state as a whole.

On behalf of all West Virginians, I extend my congratulations to this year’s honorees. Your accomplishments are proof of what can be achieved when opportunity meets determination.

Sincerely,

Patrick Morrisey Governor of West Virginia

Message from Acting Director Gentry Cline

On behalf of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, I am honored to recognize the outstanding achievements of the individuals and businesses we celebrate at this year’s Ability Works Recognition Ceremony.

This event is not only about honoring those who have reached their vocational goals, but also about recognizing the dedicated staff, families, and employers who walk alongside them. Together, we demonstrate the power of inclusion—building workplaces and communities where everyone’s contributions matter.

I want to commend our DRS team for their tireless commitment and professionalism. Their efforts open doors to opportunity and help West Virginians achieve greater independence. Most importantly, today we celebrate the perseverance, courage, and accomplishments of our participants.

The success stories highlighted here are proof that when we work together—inclusively and with determination—we strengthen our communities and our state. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.

Sincerely,

Gentry Cline Acting Director West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services

Cole Allen

Certified Medical Assistant, St. Marys Medical Center

Overcoming Challenges, Building a Future

When Cole Allen first connected with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS), he was struggling in school due to epilepsy. Managing his condition and the side effects of medication made it difficult to keep up with academics, and many people around him assumed his opportunities would always be limited.

“It made everybody think, ‘He’s got this condition, he’s on a lot of medication, what do you expect?’” Allen recalled. “I thought I was a goner. I thought I would be lost behind.”

Through WV DRS, Allen discovered resources and accommodations that changed his trajectory. For example, he learned he qualified for extended test times, which helped him succeed on exams like the SAT. “I probably would not have passed my SATs if it were not for the DRS,” he said. “They helped me get back, or even above, the skill level required of me.”

With renewed confidence, Allen pursued training at Phlebotomy Plus Training Center in Ashland, Kentucky, and today works as a Certified Medical Assistant at the Electrophysiology Clinic at St. Marys Medical Center in Huntington.

Colleagues praise his determination, respect, and empathy. “Cole has great determination,” said Teresa Swecker, WV DRS district manager. “He continues to want to learn, so we expect he’ll do great things.”

Outside of work, Allen embraces his passions. He is restoring a 1978 Ford F-150 from his grandfather, learning guitar, and enjoying family jam sessions of bluegrass, country, and gospel. He lives with his parents as he saves to buy land for a future home and ultimately hopes to advance to an EKG Tech role. “I’m a hardworking Christian person,” Allen said. “The sky is the limit.”

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/coleallen

Tyler Ewaskey

Transportation Worker, WV Division of Highways

From Student to Skilled Transportation Worker

Every day, Tyler Ewaskey helps improve West Virginia’s roads as a Transportation Worker with the West Virginia Division of Highways (WV DOH). His journey to success began years earlier, when the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS) supported him in high school and prepared him for life after graduation.

Ewaskey, who has an intellectual disability that affects his reading and math skills, first connected with WV DRS as a ninth-grader at Weir High School. With encouragement and guidance, he gained both confidence and workplace readiness. “Tyler is a very sweet young man,” said Krista Diserio, Hancock County school counselor with WV DRS. “He’s able to self-advocate and he is a go-getter. Once he learns something, he puts his heart and soul into it.”

Through WV DRS, Ewaskey participated in work-based learning, including running a coffee shop at school to practice customer service, taking part in resume and interview workshops, and attending camps that built his job skills. Those experiences prepared him for meaningful employment.

In 2024, he joined the WV DOH, where he works as a laborer and helps clear roads during the winter. He has earned praise for his reliability, positive attitude, and strong work ethic. “One of the things that has impressed me the most is that he is one of the first guys here every morning,” said WV DOH Assistant County Administrator Donald Willey. “Tyler is prompt, respectful, and very reliable. He’s a real good employee.”

Outside of work, Ewaskey enjoys being outdoors, riding dirt bikes, and spending time with family and friends. Looking ahead, he plans to stay with the DOH and continue developing his skills. “I’m trying to get to adulthood and learn a lot more. Everyone helps me a lot,” he said.

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/tylerewaskey

Dr. John Prentice Psychologist, Valley Health Systems

Turning Challenges into a Career of Service

John Prentice, a psychologist at Valley Health Systems in Huntington, has turned his own challenges with learning disabilities into strengths that guide his work in mental health. A graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan and Marshall University, Prentice lives with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia—conditions that impact reading, writing, and math. With determination, support, and the right resources, he has built a career focused on helping others.

“For me, one of the biggest limits with my disability was the belief that I could not do things,” Prentice said. “I wasn’t aware of the workarounds or accommodations that exist, so that really affected my sense of self.”

His journey changed when he began working with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS) in 2012. His caseworker, Donna Cain, helped him secure ACT accommodations, pursue college, and stay motivated through setbacks. WV DRS also funded specialized neurocognitive therapy that improved his reading level dramatically—jumping from pre-kindergarten in college to sixth grade by graduation.

“I can confidently say that without DRS, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of what I’m doing now,” Prentice said. Today, Prentice is recognized for his empathy, perseverance, and commitment to underserved populations. At Valley Health Systems, he has expanded outreach for people experiencing homelessness and developed programming for the LGBT+ community. “He has tenacity and perseverance, and he wants to make a difference in the world,” Cain said.

A native of Elkins, Prentice enjoys connecting with people through audiobooks, video games, and antiquing. A self-described book nerd, he shares recommendations with colleagues and friends. “I love this community,” he said. “That’s why I want to serve it as long as I can.”

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/drjohnprentice

Shane Bell

QRT Coordinator, Community Connections

From Recovery to Leadership in Helping Others

Shane Bell’s journey has taken him from the challenges of chronic pain and addiction to a fulfilling career helping others. A McDowell County native, Bell once worked in emergency medical services, but his career was cut short by degenerative disc disease and a congenital ankle deformity. These health struggles brought chronic pain, mobility issues, and eventually led to substance dependence and legal troubles.

Determined to rebuild his life, Bell explored careers that would not require strenuous physical labor. Remembering how the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS) had supported his brother, he reached out for guidance. He connected with vocational rehabilitation counselor Russell Hazelwood, who quickly recognized his empathy, communication skills, and desire to help others.

Bell gained experience with Community Connections, a nonprofit serving 11 counties in southern West Virginia. Originally, he joined to complete 500 hours toward his Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification. His natural ability to connect with people impressed leadership so much that he was soon

hired as a Quick Response Team (QRT) specialist—and later promoted to QRT coordinator, where he now oversees the team.

“The key part, regardless of any certification, is having the tact and compassion to work with folks that need help,” said Jamie Stein, deputy director of Community Connections. “Shane has that gift. When he starts working with someone as a stranger, right after that they become friends or colleagues.”

Now eight years sober, Bell continues to grow the QRT program and hopes to expand its reach across West Virginia. A single father, he treasures time with his son fishing, grilling, and listening to music. Reflecting on his journey, Bell said, “Just because you’ve done things in your past doesn’t mean you cannot prevail in life. You can still move forward.”

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/shanebell

Nathan Stiffler

Youth Pastor, Memorial Heights Baptist Church

Called to Serve, Equipped to Lead

Nathan Stiffler serves as youth pastor at Memorial Heights Baptist Church in Cumberland, Maryland, where he leads and coordinates ministries for the church’s teenagers. His path to ministry was inspired by his own youth pastor.

“I originally wanted to be a mechanic,” Stiffler said. “But my youth pastor was very influential in my life, and I just wanted to help people in the same way he helped me. God put that in my heart and called me to be a pastor.”

Born with partial hearing loss in both ears, Stiffler’s disability primarily affects his ability to perceive higher-pitched sounds. Often, he must turn his head to the left to optimize hearing with his better ear. That changed when he connected with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS), which supported him through his education and financial aid process.

With the guidance of WV DRS vocational counselor Monty Hogbin, Stiffler enrolled at Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope and graduated in 2023 with a degree in Bible and theology and a minor in pastoral studies.

Hogbin described him as dependable, honest, and determined—traits that serve him well in ministry. Those qualities are also recognized by his lead pastor, D.J. Richie. “He’s very honest, he’s very sincere, he’s able to connect on a personal level with the kids,” Richie said. Stiffler also contributes by playing drums for the praise team, maintaining the church website, and producing video announcements. “He’s been great to jump in wherever he can serve,” Richie added.

Outside of ministry, Stiffler enjoys sports and family time with his wife Albina, their young son, and an 11-year-old niece they are in the process of adopting. “I’m perfectly content being a youth pastor,” he said. “I can see myself doing this until I retire.”

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/nathanstiffler

Andrew Cole Zulauf

Vending Machine Business Owner/Operator

Building a Business, Creating Opportunity

Andrew Cole Zulauf is the proud owner and operator of a vending machine business that serves customers across Putnam and Kanawha counties. Each day, he stocks and refills his machines with snacks and drinks, providing friendly service with the dedication of someone who truly enjoys his work.

Zulauf was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that gradually damages the retina and leads to vision loss. For many years, it didn’t create major obstacles—until adulthood, when his vision impairment made it impossible to keep his driver’s license. “My eye doctor wouldn’t sign off on my license and immediately after that I lost my job,” Zulauf recalled. “I was unemployed for eight months to a year. That lit something in me to figure out my next step in life.”

That next step came with the help of the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS). Working with vocational counselor Meredith Perry, Zulauf received assistive technology, startup funds, and access to the Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program.

This program not only provided the tools to launch his business but also allowed him to hire an employee to assist with transportation and daily operations.

“Cole is basically his own boss and I perceive that he has a very bright future,” Perry said. “He can c ontinue to expand his business if he wants, hire employees—whatever he wants to do.”

Zulauf says the work gives him purpose, keeps him active, and connects him with people every day. A self-described people person, he values the relationships he builds with customers and colleagues. “All of these people have helped me get to where I am today, and I could not have done it without them,” he said.

With determination and support, Zulauf has turned challenge into opportunity— and built a career on his own terms.

Scan the QR code to read the full story! https://wvdrs.org/andrewcolezulauf

Tracy Carr In Memoriam

We honor the life and legacy of Tracy Carr, whose service and dedication to the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services left a lasting mark on our agency, our partners, and the many individuals we serve. Tracy’s unwavering commitment to helping others strengthened the Division’s mission and expanded opportunities for people across West Virginia. Her compassion, professionalism, and belief in the potential of every person embody the very best of what WVDRS stands for.

Though she is no longer with us, Tracy’s contributions continue to shape the growth of the Division and the delivery of vital support to our communities. Her spirit of service lives on in the countless lives she touched.

Thank You to the Coaches and Mentors Who Make Success Possible!