Photo by Derek Redd Expand Energy Operations Manager Shawn Jackson talks to Leadership Wheeling class members about his company and the natural gas industry as a whole at the class' session Thursday at Wheeling Park's White Palace.

The latest class of Leadership Wheeling got a closer look Thursday at the energy industry, one of the Ohio Valley’s most integral businesses.

Representatives from Expand Energy addressed the 25-person Leadership Wheeling class of 2026 on Thursday at Wheeling Park’s White Palace to give them a better idea of, not only what the company does in the region, but what the industry as a whole means to the community.

“It’s a great opportunity to get in front of 25 area business leaders and just talk about who we are, what we do, how we do it safely, how we give back to the communities we operate in and what kind of giving we’re looking for,” said Stephanie Paluda, community relations manager at Expand. “We’re also just talking about the importance of natural gas and what we’re doing here, and how we can show up to a place like this, flip on the light switch and stay warm.”

This is the third year Expand has worked with Leadership Wheeling to present an “Energy Day.” This year, it actually will be two days. A planned trip to a well pad has been postponed to April due to the frigid weather and snow the Ohio Valley was hit with this past week.

Leadership Wheeling is a 16-week leadership course with eight sessions that include guest speakers, trips to local businesses and discussions on how to reinforce leadership qualities. The program was established in 1987 and is the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce’s longest-running program.

Chamber President Jen Materkoski said it was important that people taking their maiden steps in leadership within the community get the opportunity to learn more about the region, the businesses that reside there and the importance of those businesses in Wheeling and the surrounding area.

“The participants in this class now are going to be the ones leading initiatives five and 10 years from now and making an impact in Wheeling further down the road,” Materkoski said. “The important part is making sure that we’re in tune with how the landscape is changing and incorporating it back into the program.”