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YSS Hires Two Community-minded Professionals
Posted 02/07/19
WHEELING, W.Va. – Dec. 3, 2019 -- Youth Services System Inc. recently hired two community-minded professionals to join its administrative team: Julie Cunningham and Betsy Bethel-McFarland.
Cunningham is the new human resources director, responsible for providing quality human resources management, training and labor relations services to facilitate a productive and responsible workforce ready to meet the needs of area youth and young adults.
Cunningham has more than 20 years of human resources experience in a variety of settings and industries. Prior to joining YSS, she was the human resources manager at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP Global Operations Center in Wheeling. She began her career as the human resources director for the city of Wheeling, where she developed the human resources structure as it exists today and helped to organize the West Virginia Municipal Human Resources Association, serving as the first president. She then joined WesBanco Bank as the payroll/benefits manager. She is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Science in industrial and labor relations.
Cunningham is the vice president of the board of directors and on the personnel committee for Harmony House Children’s Advocacy Center in Wheeling, serves on the business advisory committee at West Virginia Northern Community College and is president of the Upper Ohio Valley chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. She and her husband Robert live in Wheeling with their sons, Max, 13, and Lucas, 12.
“Julie’s ability to strengthen the link between people and strategy, as well as manage, motivate and retain talent will be invaluable,” Youth Services CEO John Moses said. “We look to her to develop our human resources services in order to support long-term growth and continued success helping the children and families of our community.”
Bethel-McFarland is the communications manager and grant writer, responsible for directing public relations efforts; managing print, broadcast and social media campaigns; researching and applying for private, corporate and government grants; and working with the YSS development team on community outreach and special events.
A St. Clairsville native, Bethel-McFarland worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for 23 years in Indianapolis, Martins Ferry, Pittsburgh and Wheeling. Before joining YSS, she was the Life editor and design desk manager at The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, as well as editor of OV Parent magazine, a monthly publication for families in the Ohio Valley. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/journalism from Miami (Ohio) University.
Bethel-McFarland is a graduate of Leadership Wheeling, served on the Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley board of directors, was a Read Aloud tutor and was co-chair of the Community Impact Coalition, formerly the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. She plays the Highland bagpipes, performing and demonstrating at schools, public events and civic organizations and also leading the Macdonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh. She is co-owner of Mmm…Popcorn LLC in Wheeling with her husband, Dave. They serve as a friendship family for international students at West Liberty University and live in Martins Ferry with their 12-year-old daughter Emma.
“We are thrilled to have Betsy join our team,” Youth Services CEO John Moses said. “Her talent, experience and passion will support the mission of YSS in the community for years to come.”