H. Smoot Fahlgren
As a successful businessman and active leader in the state, H. Smoot Fahlgren is an outstanding example of business excellence. Fahlgren began his business ventures in outdoor advertising, and in 1962 he formed an advertising agency in Parkersburg.
Born in Parkersburg, W.Va., Fahlgren received a bachelors' degree in advertising and marketing from the University of Virginia and Ohio's Marietta College. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army Security Agency in Boston and Washington, D.C.
The Fahlgren Agency became one of the largest in the country outside of New York City, with offices in Parkersburg, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, and Tampa. The company had approximately 250 employees and $250 million in sales when it was sold to the Interpublic Group of Companies. The Fahlgren Agency became privately held in 1994 when it bought itself back from Interpublic.
As chairman emeritus, Fahlgren continues to play an active role in the company he created. His success in business was recognized when he was included in Bart Cummings list of the advertising world's "Benevolent Dictators" and invited to the Advertising Club of New York's "Lunch of the Century" in 1984.
Fahlgren has brought his advertising expertise to Parkersburg and the state in many ways. He was treasurer of the American Associates of Advertising Agencies for two terms. Since 1984, he has served on the board of directors of United Bankshares, Inc., and he is a board member of the West Virginia University Foundation. He has contributed significant funds to WVU.
Fahlgren has also been involved in the Wood County Airport Authority, Government and Foundations Committee for the Parkersburg Art Center, the Economic Development Committee for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Committee of the Parkersburg Better Government Association, the West Virginia Roundtable, and Boy Scouts of America. In addition, he was a deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Parkersburg.