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Arria Hines

Arria Hines

CEO, Allegheny Science & Technology

2023 Inductee

As an entrepreneur, successful businesswoman, advisor, and mentor, Arria Hines is a recognized leader in West Virginia and in all the places where Allegheny Science & Technology operates. Arria’s passion to mentor and give back to small businesses and the community show why and how she has become a powerful, collaborative leader in today’s complex and rapidly evolving business and civic climate.

Indeed, Arria’s most treasured asset is her ability to spark connections between individuals representing different organizations and interests with the purpose of creating partnerships and alliances and generating forward momentum to “get things done” – and always with the goal of ensuring everyone benefits. Born and raised in Weston, West Virginia, Arria began her entrepreneurial journey over 30 years ago, earning her undergraduate degree in accounting at West Virginia Wesleyan College, then her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from West Virginia University. Arria’s enthusiasm and genuine, ever-present pleasant attitude – one that radiates a sincere passion to help people – led to her founding her first company in the basement of her home. In the years that followed, she navigated a successful career as a program manager for companies such as SAIC, PRC and Ranger Golf Corporation, where she provided oversight for projects and operations exceeding $120 million annual revenue. Finally, in 2009, she cofounded Allegheny Science & Technology (AST).

Over the course of the next eight years, Arria turned AST into one of America’s fastest growing privately held companies, transforming it from a two-person company with one government contract to one with nearly 240 employees and more than two dozen contracts across multiple federal agencies. As CEO of AST, Arria is an inspiring example for women CEOs in West Virginia and across the United States. In recognition of these achievements, in March 2016, the U.S. Business Administration (SBA) named Arria West Virginia’s 2016 Small Business Person of the Year. In March 2017, she was honored as TechConnect West Virginia’s 2017 “Spirit of Innovation Awards” Outstanding Woman in Technology. Arria also received the 2017 ‘Innovator of the Year’ Award from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Most recently, she received the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was amongst the recipients of Enterprising Woman Magazine’s Woman of the Year.

Today, Arria resides in Lewis County, West Virginia with her husband. She is a dedicated contributor to her community – giving back with every opportunity and keeping a special focus on support for small businesses in West Virginia. Arria currently serves on WVU’s Visiting Committee, TechConnect Board of Directors, West Virginia Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Council. She is also an advocate for the WV Public Speaker’s Bureau.