Skip to main content

The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

College of Media alumna inducted into West Virginia Business Hall of Fame

Linda Arnold at WV Business Hall of Fame

Author, speaker and syndicated columnist Linda Arnold (BSJ, 1976) was inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame on August 28. She was honored at a ceremony and reception at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, along with fellow honorees Andrew J. Paterno, CEO of Centurion Insurance Services, LLC and Brad Smith, chairman and CEO of Intuit.

Arnold is the founder and former chairman and CEO of The Arnold Agency, a multi-state agency with offices in West Virginia, Montana and Washington, D.C., specializing in healthcare marketing, telecommunications, banking, energy and franchised business. Prior to founding her agency, Arnold was the director of communications and press secretary for John D. Rockefeller IV during his time as governor.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition.Being inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame - and joining the esteemed group of former recipients and business leaders - is truly humbling.I credit the support of our state,great employees and partners, and a lot of blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul along the way as we followed our passion," said Arnold. "The education I got at the Reed College of Media - and my continued involvement - has been invaluable.I remain grateful, and I look forward to channeling my energy, ambition and drive into opportunities to make a difference!”

Throughout her career, Arnold has been recognized with numerous awards including the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from Ernst Young, the “Woman of Achievement” award from the YWCA and “Who’s Who is West Virginia Business” from The State Journal. Her agency work earned more than 200 Addy, Crystal and Telly awards. She is a member of the P.I. Reed Society at the College of Media and has served on the College’s visiting committee.

The West Virginia Business Hall of Fame was established in 2001 by the WVU College of Business and Economics to recognize business leaders who have strong ties to West Virginia and have made a significant impact on the business landscape. Recipients are nominated by the public and chosen by the Hall of Fame Committee.