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Veterans from Parkersburg honored

Matthew “Matt” Humphrey, Bernard J. “Bernie” Lyons Sr., and Parkersburg Police Chief Joseph E. “Joe” Martin, veterans from Parkersburg, were chosen by United Bank to be honored at The Greenbrier for their military service as part of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier PGA Tour event. From left, Humphrey, Lyons, United Bank Chairman of the Board and CEO Richard Adams and Martin. The three were honored Tuesday at the The Greenbrier Salute to Service Dinner. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — As part of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, a PGA Tour event formerly known as The Greenbrier Classic, and in unification with Patriot Day, United Bank with The Greenbrier honored three Parkersburg veterans on Tuesday at The Greenbrier Salute to Service Dinner.

As a result of United Bank’s sponsorship of the internationally televised tournament, United Bank was able to recommend three individuals for recognition.

United selected: Joseph E. “Joe” Martin, Parkersburg Chief of Police and U.S. Marine Corps veteran; Matthew “Matt” Humphrey, United Bank executive vice president and head of Wealth and Investment management, chief executive officer of United Brokerage Services and U.S. Army veteran; and Bernard J. “Bernie” Lyons Sr., retired vice president of Hartley Oil Co. and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Since the 2010 inaugural tournament, United Bank has been a founding member and major sponsor of the tournament, which showcases the state of West Virginia and attracts participants and spectators from around the world.

Tom Ridge, former United States secretary of Homeland Security, was the master of ceremonies for the event, which was held in the Colonial Hall at The Greenbrier.

“United Bank stands proudly in support of the members of The United States Armed Services, veterans, our country’s first responders and all patriots who serve to protect our nation and our freedoms,” said United Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Adams. “We were honored to showcase the service of three of these heroic individuals.”

In November 2009, Martin became the youngest chief of police in the history of the Parkersburg Police Department.

He began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 1997 and during this five-year stint was selected to join the department’s S.W.A.T. team and firearms unit. Martin served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1991 through 1995.

In 2002, Martin was chosen to work in the investigation division as a detective and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2006. In that role, he served on a multi-jurisdictional drug task force known as the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force.

In 2012, Martin was selected to attend the FBI National Academy and graduated with a class of 251. Martin resides in Parkersburg with his wife, Tracy, and two children.

Prior to joining United Bank, Humphrey served in multiple leadership positions as an Army aviation officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot in Korea, Central America, Afghanistan and the United States. He earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University with concentrations in finance, strategy and entrepreneurship.

He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with degrees in economics and civil engineering.

At United, Humphrey is responsible for the management of and strategic planning for United Brokerage Services and United Wealth Management. Previously, he served in the Private Wealth Management Group of Goldman Sachs where he advised high-net-worth families, foundations and institutions. A native of Parkersburg, Humphrey now resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Marin, and son.

Lyons joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1955, served at Parris Island and was honorably discharged April 1964. Serving mostly active reserve time, his commitment to serving has never stopped. Lyons volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital upon retiring in 2000 after 24 years as vice president at Hartley Oil Co., but after 9/11, “I knew I had to do more,” he said.

In response, he has worked on three Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments, located in Vienna, Marietta and Parkersburg. He is active with the Veterans Special Projects. Projects have included bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to the Mid-Ohio Valley and rebuilding the WWII Memorial at the Parkersburg City Park.

In addition, he started the Marine Corps Veterans Association Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon of West Virginia and Ohio. Lyons and his wife, Terry, adopt Army and Marine Company units to send needed supplies. In addition, they work with local schools, Veterans and the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation on projects. Lyons and his wife reside in Vienna and share the joys of six adult children and their families.

United Bank is a subsidiary of United Bankshares, the largest publicly traded company headquartered in West Virginia.

A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier is a PGA TOUR event that began in 2010 on the historic Old White TPC Course at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.

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