Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Following graduation from Pocahontas County High School, there is no limit as to what students can accomplish.
When Kristy Kane Rhea graduated in 1998, she set her sights on Bridgewater College in Virginia, where she found not only a degree, but a career.
“I came here as a freshman in 1998 and graduated in O-two and have been here ever since,” she said. “I walked across the stage and started working the next day.”
Rhea was undecided when she started college, not sure if she wanted to do something in the athletic field or computer science. It was her time as a library aide at PCHS that led her to choose the latter.
“I was always interested in computers and when Retta Blankenship was our librarian at Pocahontas, I had one of my class periods as a library aide,” Rhea recalled. “She didn’t have me as a library aide, though. She had me installing one of our first computer labs and running wires all over the school.
“I really credit her with whetting my appetite in this field,” she continued. “I credit her and the experience she gave me in high school to kind of direct where I am today.”
While she was earning her degree in computer information systems, Rhea did a work study with the IT center, which led to her employment at the college.
“I worked in the IT center that entire time,” she said. “A position came open to be an IT technician my senior year and they asked me if I wanted it and I said, ‘sure.’”
At one point Rhea worked with another PCHS graduate, Ann Burns Keeler, who has since retired.
Through the years, Rhea rose up the ranks and is now the vice president of information technology and chief information officer.
“I’m over all of information technology and facilities support services,” she said. “I have the eSports team reporting to me, as well. I don’t directly coach the sports team. The program director reports to me.”
Although she didn’t get a degree in athletics, Rhea kept up her passion for sports while at Bridgewater. A star player of the PCHS girls basketball team, she played intramurals at Bridgewater and, in her sophomore year, joined the lacrosse team.
“The first lacrosse game I ever saw – I played in,” she said, laughing. “I did that for the next three years. I think that’s the value of a small school. There’s opportunity for you to be in those types of things.”
While reflecting on her time at Bridgewater – as a student and employee – Rhea said it was the perfect fit for her and has continued to help her grow in her career.
“I don’t think I would have thrived at a large institution,” she said. “I don’t think I would be where I am today. That’s not knocking anything. This was just the right fit for me at the time.
“I think the willingness for the institution to allow me to make progress and grow,” she added, referring to her career. “It’s always been a great advocate for me and my career. The bosses I had previously were that way, as well.”
In 2004, Rhea married her high school sweetheart, Matt Rhea, who is the activities director at Spotswood High School. The couple has two sons, Cooper who recently turned 16, and Brody, 13.
Rhea is the daughter of Judy Kane, of Green Bank, and the late Mike Kane, and the daughter-in-law of Dwayne and Teresa Rhea, of Marlinton.
This is the first in a series of articles about Pocahontas County High School graduates and what they are doing now.
If you know of an individual you’d like to see featured, please send an email to sastewart@pocahontastimes.com
