NEWELL, West Virginia — Elizabeth McIlvain, president and CEO of The Fiesta Tableware Company, based in Newell, West Virginia, will be inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony that will be held today at 4 p.m. at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. 

McIlvain is among three other inductees: Joseph C. Eddy, retired president and CEO of Eagle Manufacturing Company and executive vice president of Justrite Safety Group; Albert Lewis, president of Glass Inc. International; and David Simmons, former chairman and chief executive officer of PPD, Inc. 

The WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics initiated the WV Business Hall of Fame Award in 2001 to recognize people with strong West Virginia ties, who have made a significant impact on the business landscape. Nominees must illustrate extraordinary leadership, have demonstrated a commitment to their community, and have a strong West Virginia tie as a native West Virginian, having been educated in West Virginia or having built their career in West Virginia.

“I am truly humbled to be recognized among all the other business leaders of this great state since the inception of this award,” said McIlvain. “West Virginians are hardworking, innovative, resilient, and resourceful! I’m so proud to be from here and to continue my family’s legacy of keeping jobs and manufacturing in West Virginia.”  

McIlvain was born in Newell, West Virginia, with slip (liquid clay) in her veins. A member of the fourth generation of the Wells family to own and operate The Homer Laughlin China Company, now known as The Fiesta Tableware Company, she joined the company shortly after graduating from Bethany College. She held various supervisory roles in the plant, culminating as Superintendent of the hotel division plant before taking a break from her professional life to raise her three daughters, two of whom now work for the company. 

McIlvain rejoined the company in 2007 as a vice president and became the first female leader of the company when she became president and CEO in 2013, succeeding her brother in the role. Under her leadership, The Fiesta Tableware Company and the iconic Fiesta® brand has flourished, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the company and 85th anniversary of the Fiesta® brand in 2021.