Meet the Staff

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Meet the Staff

Executive Director

Erik Essington - Executive Director

Erik Essington is the Executive Director at WVCDHH. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Recreation from California State University, Northridge; a Master’s degree in Counseling in Business, Industry and Government from California State University Northridge; a School Counseling Credential from National University; and a Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from California Graduate Institute.

For the past 25 years, Erik has worked in the Mental Health and Educational setting specializing in Deaf services with state agencies, local community organizations, to ensure that appropriate and accessible educational and clinical services were provided to the Deaf and hard of hearing population.

You may contact Erik at Erik.J.Essington@wv.gov or at 304-400-6959 (Video Phone).

Project Director

Sarah Lowther is the Project Director at WVCDHH. She has been with WVCDHH since April 2015. Prior to working for WVCDHH, she worked as a technical analyst and customer support specialist. She provided advanced services, such as incident response and escalations operations, as part of a resolution team for major telecommunication, healthcare, and financial advisory companies. She brings analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills, along with an enthusiastic desire to help others.

Sarah’s hobbies include biking, crafting, video games, and spending time with family and pets.

You may contact Sarah at Sarah.B.Lowther@wv.gov or 304-558-1675.

Assistant to the Director

Gwen Bryant is the Assistant to the Director at WVCDHH. She is the mother of three boys, the youngest of which was born profoundly deaf.

Recently, she served on the WVCDHH Board for nine years as the Parent representative. She is a founding member and previous Director of West Virginia Hands & Voices. She also previously served as the Project Coordinator for WV Newborn Hearing Screening.

In the past, Gwen worked for WV Birth to Three as a Service Coordinator and as a Regional Parent Partner. She also served four years active duty as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force.

Gwen received a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Bachelors in Psychology from the University of West Florida.

You may contact Gwen at Gwen.L.Bryant@wv.gov or 304-205-6060.

Meet the Staff

Project Director

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​Assistant to the Director

Assistant to the Director