Himes is going to work for the Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension Service, serving an 11-county area.

"I'll be closer to my family and my roots," he said, a native of a small town near Johnstown.

Himes said "I've really enjoyed the wonderful generosity of the people in Calhoun. I'll never forget the experience being here."

"I grew up in a small community and worked as a coal miner, until I lost the job," said Himes, who says he "fit quite well" in a rural county like Calhoun. I consider it a great privilege."

"Most of my family worked for mining companies. My dad and I worked for the same mine along with many uncles and cousins. I lost my job in 1985 when the mine closed," said Himes. "I have two brothers and two sisters. Mom and Dad have been together for nearly 60 years."

Himes has a Master's Degree from WVU in sociology, with a specialization in applied social research, but he has also majored in agriculture.

He has worked in a youth center, the Sociology and Anthropology Department of WVU, was an AmeriCorps VISTA member and was a carpenter on house construction. He has also been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

He received the WVU Extension Service New Program Excellence Award in 2003, was named the Outstanding Teaching Assistant in Sociology in 2001, and was a Ronald E. McNair and Morris K. Udall Scholar.

Recent changes in the local extension office is the addition of Heather Weaver, who will be working with 4-H and Energy Express.

Nancy Bremar, Nutrition Outreach Instructor for Calhoun and Wirt counties, will continue in the Calhoun-based office.