Maria has been married since 1980 and is the proud mom of two children, Natale and Nathan. She owns C M Grow Greenhouses, a local plant nursery where the idea for the festival first took root — quite literally the birthplace of the Pawpaw Festival WV. She loves being part of the festival preparations and enjoys the social interaction and teamwork that go into making the event happen. Although she spent most of last year in the kitchen cutting up fruit, she loved seeing all the faces coming through. Maria has a soft spot for “odd” things — from nursing distressed plants back to health to dreaming up creative craft ideas she hasn’t yet brought to life. She also admits she would’ve happily worn the gorilla suit if given the chance.
Brandy is a proud Paw Paw High School graduate and lifelong supporter of her hometown community. She’s the mom of two wonderful kids and is soon to be married — a milestone that reflects her joyful, grounded spirit. As Sales Director for Blue Valley Vineyard, Brandy brings a wealth of experience in hospitality, event coordination, and relationship building to the Pawpaw Festival board. Her creativity and professionalism shine through in every project she touches, from vendor outreach to festival planning. Brandy’s enthusiasm for teamwork and her love of Paw Paw make her an invaluable part of the festival family.
Lucinda has been married for two wonderful years and has called Paw Paw home since her family moved here in 1965. With deep family roots and generations of connections, Paw Paw has always been her hometown at heart. She joined the festival committee to help celebrate the town’s beauty, history, and the native pawpaw fruit that inspired its name. Though she doesn’t have children, she proudly claims her fur babies and her love of working with kids — a natural fit, since she still feels like one herself. Lucinda has loved to sing since she first learned to talk and carries a lifetime of fond memories tied to her community. Her passion for Paw Paw shines through everything she does.
Emma grew up just outside of Paw Paw and graduated from Paw Paw High in 1995. She married her high school sweetheart the following year, and she and her husband raised two kids who also walked those same school halls. A small‑business owner and devoted animal lover, Emma brings creativity, hometown pride, and a love for community events to the festival board. She also assists with the Paw Paw Parade as a vendor coordinator.
Todd lives in Hampshire County with his wife and is a WV Master Gardener, plant enthusiast, and passionate educator. He owns and operates Great Escape Farms and Homestead Farm Tours, where he grows more than 450 unique varieties of edible plants, including several pawpaw orchards with nearly 200 trees. His love for pawpaws began in 2014 after tasting his first fruit, sparking years of study, orchard visits, and participation in the International Pawpaw Conference. Todd speaks at pawpaw festivals across WV, MD, and PA, sharing introductory presentations and answering questions from curious growers and enthusiasts. He also serves as one of the festival’s featured presenters. His favorite part of the Pawpaw Festival is connecting with attendees — though the tastings are a close second.
