Adam Hodges, originally from Huntington, WV, earned a BFA in sculpture with a minor in history from Marshall University in 1995. He later received a master’s degree in painting from Marshall in 2001 and an MFA in painting and printmaking from Western Michigan University in 2004.

In 2006, then-Governor Manchin appointed Adam as state museum director. There, he supervised a significant renovation of the WV State Museum and managed projects at various historic sites. Adam joined WVSU Extension Service in 2010 and became the community vitality and economic development (CVED) program leader by 2022.

He has held multiple leadership roles, including a seat on the NACDEP board from 2015 to 2022 and hosting the 2025 NACDEP Conference in Charleston, WV. Adam also serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Northeast Center for Rural Development at Penn State University and other Southern Rural Development Center committees.

Adam chaired the Fayette County Farmland Protection Board for eight years, contributing to establishing New Roots Farm. He also holds board positions with United Way of Southern WV, Tamarack Foundation for the Arts, Fayette County Solid Waste Authority, Oak Hill Board of Zoning Appeals and the Upper Kanawha Valley Resiliency Council.