UPDATE: Owners of Putnam County business talk about Pence’s visit – WSAZ-TV
UPDATE 3/26/17 @ 10:15 p.m. TEAYS VALLEY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- When a world leader's platform is in the middle of a warehouse, there's usually a good story tucked close by.
Vice President Mike Pence spent almost all his Saturday trip to the mountain state on the campus of Teays Valley business, Foster Supply
"And let me thank our hosts today, Ronald Reagan Foster and Nancy Reagan Foster. I just said a little bit ago, they're my second favorite Ron and Nancy's I've ever met." Vice President Mike Pence said.
Owners Ron and Nancy hosted one of the most powerful men in the world and say he was a gracious guest.
"He's so personable, and he remembered our names, remembered our employees, remembered what business we do, so it was remarkable. Wouldn't you agree?" Nancy Reagan Foster said.
The focus of the visit was small businesses like Ron's, which started in 1981, with the help of his twin sons. The legacy is still going strong.
He said, "We're transitioning into the next generation, and the United States of America has just transitioned from one presidency to another, and I think small business is gonna have a voice."
Brothers Ron and Geoff are also owners and run different divisions of the company.
"The round table discussion was very valuable and just to see it was really interesting, just seeing that the current administration in Trump and Pence are very, very interested in small business," said Ron.
"He talked to us about certain issues and then came down here and actually remembered those issues, talked about them, mentioned them in his speech," said Geoff.
Parts of a round table discussion spilled over into the occasional joke from the podium
The Vice President joked, "I just heard that you have a wall division here at Fosters. Maybe we need to talk."
A family business now hoping the Vice President remembers the notes he took in West Virginia.
"Hello West Virginia! It is great to be back, if only just to say thanks," he addresses the crowd after walking onto a small stage inside a Foster Supply warehouse.
Foster Supply hosted two events for Vice President Pence, a campaign-style speech with an audience of an estimated 150 people and a more intimate roundtable discussion with approximately a dozen small business owners.
"President Donald Trump is gonna be the best friend American small business will ever have," Pence told the crowd.
In the larger setting, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon helped rally the crowd.
"I've been bankrupt. I've had my house auctioned off, my car repossessed in the driveway, pregnant with my second child at the time, so i get it," she said. "And that's what President Trump wants to do -- proper taxes, proper regulatory environment, making sure that we are providing our small businesses with the tools that we need to start, to grow and to be successful."
Tim Burns, the CEO of Grassmasters, LLC, a landscaping business located in Scott Depot, was one of the few selected to shake hands with the VP and one of a dozen to participate in the roundtable discussion
"Everybody really had a chance to go around and talk about their business, problems they face," he says. "Meeting Vice President Pence was definitely an honor, and he was very open to what we had to say, and I feel like it was a very good conversation."
Not much from the sit-down conversation made its way to the stage. Instead, Pence preached a message to the crowd that the Trump administration has not forgotten West Virginians.
"West Virginia voted overwhelmingly to make Donald Trump the 45th President of the United States, and we will never forget it," Pence said.
Predictably, the conversation also moved to building a wall, healthcare and coal.
"Right after we dropped our hands on January 20th, it was official, the war on coal is over, and a new era of American Energy has begun."
A day after legislation was pulled off the House floor that would have unraveled former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, Pence told a gathering Saturday in Scott Depot, West Virginia, that "we will end the Obamacare nightmare and give the American people the world class health care that they deserve."
He told a few hundred people at construction materials firm Foster Supply that Friday's setback was a victory for the status quo in Washington, D.C., "but I promise you that victory won't last very long."
Earlier, Pence and U.S. Small Business Administrator leader Linda McMahon held a private discussion with a dozen business owners about the challenges they face.
Visit link:
UPDATE: Owners of Putnam County business talk about Pence's visit - WSAZ-TV
- Mike Pence Revives Trump Tirades Against RFK Jr. in New Ad - The Daily Beast - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - The New Republic - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Takes Aim at Donald Trump: 'Deviated From This Record' - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - Yahoo! Voices - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence Hits the Hong Kong Target - The Wall Street Journal - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Back on the Scene as His Group Moves to Undermine Trump - MSN - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to attend inauguration - ABC7 Los Angeles - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence arrives at Capitol before Trump inauguration - CBS News - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Will Reportedly Attend Trump's Inauguration: What We Know - Newsweek - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence to Trump: cutting Taiwan support would likely spark a new nuclear arms race - The Guardian - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence booed by crowd as former presidents enter Capitol Rotunda - FOX 5 DC - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Rachel Maddow Admits Mike Pence's Wife Refusing to Stand for Trump at President Carter Funeral Is Marriage Goals - TheWrap - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Bill and Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence BOOED by MAGA fans as they enter the Capitol Rotunda - Daily Mail - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes shocking U-turn on Donald Trump support despite being branded as 'disloyal' - Daily Mail - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes brutal 'arms race' warning to Donald Trump - Irish Star - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Ex-Mike Pence Aide Olivia Troye Says Kash Patel Threatened to Sue Her for Calling Him a Delusional Liar on MSNBC - Yahoo! Voices - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Ex-Mike Pence Aide Olivia Troye Says Kash Patel Threatened to Sue Her for Calling Him a 'Delusional Liar' on MSNBC - TheWrap - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Karoline Leavitt praised Mike Pence in 2021 and then deleted two social media posts - The Times of India - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Mike Pence urges Senate Republicans to reject RFK Jr for US health secretary - The Guardian US - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- RFK Jr. nomination to HHS slammed by Mike Pence over abortion rights stance - USA TODAY - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Mike Pence Urges Senate To Oppose RFK Jr. For HHS Secretary Over Abortion Stance - HuffPost - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Mike Pence blasts Trump's pick of RFK, says health nominee is betrayal of pro-life movement - Washington Times - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Mike Pence's 'Prayer' For Trump Proves Their Chilly Relationship Isn't Thawing Anytime Soon - The List - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Mike Pence Breaks with Trump on Pardoning Capitol Rioters, Says No One Who Assaulted Officers on January 6 Should Be Pardoned - LatinTimes - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Mike Pence Reacts to Donald Trump's Decisive Election Win - Newsweek - November 10th, 2024 [November 10th, 2024]
- Mike Pence reacts to Donald Trumps election win after declining to endorse him - KCBD - November 10th, 2024 [November 10th, 2024]
- Jack Smith immunity appendix reveals highlighted pages of Mike Pence book that Jan. 6 prosecutors want to use against Trump - Law & Crime - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Mike Pence Is Haunting This Election - The Atlantic - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Did Mike Pence endorse Kamala Harris for president? Here's the truth - The Economic Times - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- So what: Trumps alleged reaction to news that Mike Pence was in danger on Jan 6 - The Independent - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Why former Indiana governor, VP Mike Pence came up in the debate between Walz and Vance - IndyStar - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Days before Trump rioters tried to hang him, Mike Pence was warned he would be in danger - NJ.com - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Trump 'resorted to crimes,' bullied VP Mike Pence in Jan. 6 election interference plot: newly unsealed filing - New York Daily News - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Mike Pence quietly lays the groundwork for a post-Trump future - Semafor - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Mike Pence Delivers Blow To Trump Weeks Ahead of Election - MSN - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Fox contributor Kellyanne Conway attempts to minimize the divide between Donald Trump and Mike Pence - Media Matters for America - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Mike Pence takes extraordinary swipe at Trump in sign that he wants to return to politics - Daily Mail - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Mike Pence Offers Advice to JD Vance - Newsweek - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Mike Pence Offers Advice to JD Vance - MSN - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Shame: National Review Slams Trump-Vance Ticket for Doubling Down on Election Denialism and Slandering Mike Pence - Mediaite - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Trump Wants to Hide His Attempt to Assassinate Mike Pence from Voters - Emptywheel - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Mike Pence Group Issues Warning to Donald Trump Over RFK. Jr.'Loony Ideas' - Newsweek - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- 'We're Gonna Pray Right Now': Mike Pence Reveals Immediate Reaction to Learning of Trump Assassination Attempt - CBN.com - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Former VP Mike Pence to address Long Island Association business group in October - Newsday - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Were Gonna Pray Right Now: Mike Pence Reveals Immediate Reaction to Learning of Trump Assassination Attempt - Faithwire - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Buttigieg compares JD Vance to Mike Pence in rebuke of Trump VP pick - The Hill - July 24th, 2024 [July 24th, 2024]
- Mike Pence thanks Biden for stepping out of presidential race: 'The right decision' - KOMO News - July 24th, 2024 [July 24th, 2024]
- The most important story about Trumps VP is why he needs a new one - Media Matters for America - July 12th, 2024 [July 12th, 2024]
- Trump v. United States Opines On Whether The Vice President Is a Legislative Officer - Reason - July 12th, 2024 [July 12th, 2024]
- Former Pence adviser blasts Trump trying to distance himself from Project 2025: Ludicrous - Washington Examiner - July 12th, 2024 [July 12th, 2024]
- Pence slams RNC platform changes on abortion - Washington Examiner - July 12th, 2024 [July 12th, 2024]
- Mike Pence warns against pro-life 'surrender' in revised RNC platform - Washington Times - July 12th, 2024 [July 12th, 2024]
- Opinion | Mike Pence: Donald Trump Has Betrayed the Pro-Life Movement - The New York Times - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Mike Pence: Russian aggression poses 'serious threat' to Europe - Euronews - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Mike Pence: US will continue to support Ukraine - Euronews - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Mike Johnson, Like Pence, Does What Passes for Brave in Todays GOP: His Job - The New York Times - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Brian Howey: Trumps Hoosiers passing on a second term - Daily Journal - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Former Trump officials are among the most vocal opponents of returning him to the White House - Yoursun.com - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Ex-Trump lawyer and former law school dean who suggested Mike Pence interfere in the election should lose his ... - Fortune - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- On The New Abnormal, Matt Gertz explains why the Pence story got swept under the rug: Fox News is a "Trumpian ... - Media Matters for America - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Trump Told Pence Certifying Election Would Be 'Career Killer,' Valet Testified - The New York Times - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Fox News Buried Its Own Mike Pence Story to Benefit Trump - The Daily Beast - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Republican Group's Ad Taunts Donald Trump By Noting Mike Pence Put 'Country Over Party' - Yahoo Singapore News - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Pence cannot in good conscience back Trump but Capito can - The Dominion Post - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Ex-Pence Aide Recalls Trump-Haley Oval Office Moment That Left Her 'In Shock' - Yahoo News - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Sure They Wanted to Hang Mike Pence, But It'll Be Different for Me! - The Bulwark - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Rep. Greg Pence: Chaos in Congress a factor in retirement - Daily Journal - January 25th, 2024 [January 25th, 2024]
- Mike Pence's Brother Joins Republicans Retiring From Congress - The Daily Beast - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Pence says he believes the FBI didn't contribute to Jan. 6 riot - POLITICO - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Former US VP Mike Pence to Israel: 'The American people are with you' - The Jerusalem Post - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Real Photograph of Mike Pence Signing an Artillery Shell in Israel? - Snopes.com - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Greg Pence hangs it up after six years in Congress - The Times of Northwest Indiana - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- U.S. Rep. Greg Pence announces he won't seek reelection - The Daily News - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Pence decides not to file again for Congress - 101.5 WKKG - 101.5 WKKG - January 10th, 2024 [January 10th, 2024]
- Mike Pence heckled by man claiming they are both gay - PinkNews - October 15th, 2023 [October 15th, 2023]
- Mike Pence Heckled by Man Claiming to Be His Lover - Yahoo News - October 15th, 2023 [October 15th, 2023]
- Mike Pence Claims the Reagan Mantle. So Far, It Isn't Helping Him. - Reason - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- No, Mike Pence, We Should Not Make It Easier To Execute Mass ... - Reason - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Trump Was Privately Chanting for Mike Pence's Hanging on January ... - Vanity Fair - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]
- Vivek Ramaswamy Is Attacked Over China, Ukraine and TikTok - The New York Times - September 29th, 2023 [September 29th, 2023]