Clinch Valley News

Gills, Bluefield Division Manager, was born July 22, 1893, at Lynchburg, Va. His family moved to Appomattox, Va., where he received his high school education. His college education was received from the University of Virginia; in addition to this, he took special work at Pan-American Business College and graduate work at Harvard Business School. He served with the Engineers in the First World War. He was first employed by the Appalachian at Glen Lyn, Va., on the construction of its first steam unit. He later became purchasing agent of the company after returning from the service. He became District Manager in Bluefield on April 1, 1927; he was made Assistant Division Manager December 1, 1943; and Division Manager October 1, 1946. He is married and the father of three children and resides at 1331 Whitethorn Street, Bluefield, West Virginia. He is a member and past president of the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, member and past president of the Bluefield Kiwanis Club and member and past president of the Bluefield Country Club. He is a member of the University Club, the American Legion and the College Avenue Baptist Church. He is a director of the First National Bank of Bluefield, has been a director of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and has served as director of both Appalachian Electric Power Company and American Gas and Electric Service Corporation.