Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) has expanded its team with the addition of two experienced higher-education professionals who bring extensive backgrounds in administration, finance and project support.
Renee Denney of Proctorville, Ohio, joined MAMC this month as accounting specialist. Based in Huntington, she supports the organization’s day-to-day financial and administrative operations by processing accounts payable and receivable, coordinating travel and providing staff support.
A Kentucky native, Denney graduated from Boyd County High School before launching a 17-year career at Marshall University. During her time on campus, she served in several departments, including the President’s Office, the John Deaver Drinko Academy, the Simon Perry Center for Constitutional Democracy and, most recently, University Marketing and Communications.
Denney and her husband, Steve, have been married for 26 years and have two sons who attend Marshall University. Bryson is pursuing graduate studies, while Drew will begin his junior year this fall. Outside of work, Denney enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors and hunting for hidden treasures at thrift stores.
Susan Halstead of Poca has joined MAMC’s Apprenticeship Works team as administrative specialist. Based in South Charleston, she plays a key role in supporting the nationally recognized apprenticeship program by coordinating projects, planning events, arranging travel and assisting with grant reporting, among many other responsibilities.
A graduate of Poca High School, Halstead earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in technical writing from West Virginia State University.
Before joining MAMC, Halstead was a member of the fundraising team at West Virginia State University, where she helped the institution’s $25 million capital campaign reach its goal three years ahead of schedule. She also spent nearly a decade with WVU Physicians of Charleston’s Behavioral Medicine Department, serving in a variety of roles, including forensic coordinator.
Halstead and her husband, Gage, celebrated their first wedding anniversary this spring. They are the parents of two sons: Parker, 16, who will begin his junior year of high school and plans to study civil engineering at Marshall University, and Cooper, 18, who will start his freshman year at the University of West Florida this fall.
When she’s not cheering from the sidelines at her son’s soccer games, Halstead coaches recreational and travel league basketball. With encouragement from her husband, she recently took up golf and also enjoys spending time with a good book.
July 27, 2026
