About Us
Mountaineers Are Always Free
Mission
Founded in 2014, the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy is a non-profit dedicated to advancing free-market public policies that expand opportunity, protect liberty, and strengthen communities across West Virginia.
Vision
The West Virginia Miracle
The Cardinal Institute envisions an economic turnaround that will transform West Virginia into a beacon of prosperity and hope. For this miracle to occur, it must be built on four pillars: economic freedom, education freedom, worker freedom, and a culture of freedom encapsulated in the state’s motto and founding ethos, Montani Semper Liberi — Mountaineers Are Always Free.
Our Theory of Social Change
At the Cardinal Institute, we believe freedom is the foundation of human flourishing and that good policy creates the conditions for people, families, and communities to thrive. When individuals are free to make choices, solve problems, work, build, and care for one another, society grows from the ground up. Real progress comes when people have the opportunity, responsibility, and support to shape their own future.
That belief guides how we think about public policy and culture. The systems that shape daily life, especially in healthcare, education, and welfare, should serve people, not protect institutions. When choice expands, competition can work, local solutions can grow, costs can come down, innovation can rise, and more people can move forward with dignity.
We believe human flourishing is most likely when individuals are empowered, work is valued, and communities are strong. That means supporting free markets that improve services, advancing policies that make work, training, and upward mobility easier. It means strengthening civil society through the families, churches, and local organizations that help people thrive. In each of these areas, freedom is not just an ideal. It is the starting point for opportunity, dignity, and a stronger society.
Healthcare
Healthcare should serve patients, not systems. Cardinal champions reforms that bring greater competition, innovation, and choice to the market, lowering costs, expanding access, and improving quality of care for every West Virginian.
Education
Education improves when families have options. Cardinal advances reforms that give parents greater agency and open new pathways for students to thrive through school choice, the Hope Scholarship, and policies that put learners first.
Social Safety Net
A strong safety net should be a bridge, not a barrier. Cardinal supports policies that uphold dignity, reward work, and help West Virginians move toward stability, independence, and a flourishing life.
Civil Society
Strong communities rely on more than just government and markets. Families, churches, nonprofits, and voluntary associations play crucial roles in fostering trust, responsibility, and the relationships that bind society together. Cardinal champions the policies and culture that allow them to thrive.
Our Team
The Cardinal Institute brings together policy researchers, communicators, and advocates committed to advancing freedom and opportunity in West Virginia. Our team combines deep policy expertise with a genuine love for the Mountain State and its people.
Staff
Garrett Ballengee
President & CEO
Michael Giberson
Energy Policy Fellow
Charles Mitchell
David and Laura Thayer Visiting Fellow
Jessica Dobrinsky
Senior Health Care Policy Fellow
Kyle Hanlin
Director of Development
Jessi Troyan
Director of Policy and Research
Adam Kissel
Senior Fellow
Board of Directors
Karen Bailey-Chapman
Chairman
Lisa Wilkinson
Board Member
Bill Cole
Board Member
Ed Gaunch
Board Member
Melanie Hildreth
Secretary
Jeff Kimble
Vice-Chair
Jim Shaffer
Board Member
Awards & Recognition
2019
Atlas Network Smart Bets Competition Winner
Cardinal won a $75,000 top prize to expand educational opportunity in West Virginia.
2019
John Blundell Elevator Pitch Finalist
Cardinal Communications Associate Amanda Kieffer reached the finals of Atlas Network’s international competition.
2021
SPN Communications Excellence Award Winner
Cardinal received the Powerful Storytelling Award for sharing the experiences of West Virginia parents, teachers, and students while building support for the Hope Scholarship.
2021
Bob Williams Award Finalist
Cardinal was recognized in the Biggest Win for Freedom category for helping advance the Hope Scholarship.
2021
Templeton Freedom Award Finalist
Cardinal was selected as one of six global finalists for its work to transform educational opportunity in West Virginia.
2022
Buckley Award Winner
Cardinal President and CEO Garrett Ballengee received America’s Future’s Buckley Award for his leadership in advancing freedom and prosperity.
2022
Think Tank Shark Tank Competitor
Jessi Troyan was selected as one of three global competitors to present the Dignity Project at Atlas Network’s competition in New York.
2023
Bob Williams Award Winner
Cardinal received the Biggest Home State Win award for helping West Virginia enact its largest income-tax cut in 37 years.
2023
PIE Network Eddies Finalist
Cardinal and its coalition partners were recognized as Best Defense finalists for their campaign to protect the Hope Scholarship.