President & CEO
Westbrook Health Services, Inc.
Photo by Jill Martin Photography.
By Jamie Null
Kevin Trippett doesn’t shy away from responsibility, whether it’s on the job as the president and CEO of Westbrook Health Services, in the community as a volunteer or on the field as a coach. Being responsible for the safety and well-being of others is a quality he developed early in life that today serves every person with whom he comes in contact.
Growing up in Parkersburg, Trippett spent his childhood playing sports or exploring the outdoors. He attended West Virginia University (WVU), where he majored in finance, and during his college years, he held several jobs, the most memorable of which was at the YMCA. “I enjoyed working as a summer camp counselor and teaching swim lessons the most—that is where my passion to work with children began.” It’s also where his commitment to others was developed.
In 1997, Trippett graduated from WVU, and in 1999, he joined Westbrook Health Services, a comprehensive behavioral health center, as a payroll clerk. Two years later, he was named the interim chief financial officer (CFO) and inherited a $3 million debt. When Westbrook hired a new CEO, Trippett was named the permanent CFO, and together the two addressed the debt problem.
“We rolled up our sleeves and got things turned around to the point that the agency was out of debt and had a cash reserve,” he says. “It took a lot of patience and a lot of hard decisions, but gaining the trust of our employees, valuing their input and creating a team atmosphere went a long way toward getting Westbrook where it is today.”
Trippett credits his success to God, his parents and his mentor, Jo Ann Powell, a past executive director at Westbrook.
“Jo Ann believed in me and took a chance on someone who others thought was too young to fill the role of CFO,” he says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her guidance and support.”
In 2017, Trippett was promoted to CEO and president at Westbrook. In this role, one of his main goals has been to increase collaboration as well as Westbrook’s presence in West Virginia.
“Bringing Westbrook into the technology age is one of my proudest achievements,” he says. “When I started, the majority of the staff worked on paper. Now we are on the verge of being completely paperless. We are also better able to meet the needs of those we serve through technology, which allows consumers to connect with providers remotely. Westbrook Health Services was a pioneer in providing this valuable service to our rural neighbors.”
Trippett’s mission of success goes beyond Westbrook into his community. He serves as a board member and finance committee member for the Parkersburg YMCA, board member and audit committee chair of the Allohak Council of the Boy Scouts of America, volunteer at the Humane Society of Parkersburg, board member of First Choice Services, Inc. and youth sponsor at Crossroads United Methodist Church. He has held various positions at his church, ranging from Sunday school teacher to chair of the finance committee.
For 17 years, he has also coached a variety of youth sports, including cheerleading, soccer, basketball, baseball, football, cross country and track. Currently, he is a volunteer coach for the Parkersburg Vipers, a middle school baseball team.
“The causes I’ve given to are causes that had an impact on my life as a youth,” he says. “I spent a lot of time as a participant and an employee at the YMCA. I’m an Eagle Scout, and my time as a Boy Scout helped me become the leader I am today. As for the youth sports, it is very rewarding to see the progression of a child as they improve their skills. If I’m able to help them grow as a person, that is even better.”
Trippett wants others to have the same opportunities he did as a youth growing up in the Mountain State. He believes organizations like the Boy Scouts and the YMCA can help shape today’s youth into leaders while helping build a brighter future for West Virginia.
“West Virginia is home,” he says. “This is where my family is, and this state has a lot to offer, especially to an outdoor enthusiast such as myself. West Virginia culture and values are important to me and guide my life daily.”
1990 Earned the Boy Scouts rank of Eagle Scout
1995 Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVU
1997 Graduated with a master’s degree in safety management from WVU
1999 Hired as a payroll clerk for Westbrook Health Services
2001 Promoted to CFO for Westbrook Health Services
2002 Named the Ohio Valley All-Stars cheerleading coach
2006 Joined the Crossroads UMC Nominating Committee
2010 Became a Sunday school teacher at Crossroads UMC
2011 Began volunteering for Cub Scouts
2017 Promoted to president and CEO of Westbrook Health Services
2018 Became a volunteer coach for the Parkersburg Vipers
