Shell recognized for his volunteer efforts

HUNTINGTON -- He coaches kids to greatness and works with a large number of charities and nonprofit organizations. He takes an active interest in underprivileged children. Many who know him say Todd Shell is not only versatile, he's generous and committed.

For those efforts, Shell is the winner of the Zack Binkley Award for Community Service for 2007, one of five Citizen Awards presented annually by The Herald-Dispatch.

Shell was born in Huntington, raised in Ohio, and returned to Huntington in 1993. He's in his sixth year coaching in Little League 3 and has been largely responsible for the success of the league's $1.8 million ballfield project.

John H. Brunetti has been coaching with Shell for several years. The first time he met Shell was when Shell's son Blake was trying out for the team. They've been coaching together since. Brunetti said the two have had some really good teams thanks to Shell's energy, coaching and communication.

"He's giving all the time. He's never taking," he said.

Brunetti called Shell "a fantastic guy" who goes the extra mile to help people, especially kids.

"Everything he gets involved in, he throws himself into 100 percent," Brunetti said.

Shell said he got involved in Little League because of his sons. His youngest, Joey, is in his first year playing ball for the league.

"I really got involved with baseball to spend more time with my kids," Shell said.

League 3 previously played at the Cammack school baseball fields, but school consolidation and construction forced the league to relocate. The league ended its time at the previous fields in 2007 with the West Virginia District 1 Championship and a trip to the state tournament in Hedgesville. The new fields are located at the intersection of 7th Street West and Memorial Boulevard in Huntington.

Cabell County Judge Dan O'Hanlon has known Shell and his family for 10 years, and said he always admired Todd as a father and a person. He said his efforts toward the ballfields proved he was a leader as well.

"Todd did something that was really important for the kids of the community," O'Hanlon said. "Suddenly the Little League found themselves without any place to play. It was really important for somebody to step up, and Todd was the guy who did it."

O'Hanlon said it was a difficult economic time to raise money for such a large project, and Shell spent much of his personal time dedicated to raising funds.

"I think Todd did a magnificent job. He just would not quit," he said.

Geoff Sheils, who also has been connected with Shell over the years through various boards and sports, said Shell's dedication to the league is phenomenal. Sheils is the president and CEO of First Sentry Bank in Huntington and has a son in League 3.

Rain or shine, Shell has been at the new field's construction site, Sheils said. He's also worked hard to raise money, constantly pursuing residents and businesses for help.

"He's always down there, whether it's 100 degrees or zero degrees," Sheils said. "He's not only in the trenches, so to speak, but he was also behind the scenes."

Shell also is involved in many community and business organizations.

Shell said each responsibility is important in a big way, from reaching a broad spectrum of people through the United Way to providing culture and activity through the local museum or Boys & Girls Club. He said programs for underprivileged or disabled children are especially important to him.

"I get this from my Mom and Dad," Shell said. "We've been blessed to have a very successful business for a very long time and like to give back. The best way to give back is to give back particularly to younger children who may not have gotten the same opportunities we got."

That's a big part of why Shell said he loves coaching.

"If you can change one kid's life, push them in the right direction, you've accomplished something very special," he said.

Shell serves as a board member for Little League 3, Hospice of Huntington, Huntington Museum of Art, West Virginia Education Alliance, Keith-Albee Restoration Board, St. Mary's Medical Foundation, Huntington Boys & Girls Club, and United Way of River Cities. He is the current fundraising chairman for the 2008 Tri-State Area Boy Scout Council and fundraising chairman for the Save League 3 project.

Shell is also the chief investment officer of Guyan International of Barboursville, and co-owner of Guyan Machinery Rebuilders in Hamlin.

He also serves on boards for Portec Rail Products of Pittsburgh, Consolidated Bank & Trust of Richmond, and Abigail Adams National Bank of Washington.