Todd Cope, CEO of CentralAPP, is a West Virginian on the go. Last year, he and his Tesla made a cross-country trek from West Virginia to Silicon Valley to highlight tech jobs in places you might not expect them. He also took the opportunity to connect with industry leaders to learn more about strengthening the tech economy in Appalachia. This year, he’s joining the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and other West Virginia tech-centered companies at South By Southwest 2022. Cope, a native West Virginian and former Silicon Valley exec, is deeply committed to promoting equal economic opportunity by expanding tech jobs in rural areas. “I was born here, and I love West Virginia, but besides that, the access to a talented domestic resource of human capital that we can use is just amazing. The amount of people here that are capable and willing to do dedicated work and learn something new in the tech economy — that’s the reason we’re here.” — Todd Cope Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.