Board Staff

Linda Lyter graduated from Marshall University in 1990 with an Associate in Applied Science with a major in Business Management and completed her Bachelors Degree in 1995 with an emphasis in Sociology. She also completed a few semesters' in Health Care Administration at Marshall University Graduate College in 1996 through 1997.

Linda began her employment with state government in 1994 with the Department of Administration, Financial Accounting and Reporting Section, where she remained employed until she was promoted to management in 2002 to the Accounting Division within the same agency. She worked within this section as well as the Payroll Division until 2007. She served as the Financial Liaison for many of the State Licensing Boards and Commissions from 1995 until 2007. She became the Executive Director for the WV Massage Therapy Licensure Board in 2007. She also became the Executive Director for the WV Board of Acupuncture in 2008 and Executive Director of the Funeral Board in 2019. Linda is active with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards where she has served on the Nominating Committee since the fall of 2007. She is also active in massage therapy and acupuncture regulation on the state and national level. She is a Certified Investigator/Inspector by the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. Linda was the Employee of the Year in 2000 for the WV Department of Administration as well as receiving several achievement awards from the WV State Auditor's Office throughout the years. She was elected as Vice President of the WV Association of Licensing Boards in 2010 and elected President in 2012.

Grady is a graduate of Pineville High School in Pineville, WV in 1965 and the Charleston Memorial Hospital Radiologic Technologist program in 1970, Grady worked at what is now CAMC - Memorial Division as a Radiologic Technologist from 1970-1972.  In 1972, he began his almost forty year career with the State of West Virginia. 

From 1972-1998, Grady work in the Radiologic Health Program inspecting radiation equipment throughout the state.  In 1998, he transferred to the computer section in the Office of Environmental Health Services, installing computer software, hardware and coordinating database operations.

In 2000, he was offered the position of Executive Director of the WV Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology, the licensing agency for radiologic technologist and radiation therapy technologist.  This position led him to becoming familiar with legislative matters and working with the public to ensure the operators of radiation producing equipment were properly trained and licensed.  He served in this position until his retirement in 2011.  After retirement, Grady worked under contract for the WV Massage Therapy Licensure Board and the WV Board of Acupuncture to update their databases.

From 2004-2011, Grady served as President of the WV Association of Licensing Boards.  This Association is composed of the thirty two (32) professional licensing boards in West Virginia.  In 2015, the Governor appointed Grady to serve as a public member of the WV Board of Licensed Dietitians and, in 2016, he was also appointed to the WV Board of Licensed Practical Nurses.  He held both positions until 2020 when he was hired by the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners in April, 2020.

In 2019, the Executive Director of the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners ask him to work under contract to serve as Database Coordinator for this Board, which he accepted.  In April, 2020, he was ask to step up and become office manager, which he is now serving in that position.

Grady and his wife, Sharon, live in St. Albans and have two daughters, Vicky and Jessica, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Also, their beloved dog, Sadie Marie.  In his spare time, Grady likes to play golf, fish, do woodworking projects and spend time with his family. 

Melissa A. Cyfers of Huntington, WV is a lifelong resident of West Virginia.  She is originally from Lincoln County, WV.  She spent many years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.  Melissa serves as an adjunct science instructor for Marshall University as well as an instructor for FINE Mortuary College.  She holds a Masters in Biological Sciences and recently graduated with her doctoral degree in Education.  She holds an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Methodologies and Technology.  She also actively works with the Appalachian Pulmonary Health Project where she serves as an Educational Consultant.  She works with schools in several counties to assist and motivate the instructional staff to deliver anti-vaping lessons to students in middle school and high school.  Her work in education involves assisting different entities with data compilation, assessments, and other areas for improved instruction.  When not working she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband, Terry, and her two daughters – Katelin and Zoe.

Mark S. Danehart, born in Wheeling , WV. Graduated from Triadelphia High School, attended West Liberty State  College and served Funeral Service internship in Wheeling. 

Mark graduated from Miami-Dade School of Mortuary Science, Miami,FL. Upon completion, he was as a Funeral Director with Van Orsdel Mortuaries before entering the Southeast Institute of Criminal Science. Upon graduation, he served with the Miami Police Department as Police Officer and Investigator until his departure to return to West Virginia in 1985. 

He was employed with Ruttencutters and Leavitt Funeral Homes before retiring as Funeral Director/Manager with Kepner Funeral Homes. 

He is a fourth general member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, member of Wheeling Tennis Club, Ohio Valley Amateur Radio Club, past member of Wheeling Lions Club, Ohio County Wildlife League, Lewis Wetzel Gun Club and  life long amateur radio operator and Harley Davidson enthusiast.