This month’s Unsung Hero has a bevy of stories and experiences that could each fill their own article. From high-stakes sports broadcasting to start-up chaos during the Napster years, to fundraisers that bring people together, Missy Gralish has done a little bit of everything. But for this story, we’d like to shine a light on something a little closer to home, specifically her work the past two years helping our Garrett County Community. First, Gralish supported a friend of the Lake-Front Magazine and beloved local business owner, and founder of Cashmere Clothing Co., Marcia Warnick.
When Warnick found out she had cancer, Gralish joined the group of volunteers hosting a benefit potluck event to raise funds. According to Warnick, “Among other people, Missy Gralish was fundamental in spearheading the fundraising to help with my out-of-pocket costs during my battle with cancer. She did everything she could to help out during my treatment.”
Gralish credits her parents for instilling in her a strong value for volunteering. She has served on nonprofit boards, organized huge festivals, and raised money for hospitals.
“My family always instilled how important volunteering is. My parents have always practiced it. So when someone comes to me with a fundraiser, I’m not a sit back on my laurels person. I work under the gun.” And in Garrett County, she’s found a communi- ty that works the same way. “I love the sense of community. I just looked at it like we all need each other. People need help. I can help. And I don’t really want anything in return. I feel like there are a lot of people like that.”
Gralish was also the driving force behind the success of the Deep Creek Lake 100th Birthday Bash held in July. Her leadership, energy, and no-nonsense follow-through ensured that every detail was handled with care. Missy took the initiative at every turn by rallying volunteers, vendors, and sponsors while balancing creative ideas with practical solutions. She navigated countless moving parts with calm efficiency and treated every problem as solvable. Whether bringing in the drone idea, coordinating live music, managing the decor, or helping attendees feel welcomed, Missy’s hands-on involvement and tireless work ethic kept things running smoothly. The event’s overwhelmingly positive reception (there were over 8,000 attendees) is a direct reflection of her dedication and deep-rooted love for this community. Simply put, the Birthday Bash couldn’t have been done without her!
For those who don’t know her background, Gralish’s career path zigzags like few others. “My background is in telecommunications,” she explained. “I worked in sports and news broadcasting on the engineering side of things since the 90s.” That work took her behind the scenes with the Steelers, the Penguins, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Sports, and even covering the G20 in Pittsburgh.
But long before that, she was deep in the music download industry during the dot-com boom. “I was the sixth employee hired at a start-up. The company began to take off, we increased to 35 employees, and purchased patents for download distribution and streaming,” she said. “It was the time of Napster and all that controversy… but soon it was time for me to move on. I just always find new paths to take in life.”
That willingness to dive into new worlds led to careers in real estate closings, digital signage, and eventually her own consulting company, Black Bear Broadcast and Media Consulting. Through it all, she has worked with global networks, faith-based organizations, and even the production facilities for Dr. Phil’s newest network.
Still, despite the whirlwind of her professional life, Gralish insists that Garrett County is her happy place. “Garrett County gives me a calmness. I can take a ride to Grantsville, to Springs, to Accident, to Oakland… and it makes me feel good. I completely support local. I shop completely local. I would be here 24/7 if it were up to me.”
From Pittsburgh newsrooms to Deep Creek Lake fundraisers, Missy Gralish has proven that an Unsung Hero isn’t always behind the curtain. Sometimes, they’re right in the middle of the action, bringing people together when it matters most.