Harold L. Frankel moved to Huntington at the age of three. He later took over his father's business, "Frankel's Credit Clothing Store" in 1936. He then added a successful appliance business, became Huntington's Holiday Inn innkeeper with his wife and teammate, Dodi Frankel, in 1965, and later built the 11-story Holiday Inn downtown.
Frankel served four terms as mayor of Huntington, 16 years on Huntington City Council, and was sheriff and treasurer of Cabell County. He was president of the Huntington Housing Authority, the Airport Authority and the West Virginia League of Municipalities. He also was campaign chairman of the United Fund, the Red Cross, Cabell County Cancer and Huntington Clean-up drives. Board membership included the Cammack Children's Center (38 years). St. Mary's Hospital (36 years) and the YMCA Advisory Board. He was vice president of Ohev Shalom Temple, president of the Huntington B'nai Brith Lodge and was state chairman of Israel Bonds.
His awards included the Civic Achievement Award from the Huntington Advertising Club, the Israeli Prime Minister's Medal of Honor, and the George VanZandt Award for Civic Achievement, presented by the Huntington Jaycees. Throughout the years, his tireless activities substantially improved Huntington's image and brought increased pride to the Jewel City.
