PRESS RELEASE:
Charleston, WV – February 21, 2023 – West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell, R-Mineral, was unanimously
elected vice chair of the Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs
Committee for The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South) by members of
the committee.
The CSG South Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee is
comprised of state legislators and legislative staff from the 15 CSG South member states.
Recent policy and program issues addressed by the committee include the current state of
infrastructure, maritime shipping and ports as economic development, craft brewing and
distilling to promote downtown revitalization and tourism, and how to invest federal
infrastructure funding for generational impact.
“I am honored to be the Vice Chair of this committee and representing CSG South and the
fifteen southern states,” said Delegate Howell. “After many years of attending the Southern
Legislative Conference (SLC), I have brought policy ideas back home that have ultimately made
West Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
As vice chair of the CSG South Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs
Committee, Delegate Howell will assist the committee’s chair, Tennessee Senator Becky
Massey, in guiding the committee’s policy focus and projects, including programming for the
77
th Annual Southern Legislative Conference, July 8 – 12, 2023, in Charleston, South Carolina.
Delegate Gary Howell represents District 87 in the West Virginia House, and is the Chair for the
Economic Development and Tourism Committee. Delegate Howell was elected to the West
Virginia House in 2010. Prior to becoming a state representative, Delegate Howell has worked
extensively in the motorsports industry. He has raced both stock cars and drag cars, built
winning race cars, built award winning show cars, and designed racing parts. His media skills
include hosting and writing a syndicated radio show, freelance writing automotive magazine
articles, and guest appearances as technical expert on automotive TV shows.
About CSG South
Established In 1947, The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South) is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization that exists to support members in all three branches of state government. At
CSG South we act as an extension of state government, fostering the exchange of insights and ideas to
help state officials shape public policy and create problem-solving partnerships.
The mission of CSG South is to promote and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation among its 15
member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Predominantly, this is
achieved through the ongoing work of CSG South’s six standing committees and supporting groups.
Legislative leadership, members, and staff depend on CSG South to identify and analyze solutions for
the most prevalent and unique policy issues facing Southern state governments. We facilitate outreach
in state capitols, leadership development, staff exchange programs, domestic and international policy
delegations, and other efforts to support state policymakers and legislative staff in their work to build
stronger, more successful states.
The Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) is the largest regional gathering of legislative members and
staff. SLC boasts an array of well-established programs—focusing on both existing and emerging state
government innovations and solutions—providing policymakers diverse opportunities to interact with
policy experts and share their knowledge with colleagues.
