Morrisey announces Eric Nelson, Eric Householder and others will join his administration
By Matthew Young, RealWV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey, in a press conference Thursday, announced his picks for several key members of his administration.
“It’s a wonderful new year,” Morrisey began. “There is deep excitement about what’s going to happen in 2025.”
“We’ve been working diligently the last couple of months to make a series of announcements leading up to and through the inauguration about members of our cabinet, and members of our senior executive team,” Morrisey continued, adding that the selection-process is far from complete.
“Some of that becomes a little easier when I actually become governor,” Morrisey noted. “Then we’ll be able to work at the pace that we want.”
According to Morrisey, there will be at least one additional staffing announcement made before his inauguration, and possibly one more made after to round-out his team.
“With that in mind, we have a number of significant announcements to make today,” Morrisey said. “These picks, you’re going to recognize a number of them, but they’re outstanding in every single way. They’re deeply experienced, they’re smart, and they put service before self.”
Before announcing the names of the individuals selected thus far, Morrisey encouraged those interested in working with his administration to submit their resume for consideration. Resumes should be mailed to P. O. Box 11903, Charleston, WV. 25339, or emailed to inaugural@patrickmorrisey.com. For additional questions, call 304-462-9049.
“Let me walk through some of the folks that are going to be coming into our administration,” Morrisey said. “We’re going to start out with Tom McCaffrey, who will be our chief of staff. Tom has deep experience in government and the private sector, and also played a very significant role in the Trump administration, as a principal deputy assistant at DOD (Dept. of Defense).”
McCaffrey, who Morrisey referred to as a “home run get” for West Virginia, serves as Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs at the DOD, before joining Health Management Associates. The role of deputy chief of staff, Morrisey further announced, will be filled by Todd Johnston. In addition, Johnston will serve as a chair of the soon-to-be-established Energy, Infrastructure and Competitiveness Council.
“Another person who I think you’re all going to know – a very good friend, and someone who did an incredible job as the chief deputy in the AG’s (Attorney General’s) office – his name is Douglas Buffington,” Morrisey continued. “Doug has been by my side for the last six years, and he’s been phenomenal.”
Buffington, Morrisey explained, will be serving as a senior advisor to the governor’s office. Prior to his time with the attorney general’s office, Buffington served as both chief of staff for the state’s Department of Revenue, as well as acting assistant director of the WV Lottery.
“Then we move on to the general counsel position,” Morrisey said. “Having a good general counsel is critical – I say that as the current attorney general of this state.”
“I’m very pleased to announce that Sean Whelan, who’s currently the head of our Tax Division – very senior individual – he’s the deputy attorney general. He’s got a wealth of experience,” Morrisey added, later noting that Assistant Attorney General Katie Franklin will be serving as deputy general counsel.
Additional picks announced by Morrisey on Thursday include:
- Curtis Capehart: Director of Policy
- Marissa Findlay: Director of Operations
- John L. Findlay: Director of Intergovernmental and Political Affairs
- Mike McKown: Director of Budget
- Alex Mayer: Secretary of Human Services
- Harold Ward: Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection
- Dianna Graves: Commissioner of the Bureau of Senior Services
“We’re also pleased to announce that Crescent Gallagher will be serving as press secretary,” Morrisey said. “For those of you that don’t know, Crescent was the deputy state director for Americans for Prosperity, and he has a rich array of press experience.”
In addition to his role with Americans for Prosperity, Gallagher previously served in several roles – including director of communications – under Agricultural Commissioner Kent Leonhardt.
Other notable appointments include Senator Eric Nelson, R-Kanawha, and House Majority Leader Eric Householder, who will serve as secretary of revenue, and secretary of administration, respectively.
“If revenue challenges are going to be important for the state, and they are, you want someone who is on top of it and knows where all the levers are,” Morrisey said, in reference to Nelson. “There are 10 agencies within Revenue, and I think (Nelson) is an all-star pick.”
Regarding Householder, Morrisey said, “I think he is ready to go and to tackle the big problems of the day.”
As Nelson and Householder – as well as Mayer and Ward – have each been nominated for a cabinet position, their appointments must be confirmed by the State Senate.
“I’ve tried to keep Senate President-elect Randy Smith updated with what’s going on,” Morrisey noted. “I’m really enjoying the working relationship with Senator Smith, and I think he’s going to do a terrific job.”
“I’ve certainly been talking with the speaker (House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay),” Morrisey added. I anticipate a good, close working relationship.”
Morrisey will be officially sworn in as West Virginia’s 37th governor on Monday, January 13.
