Governor Welcomes New Staff Members Aboard His Administration 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced the selection of several staff members who have assumed job duties as members of his administration.

“Having quality people working with you is very important to the effective operations of this office. I am pleased to welcome these talented and hardworking people to my team,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. “Furthermore, I am confident that each of these individuals will use their array of skills, knowledge and commitment to help meet the needs of West Virginia’s citizens.”

Last month, Gov. Tomblin announced his senior-level staff members: chief of staff, Rob Alsop; general counsel, Kurt Dettinger; deputy chief of staff, Erica Mani; and director of communications, Jacqueline Proctor.

Joining the Tomblin administration includes Hallie Schenker Mason as director of public policy, Becky Neal as the director of intergovernmental affairs, Deborah Linz as press secretary, Jennifer Ferrell as the director of constituent services and Sherrie Stone as executive scheduler to the governor.

Hallie Schenker Mason served as a budget analyst for the West Virginia House of Delegates Finance Committee for nine years. Mason earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Mason is an alumna of Leadership West Virginia.

Becky Neal spent several years in a variety of key staff roles in the West Virginia Senate President’s (Tomblin) office. Neal also served as vice president of Government Relations and chief lobbyist for BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company for four years. Neal is a former member of the West Virginia Insurance Federation where she served on the board of directors and is former member of the Executive Committee and Secretary/Treasurer. She was also a member of the West Virginia State Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee; associate member of the Business & Industry Council and alumna of Leadership West Virginia.

Deborah Linz joins the Governor’s Office as press secretary. Prior to accepting her new role, Linz served as a longtime co-anchor of WCHS and WVAH television news. Linz has been recognized as an EMMY award-winning journalist and has received numerous votes of “Best Anchor” by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and the Associated Press.

Jennifer Ferrell began working part-time in state government during the Underwood administration. Ferrell has been with the Governor’s Office for more than ten years. A Kanawha County native, Ferrell earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

Sherrie Stone has worked in state government since 1995. She began as a Uniform Commercial Code clerk in the Secretary of State’s Office. Stone was also a staff member throughout Joe Manchin’s tenure as governor and secretary of state. She resides in Nitro with her son, Brandon.

Tweet

Contact Information