4/2/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today announced that Matt Turner, director of communications for the governor, will step down on April 30 to become chief of staff at Marshall University.
Press Secretary Sara Payne Scarbro will take his place beginning May 1.
“Matt has worked tirelessly for my administration and he has done a terrific job,” the governor said. “I congratulate Matt on his new position with Marshall and wish him the best of luck. With him leaving, Sara Payne Scarbro will fill his position and I am confident that our communications office will have a smooth transition. Sara has worked with me since I took office as governor and she truly understands my administration. She is a great asset and I am confident she will do an excellent job."
Turner joined the Manchin administration in 2007 as press secretary. He became director of communications at the start of Manchin’s second term in January 2009.
“This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m honored to have worked closely with an outstanding leader and a progressive administration that works so hard to improve West Virginia,” Turner said. “I thank Gov. Manchin and everyone in state government for giving me that opportunity.”
Payne Scarbro joined the Manchin administration in 2004 as deputy press secretary. She left state government in 2008 to manage the governor’s re-election campaign, during which the governor won a historic 70 percent of the vote. She rejoined the administration in January 2009 as press secretary.
“I am honored to have this opportunity,” Payne Scarbro said. “Gov. Joe Manchin is a true public servant, who truly cares about West Virginians, and I am proud to serve on his team. I look forward to working with the governor and his administration to continue to build an even stronger West Virginia.”
Payne Scarbro received a bachelor’s d egree in journalism from Marshall University. She and her husband, Derek, live in Charleston.
Contact Information
Sarah Payne Scarbro
304-558-2000