12/20/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the appointment of Keith Burdette as the new cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Commerce. Burdette, a former legislator and president of the Area Roundtable and the Wood County Development Authority, succeeds Kelley Goes as head of the state’s Commerce Department. Kelley Goes will be taking on the role as state director for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, beginning in January.
Burdette spent several years in the West Virginia Legislature, serving two terms in the House of Delegates. In 1989, he became the youngest person elected as Senate President in the state’s history at the age of 34. Upon leaving the legislature in 1994, Burdette formed a government relations and consulting business. Following his stint in the private sector, Burdette joined the Wise administration, serving as a senior assistant to former Gov. Bob Wise, as well as the director of policy and legislative relations during that time period.
“Keith has a very strong combination of legislative knowledge and a thorough business acumen that will allow West Virginia’s strong and growing presence in the global business community to continue,” Gov. Tomblin said. “I have had the opportunity to work alongside Keith as a colleague in the State Senate and I know that his work ethic and competitive drive will serve this state well. I look forward to having him on board.”
Burdette has played an important role bringing economic development projects into reality for Wood County. As president of the Area Roundtable, Burdette assisted with the recruitment of Hino Motors, the expansion of Coldwater Creek, the construction of the new Mountain State Blue Cross & Blue Shield headquarters, along with a host of other development projects in the Wood County area.
Burdette commented that he is honored to have the opportunity to serve the state in this new capacity. “I know that Governor Tomblin is fully committed to creating jobs and is continuously looking for ways to attract new opportunities in West Virginia and it is my true desire to be a part of that mission,” said Burdette.
Joining Burdette at the Dept. of Commerce will be Angel R. Moore. Moore will serve as the department’s general counsel. She is a former attorney with the law firm, Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP. A native of Matewan, W.Va., Moore graduated from West Virginia University’s College of Law in 2005. She also received a bachelor's degree (1993) and a master's degree (1997) in business administration from Marshall University.
Moore is a former general manager of the Moore Auto Group located in Williamson and is a member of several professional and community-related organizations including the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Bar Association.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000