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West Virginia Economic Development Reorganized

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin signed last week legislation establishing the Department of Commerce and streamlining the support operations for the state’s economic development efforts. Senate Bill 1002, approved during the recent special session of the West Virginia Legislature, renamed the Bureau of Commerce the Department of Commerce. The bill encompasses all of the divisions, offices, boards and commissions under the former Bureau, with the exception of the Water Development Authority and Economic Development Authority – two agencies that become independent.

S.B. 1002 also establishes the governor as chairman and board member for seven agencies: the Economic Development Authority, the Public Energy Authority, the Water Development Authority, the Jobs Investment Trust, the Infrastructure Council, the Housing Development Authority and the School Building Authority.

People

Galynn Beer succeeds Johnny Roy as the new chairman of the board of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

Jeff Brancato has been named Associate Vice President for Economic Development of University of Massachusetts.

Victor Budnick, executive director of Connecticut Innovations, has announced his retirement effective April 1.

Chris Capelli, currently director of the technology transfer office at University of Pittsburgh, is leaving to become vice president for technology transfer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

People

Galynn Beer succeeds Johnny Roy as the new chairman of the board of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

People

Jeff Brancato has been named Associate Vice President for Economic Development of University of Massachusetts.

People

Victor Budnick, executive director of Connecticut Innovations, has announced his retirement effective April 1.

People

Chris Capelli, currently director of the technology transfer office at University of Pittsburgh, is leaving to become vice president for technology transfer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

People

The University of Cincinnati has appointed Anne Chasser to serve as associate vice president for technology transfer and commercialization in the school's Office of Research.

People

Ladd Christensen and Martin Frey are the new co-directors of the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development.

People

Oleg Kagonovich has been promoted to the position of CEO of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. He formerly served as Chief Operating Officer.

People

Mike Koop, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Community & Economic Development, is resigning effective March 1 to return to the private sector.

People

Richard Lunak is the new CEO of Innovation Works and Ron Bianchini has been named chairman of the organization.

People

Envision Utah appointed Alan Matheson as executive director of the Coalition for Utah's Future, the sponsor of Envision Utah.