Joe Thomas Named Acting State Personnel Director

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting Cabinet Secretary Mary Jane Pickens of the West Virginia Department of Administration announced that Joe Thomas has been named Acting Director of the West Virginia Division of Personnel, effective September 1, 2016. Thomas succeeds Sara Walker, who retired on August 31, 2016, after serving as director for seven years.

With 23 years of West Virginia state agency human resources service, Thomas has spent the past 17 years at the Division of Personnel. He holds a master's degree in Industrial and Employee Relations from the Marshall University Graduate College and has earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.

In July 2016, Thomas was promoted to Deputy Director for the Division of Personnel. Prior to his promotion, he served as Assistant Director of Employee Relations for the Division. 

“The position of State Personnel Director can be very challenging, but my experience with Joe indicates he is definitely up to the task,” Secretary Pickens said. “He brings experience and a wealth of knowledge to the job. I look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”