CHARLESTON, WV - Department of Administration Cabinet Secretary Mark D. Scott announced earlier this month the appointment of Samantha Willis as director of the State Purchasing Division. Willis will serve in a dual role as both the director and general counsel for the Division. This announcement comes after the former Purchasing Director resigned in September.
“We are excited to welcome Samantha to the Department as the State Purchasing Director,” Secretary Scott said. “She is a natural born leader with a vision for the future and will continue to move the Purchasing Division forward with integrity, focus, and commitment.”
Prior to this appointment, Willis served as Deputy General Counsel and Senior Counsel for Policy and Legislation for the West Virginia Governor’s Office from October 2021. She graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2021, where she participated in the Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic, finding a passion for collaborating with local and state governments to help West Virginia better serve West Virginians.
Willis holds a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism from Marshall University, with a minor in political science.
“In undergrad I was given the opportunity to serve as a journalism intern with the Legislature’s Joint Committee; I worked every day in the basement of the capitol building learning about and tracking the legislative process during the 2016 session,” Willis said. “I met so many incredible people and found that I really enjoy the process of government; after that I just kept coming back to Charleston and decided to focus my career toward serving my State as best I can.
“I have been blessed beyond measure with incredible opportunities and supportive friends, family, and role models to help me on my path,” she continued. “I am so grateful for this opportunity and I am so excited to continue learning, growing, and serving West Virginia every day.”