Justice appoints former Sen. Bob Ashley, a Republican, to be legislative director

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Outgoing Republican state Senator Bob Ashley will serve as the legislative director for Governor-elect Jim Justice, a Democrat, the transition team announced today.

That appointment was the first of a string of announcements put out this morning by the incoming Justice administration.

“We are building a top-notch team that will help our state achieve greatness,” Justice stated in a news release.

“They will each bring a unique skill set to my office. I am honored that we will have such  talented and dedicated public servants in the governor’s office working to make my administration a success.”

Ashley brings 30 years of experience in the Legislature to his new job leading the legislative team for Justice. Both houses of West Virginia’s Legislature flipped to Republican majorities in 2014 and remained so after the 2016 general election.

“It doesn’t matter to me if the people serving in my administration are a Democrat or a Republican if they love this state and have the skills to get us to number one I want them,” Justice stated in a release about the appointment. “Bob’s experience in the House and Senate and his strong relationships on both sides of the aisle make him the perfect fit to break through any log jam in the Legislature.”

Bob Ashley

Ashley, 63, of Spencer replaces Joseph Garcia, who was the legislative affairs director for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

In the Senate, Ashley was defeated in the 2016 general election by fellow incumbent Republican Donna Boley. Ashley had been appointed to a Senate seat in 2015 by Governor Tomblin to replace departing Sen. David Nohe. Instead of filing to run for that seat, Ashley filed to run against the seat held by Boley.

Ashley was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1984 and went on to serve as Republican Leader in the 72nd and 73rd Legislatures. He was appointed to the state Senate in 2015. He was a Delegate-at-Large to Republican National Convention 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2012.

Ashley is the owner of Ashley Insurance Agency. He is a graduate of Marshall University.  He is also a member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and served more than 20 years on the Board of Directors for Roane General Hospital. He is a member of the Spencer, WV Rotary Club and the former president of the Allohak Boy Scout Council.

“Bob Ashley is a dedicated public servant who knows the issues facing our state inside and out, and I’m thrilled to have him on our team,” Justice stated in the news release.

Ashley stated, “It’s an honor to continue serving the state I love, and I look forward to this new opportunity to help Governor-elect Justice make West Virginia thrive. The Governor-elect is truly nonpartisan and wants to work closely with the Legislature to get things done. The governor’s office and the Legislature must work together to attack the budget crisis and create jobs, and I am excited to do everything I can to make that happen.”

The other newly-announced appointments include:

Jason Pizatella as deputy chief of staff: Pizatella is an attorney and has worked in some leadership capacity for the last three West Virginia governors, Justice will be the fourth. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for state Auditor in 2016. Currently, Pizatella is the president and chief executive officer of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, an organization representing over 400 businesses throughout greater Morgantown and Monongalia County.

Pizatella’s roles with the state have included a wide range of leadership roles including deputy state tax commissioner, acting secretary of the Department of Revenue, acting secretary of the Department of Administration, and a prior stint as deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s Office while also serving as the liaison to the state Legislature.  A lifelong West Virginian and native of Fairmont, Marion County, Pizatella graduated from West Virginia University and the West Virginia University College of Law.

Derek Scarbro as director of intergovernmental affairs: Scarbro has been in public service for his entire professional career. He has served in four different state government departments, was the executive director of the West Virginia Democratic Executive Committee from 2009-13, and most recently worked as campaign manager for Justice for Governor. He is now serving as the director of Governor-elect Justice’s transition team.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in 2003. He is married to Sara Payne Scarbro, who now serves as Sen. Joe Manchin’s senior advisor.  Derek, Sara, and their daughter Willa, reside in Charleston.

Pam Rhodes, assistant to the governor and director of scheduling: Rhodes has worked for the Justice Corporation for the last 17 years, where she served as the executive assistant to Jim Justice. Justice has described her as an invaluable resource while he managed more than 100 businesses. She worked for several West Virginia banks prior to her work at the Justice Corporation. Pam and her husband, Richard, are both natives of Beckley. She attended Mountain State University where she earned a degree in banking and finance.





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