CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has appointed Marie Prezioso as executive director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority.
The announcement was made Thursday and comes after the retirement of former executive director Chris Jarrett.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, Prezioso has experience working on multiple bond issues of West Virginia agencies, including the state Water Development Authority, state Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council and state School Building Authority. She retired from the state public finance office in 2016.
“I am pleased that Marie Prezioso has agreed to serve the citizens of West Virginia in this position,” Justice said. “She has more than three decades of professional experience in public finance, investments and banking and is very familiar with the issues facing the Water Development Authority.”
The state Water Development Authority work to provide communities with assistance in developing related infrastructure while also protecting public health.
Justice appointed Gary Sutphin, of Beckley, to fill the vacancy created by Prezioso’s appointment. Sutphin has spent more than 15 years in the private sector, and retired as the recorder/treasurer for Beckley in 2013 after 24 years with the city.