CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two state officials are getting a promotion .
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced that she has appointed Chuck Flannery to serve as her new State Director.
She had this to say in a statement about her decision to promote Flannery to this position:
“After knowing and working together for years, I am thrilled to welcome Chuck back to our team,” Capito said. “With his extensive experience and relationships throughout West Virginia, I am confident that Chuck has what it takes to lead our state operation and hit the ground running as we begin a new year. I look forward to all that we will accomplish to better serve West Virginians.”
Flannery is a lifelong resident of the Mountain State and a graduate of West Virginia University. He has been serving within the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. He will officially start in the senator’s office on January 2, 2024.
In lieu of Flannery’s promotion as Capito’s State Director, Secretary of State Mac Warner announced that he has appointed Donald “Deak” Kersey as Chief Deputy & Chief of Staff for the WV Secretary of State’s Office to replace Flannery, who has served the Mac Warner administration in that position since 2017.
Kersey is currently serving as Deputy Secretary and General Counsel. He joined WVSOS in 2017 as Deputy Legal Counsel and Elections Division Director. He was appointed to General Counsel and was designated as Deputy Secretary in 2021.
Warner said this in a statement regarding Kersey:
“Deak has been a fantastic leader in my office and is more than prepared to take on the role of Chief Deputy & Chief of Staff,” Warner said. “Deak and Chuck worked very closely on advancing the office together for many years. Deak has a clear appreciation for the role and responsibilities of the Secretary of State.”
Kersey is also a WVU graduate from the College of Law.
Warner continued to address Flannery’s leave by adding this:
“Chuck has done a wonderful job for our office and the people of West Virginia, and he has been an integral part of our administration,” Warner said. “He’s helped steer this office into highly successful endeavors, both in the elections arena and in the business and licensing realm. Together, we have revolutionized the office and brought national acclaim to West Virginia. Chuck has been instrumental in every major project, policy, and initiative we’ve undertaken since I took office.”
Warner said that he will host a lunchtime reception to recognize Flannery next Tuesday, Dec. 19. The reception will take place from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm in the Governor’s Conference Room in the State Capitol.