Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby, a veteran of three administrations, plans to depart at the end of the month.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the departure today.
“I want to thank Chelsea Ruby for her years of leadership of the Department of Tourism and her service to the people of West Virginia,” Morrisey said.
Ruby worked in Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s communications office and served as the executive director of West Virginia’s 150th birthday celebration before Ruby became the director of marketing and communications for the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
She then served as commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Tourism for all eight years of Gov. Jim Justice’s administration.
When Morrisey was elected governor, he retained her as tourism secretary.
Most recently, she led the Department of Tourism’s America250 Capital City Celebration that welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the state Capitol Complex.
“I am grateful for Chelsea’s role in helping make our America250 program one of the absolute best in the nation,” Morrisey said.
The governor said Ruby would help during the transition period while the administration identifies the next tourism secretary.
Starting August 1, Morrisey said, the administration’s acting policy director Curtis Capehart will assume duties as acting secretary of the tourism department. The governor said Capehart has been handling tourism and many other issues for the governor’s office and will provide for a smooth transition.
“I thank Chelsea for her accomplishments and appreciate her support during the transition to the new leadership of the department. I am looking forward to building on the momentum of our tourism industry, which showcases West Virginia to visitors from across the country and around the world,” Morrisey said.
“We live in the most beautiful state in America and will continue to tell our story across the globe.”