|Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography|
Department of Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael speaks to the Senate Finance Committee during the 2023 legislative session.
CHARLESTON – Mitch Carmichael, the former lawmaker who became the first cabinet secretary of the new Department of Economic Development, is the latest of Gov. Jim Justice’s administration officials to leave as the governor wraps up his second and final term.
In a statement Thursday night, Justice announced that Carmichael is stepping down as cabinet secretary of the Department of Economic Development. It was not clear from the statement when the resignation takes effect, but Justice said Carmichael was leaving to return to the private sector.
“I want to thank Secretary Carmichael for his incredible work over the years,” Justice said. “When we reshaped our thinking about economic development and made it an entire department, there was no better person to lead the charge than Mitch. He’s business savvy, loves West Virginia, and is a rockstar in every sense of the word.”
“It’s been an honor to serve under Gov. Justice, and I thank him for the opportunity to bring his economic vision to life in this role,” Carmichael said. “By every measure, we’ve delivered historically significant and transformative improvements for the benefit of West Virginia’s long-term economic vitality.”
The Department of Economic Development was created by the West Virginia Legislature in 2021 on behalf of Justice, splitting the new department – formerly known as the West Virginia Development Office – away from the Department of Commerce along with the Division of Tourism, which became the new Department of Tourism.
Carmichael became executive director of the West Virginia Development Office in February 2021 after losing re-election to the state Senate in 2020 after representing Jackson, Mason, and Putnam counties beginning in 2013. He was defeated by current state Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason. Carmichael was appointed to head the Department of Economic Development in May 2021.
Carmichael served as president of the West Virginia Senate beginning in 2017 after former president Bill Cole lost a 2016 election for governor. Carmichael previously served in the House of Delegates representing Jackson County from 2001 to 2013. In the private sector, Carmichael worked for Frontier Communications and later Citynet as business development manager.
During his nearly four years, Carmichael oversaw the recruitment of several major manufacturers to the state, including the Form Energy grid battery project in Weirton, and the Berkshire Hathaway/Timet titanium melt facility near Ravenswood. The department is also in charge of broadband expansion in the state. In 2023, the state was awarded $1.2 billion through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
“Our incredible work has resulted in more jobs, more investment, more broadband connectivity, more energy, and more community advancement than at any time in the history of West Virginia,” Carmichael said. “I am forever grateful to have been part of the revitalization of West Virginia’s economy.”
“We’ve seen unbelievable growth and progress over the last few years, and it’s in part because of Mitch’s forward-thinking mindset,” Justice said. “He’s been a real asset to the State of West Virginia. I’m incredibly thankful for what he’s done, and I wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Justice also announced that Mike Graney, executive director of the department, has been appointed acting secretary. Graney was first appointed the executive director of the former West Virginia Development Office by Justice in 2018.
Friday also marked the last day for James Bailey, cabinet secretary for the Department of Commerce. Bailey, who was appointed by Justice in 2022 after serving as a deputy secretary and general counsel, is heading to the private sector to practice law at Spilman Thomas and Battle.
Earlier this week, Justice announced the appointment of Mark Sorsaia, the cabinet secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, as a circuit judge in Putnam County. Sorsaia, who was appointed by Justice in 2023, will be succeeded by deputy secretary Rob Cunningham.
Mark Scott, the former cabinet secretary of the Department of Administration, resigned in July after being confronted by officials in the Governor’s Office over Scott’s leadership and fundraising for a political action committee that advocated for several Republican primary candidates, including Economic Development Authority Executive Director Kris Warner’s campaign for secretary of state.