Gov. Jim Justice has appointed Mike Graney as acting secretary of West Virginia’s Department of Economic Development. Former Secretary Mitch Carmichael, who has served in the position since its creation in 2021, is stepping away to move into the private sector, the governor’s office 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,” Gov. Justice said.
Sec. Carmichael said: “By every measure, we’ve delivered historically significant and transformative improvements for the benefit of West Virginia’s long-term economic vitality. 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. I am forever grateful to have been part of the revitalization of West Virginia’s economy.”
Mike Graney has been promoted to acting Secretary of the Department of Economic Development. Graney was first appointed Executive Director of the West Virginia Development Office by Gov. Justice in 2018 and assumed the same role when the Department of Economic Development was established in 2021.