CHARLESTON, WV— Today, Governor-elect Jim Justice announced that businessman Woody Thrasher will serve as his secretary of commerce. The Governor-elect recruited Mr. Thrasher due to his experience growing jobs and his passion to serve the people of West Virginia.
Woody Thrasher is a native of Harrison County and is currently the president of The Thrasher Group, an engineering and architecture firm he started with his father in 1983. The company employs nearly 400 people and has offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. Thrasher’s company is now the largest engineering firm in the state, and one of the biggest in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Governor-elect Justice is reaching out and recruiting individuals like Woody Thrasher and Jeff Sandy who are accomplished in their field and willing to sacrifice to give back and serve West Virginia.
In 2013, the Exponent Telegram named Thrasher Entrepreneur of the Year. He is the managing partner of White Oaks business park in Bridgeport, WV which has brought over 2,000 jobs to North Central West Virginia. He served as president of the West Virginia American Council of Engineering Companies and president of the West Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. He is currently the chairman of the WVU alumni Association.
“For months and months, I always felt that if I were humbled by the people of West Virginia and elected governor, without any question, the number one guy I wanted to recruit was Woody Thrasher,” said Governor-elect Jim Justice. “He’s been on my mind for commerce secretary for a while because he understands what it takes to diversify West Virginia’s economy. Woody totally shares my vision that what we need is a better marketing and economic opportunity surrounded by jobs, jobs, jobs for the people of West Virginia.”
Governor-elect Justice continued, “He owns and operates a multitude of businesses, so I asked Woody to do what I’ve done: step up, put his businesses under the control of trusted colleagues, and serve. He has agreed to do so, and I am delighted.”
“I wouldn’t have done this for anyone other than Governor-elect Jim Justice,” said businessman Woody Thrasher. “Mr. Justice’s passion for our people inspired me to step away from my businesses and serve the people of West Virginia the best way possible. I look forward to working with the Justice Administration to create new jobs and opportunities. Just like the Governor-elect, my top priority is to turn around West Virginia. We need to think big, and I am excited to work with Governor-elect Justice make his big economic development ideas a reality.”