CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced the appointment of Kayla Kessinger as Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism, tapping the former state legislator and West Virginia native to build on the state's record tourism growth.
“West Virginia tourism has tremendous momentum, and Kayla is the right person to help us build on that success,” said Governor Morrisey. “She knows West Virginia, understands our communities, and shares our commitment to telling the story of what makes this state so special. Kayla will bring strong leadership and a fresh perspective to an outstanding team that is already producing record results.”
Kessinger, a native of southern West Virginia, was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2014 at the age of 21. She served four terms and rose to Assistant Majority Leader before leaving the Legislature in 2022. Since then, Kessinger has continued working on issues important to families and communities.
Kessinger takes the helm as West Virginia tourism continues to reach new heights. Last year, Tourism generated a record $9.1 billion in economic impact and supported nearly 61,000 jobs. Through Tourism Works, more than 4,000 participants have earned more than 25,000 microcredentials and more than 1,000 hours of college credit.
“Over the last several years, the Department of Tourism has changed the way people see our state and, in a lot of ways, put West Virginia on the map,” said Kessinger. “They’ve done it by showing people who we are and who we’ve always been. I cannot wait to build on that work, tell West Virginia’s story, and invite even more people to experience what makes our state so special.”
The Department of Tourism's work extends beyond promoting West Virginia as a travel destination. The department supports the arts, preserves and promotes the state's history and heritage, encourages volunteerism, and works with communities across West Virginia. Together, those efforts help protect and promote the culture and character that make West Virginia a place people want to experience.
“Tourism is about more than bringing people to West Virginia. It's about telling the story of who we are,” said Governor Morrisey. “Our history, our culture, our communities, and our people are what make this state unlike anywhere else in the country. Kayla understands what makes West Virginia special, and I know she will work every day to share that story with the rest of the world.”