CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced key appointments to state boards, recognizing outstanding West Virginians who bring extensive experience and a dedication to serving the people of our state.
West Virginia Parole Board
Governor Morrisey has appointed Donnie Lee Adkins II to the West Virginia Parole Board. A respected legal professional, Adkins is the owner and operator of The Aspen Law Office in Raleigh County and brings extensive experience in criminal defense law to his new role.
A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Adkins earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from West Virginia University in 1999. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctor from WVU in 2004, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law and Government from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2006.
Adkins has served in both federal and state legal roles, including as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Kanawha County from 2013 to 2014. He resides in Daniels, West Virginia.
Consolidated Public Retirement Board
Captain Richard E. Stephenson has been appointed to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. Captain Stephenson currently serves as the Director of Executive Services for the West Virginia State Police and brings more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the position.
Captain Stephenson began his career with the West Virginia State Police in 2000, graduating from the Basic Class at the State Police Academy. In 2004, he completed the Cadet Class, earning the prestigious Outstanding Officer Award. Over the years, Stephenson has served in various roles, including Uniform Road Trooper, Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Coordinator of the Central West Virginia Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
Since 2016, Stephenson has served as the Director of State Police Aviation, overseeing pilots and helicopter operations for the agency. He also represents the West Virginia State Police on the State Police Retirement Board and is deeply committed to advocating for the well-being of his fellow troopers and other public employees.
West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine Board of Governors
Governor Morrisey has appointed Raymond I. Joseph to the West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine Board of Governors. Ray has been the Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia Association of REALTORS® since 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from WVU, is certified to teach in five states and holds over 10 professional designations, including GRI, ABR, GREEN, SRES, SRS, MRP, RSPS, ePro, and SFR. He is a trained mediator and is certified by the National Association of REALTORS® to teach the national REALTOR® safety course and a member of NAR’s Safety Committee. He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Members Choice Federal Credit Union and is an active board member on several statewide organizations focused on housing, economic development, and public policy. Raymond and his wife Felice, married for 32 years, are proud parents of two children, Ike, a nurse studying to become a nurse anesthetist, and Dr. Brittany Joseph, a practicing dentist in Charleston. Their family also includes Sammi, a tri-color Australian Shepherd and Penny a blue merle Half Huskie Half cattle Dog Rescue. The Family resides in Charleston, WV.
Hope Scholarship Board
Governor Morrisey has reappointed Jamion Wolford, CPA, MBA to the Hope Scholarship Board. Jamion Wolford is husband to Taran Wolford and father to two elementary school age daughters. He is a Christian serving his community and state through participation in multiple non-profit organizations and as the CFO for Governor Patrick Morrisey’s Office. As a native West Virginian, Jamion grew up outside of Keyser, WV on a family farm and attended public schools in Mineral County. He obtained a degree in accounting from West Virginia Wesleyan College, an MBA from Marshall University, and a Certificate of Forensic Account from WVU. He is passionate about education and desires all children to be enabled to have an educational experience that inspires them to be lifelong learners.
Board of Medicine
Governor Morrisey appointed Abdul Rahman Zanabli, MD to the West Virginia Board of Medicine. Dr. Zanabli has an exemplary career as a medical professional. He graduated from the University of Aleppo School of Medicine, Aleppo, Syria in 1993. He then did an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL from 1995 – 1998. He then completed a Nephrology Fellowship at Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI from 1998-2000, this was followed by a Transplant Nephrology (Transplant Medicine) Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, Willian J Von Liebig Transplant Center in Rochester, MN in 2007. Since moving to West Virginia in 2017, “Dr. Z” had dedicated his career to providing excellent care, expanding access and strengthening systems that protect patients. Dr. Zanabli established Charleston Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant, PLLC in South Charleston, WV where he has served over 50,000 West Virginians. His satellite offices brought critical services to rural and underserved communities including Chapmanville, Madison, Parkersburg, Ripley, Beckley, Montgomery and dialysis units in Dunbar, Montgomery and Marietta. Dr. Z has served as the Director of Acute Dialysis at Thomas Memorial Hospital, Chief of Medicine at CAMC and Director of Outpatient Dialysis Units in Dunbar and Montgomery. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Z has been an instructor and has published numerous works, studies, research and abstracts. He resides in Charleston, WV with his wife, Nasrin Chbarek, who works at mountaineer Montessori school. They have 3 children.