Governor Jim Justice has announced the appointment of Jason Pizatella to the Fairmont State University Board of Governors. In a related announcement, Gov. Justice reappointed Deborah Prezioso and Wendy Adkins.  

“As Chairman, I’d like to extend a kind welcome to Jason, and a welcome back to both Deborah and Wendy,” said David Goldberg, Chairman of the Board of Governors. “Finding such high caliber talent locally is what drives our public institutions to greater levels of achievement. I enjoy being your colleague on the Board and look forward to working with all of you in the upcoming year.” 

Pizatella, a Fairmont native, is an attorney with Spilman, Thomas & Battle, PLLC. He practices corporate law and represents various clients in the areas of administrative and regulatory law, public utilities, healthcare, and government relations. Before re-joining Spilman, he served most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Jim Justice after completing a brief stint as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce. 

“I’m ready to join Chairman Goldberg, Dr. Martin, and the entire Falcon community of administrators, faculty, students, staff, and alumni to support the strategic direction of the university,” he said. “The future of West Virginia’s economy, especially in light of the ‘new normal’ surrounding COVID-19, rests in the ability to educate the citizens of our State and to boost our workforce participation rate. Fairmont State is one of the best ‘worst kept secrets’ we have and I’m honored to join the Board of Governors of such a distinguished and well-respected institution.” 

As a lifelong West Virginia resident, Mr. Pizatella has seen first-hand the uniqueness that Fairmont State has among higher education institutions in the state.  

“A regional university like Fairmont State with its robust academic programs and strong financial position means that we are well-positioned to serve the needs of the state and our surrounding neighbors for decades to come,” he said.  

Mr. Pizatella began his career at Spilman in 2007 before joining state government in 2010 where he went on to serve as Deputy State Tax Commissioner, Acting Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Acting Secretary of the Department of Administration, and Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia recently reappointed Pizatella to another eight-year term on the West Virginia Board of Law Examiners.   

He is a graduate of West Virginia University and the West Virginias University College of Law. 
 

He is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia and the Council of State Governments’ Henry Toll Fellowship program, one of the country’s premier leadership development programs for state government leaders.

“I want to welcome Jason Pizatella to the Falcon Family,” Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University, said. “As a Fairmont native with strong ties to the community, Jason has a fondness and deep appreciation for the transformational impact Fairmont State has on individuals, the city, and the region. I look forward to working with Jason and the rest of the Board as Fairmont State continues to thrive amidst this historic crisis, and as we soar toward future success.”

Prezioso continues her time on the Board of Governors as the secretary of the Board and her appointment will end June 30, 2024.  She is the chair of the Bylaws Committee and serves on the Academic Affairs and Finance Committees. 

Adkins was appointed to the Board in July of 2019 and her term will end June 30, 2024. She serves as the Academic Affairs Committee Chair as well as on the Enrollment, Housing & Student Life Committee.