Tag: Chris Stadelman

Gov. Tomblin's Communications Director to Become Chief of Staff

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s chief of staff is resigning and his communications director is taking over the post.

A news release Wednesday says Chief of Staff Charlie Lorensen is stepping down and Communications Director Chris Stadelman is assuming the new role on Friday.

The release says Lorensen is returning to the private sector. He has served as chief of staff since his appointment in April 2013.

Stadelman joined Tomblin’s Democratic administration as communications director in May 2014.

Tomblin is hitting his two consecutive term limit. He will leave office in January after the November election.

State Officials Ready Public For Storm

As a major snowstorm bears down on West Virginia, the governor’s office is preparing the state for the storm. 

Governor Tomblin issued a state of preparedness for the state Wednesday. It allows him to activate the National Guard if necessary and make sure the department of transportation and division of highways have all the support and resources they need. Chris Stadelman is the Communications Director for the Governor’s office and said they want people to be ready for the 36-hour event that is approaching. 

“We’re already encouraging people to pay attention to the conditions, avoid travel if you can and then absolutely be responsible, if we have people that are in accidents they tie up traffic and then our snow plows get stuck in the traffic and it keeps us from getting the state assets out to be able to do what they need to do,” Stadelman said.

Stadelman said that as of Thursday afternoon, the forecast is showing that storms will likely move in from the southern coalfields into the Huntington – Charleston area around 10 to 11 a.m. The Kanawha Valley is predicted to get between 12 and 18 inches of snow. Worst case that could elevate to two feet. He says the Eastern Panhandle could get anywhere from two to three feet. The rest of the state could also see significant snowfall as well. 

Speaker to Governor: Spill Law Should Exempt Small Oil, Gas

West Virginia House Speaker Tim Miley wants Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to limit regulation on small oil and gas operators in a law responding to a January chemical spill.

In a July 9 letter, Miley said small, non-Marcellus Shale wells are in “survival mode” and should be exempt from new aboveground tank inspections and registrations.

He says inspections could cost $2,000 per well annually.

Miley urged Tomblin to lessen the impact through administrative rulemaking. He suggested an executive order to delay the law’s implementation for small wells, and a special legislative session to change it.

Spokesman Chris Stadelman says Tomblin doesn’t think executive order should be used, but his environmental agency is considering options.

A January tank leak contaminated 300,000 people’s drinking water for days with a coal-cleaning chemical.

W.Va. School Board Seat Vacant for More Than Year

The West Virginia Board of Education is waiting for the governor to fill a seat that’s been vacant for more than a year.
 
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s spokesman, Chris Stadelman, says there are statutory requirements that must be met before someone can be appointed.
 
Stadelman tells the Charleston Daily Mail that the governor is reviewing the vacancy.
 
Priscilla Haden, a Republican, resigned from the board in December 2012.
 
State code requires that no more than five Board of Education members may belong to the same political party. They also cannot be members of a political party executive committee, and cannot hold any other public office or be state or federal employees.
 
Board of Education president Gayle Manchin says the board hopes the seat is filled soon. 
 

Stadelman Tapped as New W.Va. Governor Spokesman

  Communications professional Chris Stadelman will become Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s top spokesman.

Stadelman has more than 20 years of experience in the communications field. He also served as communications director for Tomblin’s 2011 and 2012 campaigns.

Stadelman will start May 16 as Tomblin’s communications director.

He recently operated a public relations and research company and worked as director of outreach for the West Virginia Press Association.

Stadelman worked at the Charleston Daily Mail for 10 years in various roles. Stadelman and his wife Kelly operated The Parsons Advocate, a Tucker County weekly newspaper, for seven years.

Stadelman replaces Amy Shuler Goodwin, whom the governor appointed as the state tourism commissioner.

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