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WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

DIRECT EXAMINATION ... of Billie Jo Streyle-Anderson

Streyle-Anderson

CHARLESTON -- Billie Jo Streyle-Anderson recently was appointed director of the state Division of Personnel by Gov. Joe Manchin.

The youngest of four children, Streyle-Anderson's father worked for Consol Coal and her mother was a housewife. She graduated from Waynesburg College with a double major in accounting and computer science and a minor in business management. She received her law degree from Duquesne University.

After college, she joined the Charleston law firm of Bailey & Wyant.

On immediate job plans

"Presently, I am involved in several projects that, if implemented, I believe will be beneficial for the State of West Virginia. However ... we are still in the midst of researching and analyzing the projects; therefore, it would be premature to provide details."

On being an attorney in her new job

"By having a legal background, I am able to analyze any potential problems that the Division of Personnel may incur as a result of proposed language to be implemented in its policies and/or rules. Moreover, in rendering employment decisions, my legal knowledge enables me to look at the potential legal ramifications that may result by taking a particular employment course of action."

On West Virginia

"I believe that we need to focus on improving our population by maintaining our current residents and recruiting new residents by ensuring that the State maintains competitive benefits for its employees."

On drawing business to the state

"I believe the State ... needs to provide greater tax breaks and/or incentives to businesses in an effort to make conducting business in West Virginia more appealable to business entities outside of the State. I also believe that West Virginia is unjustly viewed by businesses outside of the State as being comprised of a culture of undereducated and unmotivated residents. However, as a resident of West Virginia, I am fully aware that these stigmas have no merit. The State of West Virginia is comprised of wonderful, caring, highly motivated, and highly intelligent people, and I believe that we need to implement a marketing strategy to businesses outside of the State that emphasizes the positive aspects of our culture and residents."

On leaving private practice

"I respected and valued the experience that I received in private practice at the law firm of Bailey & Wyant, P.L.L.C. and enjoyed working with my individual clients. However, I am looking forward to the opportunity of working for state government because I will have the ability to assist in the development of policies that are progressive for the State of West Virginia as a whole."

On her favorite sport

"My favorite sport to watch is football. If I didn't watch football, I don't think that my husband would have married me. I am a fan of West Virginia University and the Pittsburgh Steelers. If I stated I was a fan of any other college team, my husband would file divorce papers immediately. I am a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers because I was born and raised in Pennsylvania."

On favorite movies

"I enjoy thrillers."

On vacation

"My favorite vacation spot is the beach because it enables me to slow down my oftentimes hectic life, at least for a week."

On her perfect day

"My idea of a perfect day is to be surrounded by the people in my life that I love and appreciate. I cherish and value my family and those close to me. Due to busy schedules and living miles apart from each other, I have minimal opportunities to be spend an entire day with my family and those close to me, so, when I have that opportunity, it is my perfect day."

On the farm

"I believe that most people would be surprised to learn that I grew up on a farm. From a very young age, my mother and father instilled the values of a strong work ethic in me by making me bail hay in the summers, which, again, I believe most people would find surprising. Although, as an adolescent I did not want to work, I am thankful today that my parents made me work at an early age because I believe that has taught me to work very hard in life, which has led me to where I am today."

On other jobs

"If I were not a lawyer, I would have been a physician because my goal has always been to help people in life."

On her legal hero

"I deeply respect my former boss, Chuck Bailey. When I graduated from law school, Mr. Bailey gave me an opportunity to practice law in his firm. He was my mentor throughout the course of my employment at Bailey & Wyant and taught me everything that I know about practicing the law. He also gave me the opportunity to work on cases with autonomy and allowed me to develop relationships with my clients, which has led me to my current position as Director of the Division of Personnel."

On her big moment

"The most memorable moment of my career is when I was granted summary judgment for the first time by the Circuit Court."

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