PERSONNEL FILE: Pizatella named Tomblin's Legislative Director

CHARLESTON -- Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced the selection of Jason C. Pizatella to serve as Legislative Director in the Governor's office. The appointment is effective immediately.

Pizatella's prior state government service includes serving as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the West Virginia State Tax Department, serving as counsel to the State Senate Committee on Government Organization and Committee on Finance in the 79th West Virginia Legislature and working in the office of former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise.

"I am pleased to appoint Jason Pizatella as Legislative Director. Jason is an energetic individual with a tremendous depth of experience in state government. He works well with the legislature and will be a great addition to the office and our team," Tomblin said.

Prior to serving as the Deputy State Tax Commissioner, Pizatella practiced law at Spilman, Thomas and Battle in Charleston where he supported the firm's clients in the areas of general corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, administrative law, as well as state and federal government relations and regulatory law.

Pizatella has authored or co-authored articles that have been published by the West Virginia Law Review and the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. He also serves as the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section of the West Virginia State Bar.

Pizatella is a 2007 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law and a 2004 graduate of the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. While at WVU, he was awarded the Order of Augusta for his outstanding academic performance, campus leadership and public service. The award is the most prestigious student honor.

Pizatella is a native of Fairmont and currently resides in Charleston.