PERSONNEL FILE: Preston County commissioner named to McGraw's Citizens Advisory Committee

CHARLESTON - Citing her extensive leadership experience and government service, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has selected Preston County Commissioner Victoria Cole to serve on the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Cole, who has worked in county government since 1977, began her 24th year as a Preston County Commissioner earlier this year. As Commissioner, Cole has overseen the creation of the Economic Development Authority; the purchase of the county's Industrial Park; development of the county's courthouse annex; construction of a state-of-the-art 911 emergency coordination facility; and establishment of the county's Animal Shelter Facility and Solid Waste Management Authority.

"I feel honored to be asked to work with the Attorney General's Office," Cole said of her appointment as a Citizens Advisor. "I look forward to doing what I can to educate people, not only in my home town but wherever I can, of scams and frauds that lurk about us in these hard fiscal times.

"Anyone can fall victim to these illegal activities and I hope I can share knowledge to help protect others."

Created by McGraw in 2007, the Citizens Advisory Committee reaches out to communities throughout the state to provide personalized access to consumer protection resources for all West Virginians. It offers consumers with questions and complaints the opportunity for direct contact with a representative of the Attorney General's Office.

Cole is the newest of the 35 CAC members located around the state.

"Opening channels of communication through our Consumer Advisors is one of the most effective tools that my office can use in educating consumers," McGraw said. "It enables our citizens to make smarter choices and reduces unnecessary litigation."

Cole serves on the Preston Memorial Hospital Board and works with the Family Resource Network, Preston County Board of Education, and "each and every" Neighborhood Watch organization in the county. On the state level, Vicki has held leadership roles in the County Commissioners Association of West Virginia and the West Virginia Association of Counties. She is also very busy "being a wife, mother, and special Nanny to three granddaughters."

To contact the Citizen Advisory Committee member or a Field Representative or Consumer Advocate in your area, call Denise Tucker, Director of Field Services for the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, at 304-558-2021.

To report a scam or file a complaint, West Virginians can reach the Attorney General's Office online at www.wvago.gov or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-368-8808. For regular consumer news updates, follow "AGWestV" on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.