Morrisey hires director of communications

CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced Feb. 5 that the managing editor of The State Journal will be his communications director.

Morrisey hired Beth Gorczyca Ryan to serve as director of communications. She will join the office on Feb. 11.

“I am extremely excited to attract someone of Beth’s caliber to the Attorney General’s office,” Morrisey said.

“With more than a decade of experience in journalism, Beth will be an outstanding resource for the State, providing much-needed informational services to West Virginians on the many important issues being handled by the Attorney General’s office.”

As director of communications, Ryan will oversee all media relations, public outreach and consumer education announcements on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

Before she was managing editor, Ryan was the senior staff writer for The State Journal for five years. Prior to that job, she was the special projects reporter for the Herald-Dispatch in Huntington for three years.

The Attorney General's Office's staff is in a period of transition. Morrisey, a Republican, defeated longtime AG Darrell McGraw in November's election. McGraw was seeking a sixth term.

From the West Virginia Record: Reach John O'Brien at jobrienwv@gmail.com.