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WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomes newly elected members and officers

Newly elected officers

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Four new members and officers have joined the West Virginia University Alumni Association Board of Directors. On Friday, June 2, J. Rob Alsop, Sharon Martin, Morris Morrison and J. Casey Rentch were elected to the board during its annual meeting.

The board also elected Malene Smith Davis of Preston County to her first term as chair; Dean Hartley of Wheeling, vice-chair; Charles Emanuel of Orlando, Florida, secretary; and Bill Beynon of Naples, Florida, as treasurer.

“The WVU Alumni Association is looking forward to working with such talented individuals for another outstanding year,” said Sean Frisbee, president and CEO.  “Rob, Sharon, Morris and Casey all bring tremendous experience and energy to the board; and we’re so lucky to have them. With the Board’s continued leadership and guidance, we can continue to work toward our goal of activating the Alumni network and truly engaging our members to connect with us.”

Rob Alsop
Rob Alsop earned his political science degree from WVU in 1999 and law degree from the WVU College of Law in 2002. In addition to working in private practice for Bowles Rice LLP, and Jackson Kelly, PLLC, Rob has extensive state and federal government experience.

From November 2010 through May of 2013, he served as chief of staff to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, where he focused on a host of legislative initiatives, including the Marcellus Shale regulatory structure, OPEB reform, primary education reform, and a host of economic development and budgetary matters. From January 2005 through November 2007, Rob served in a number of capacities for former Gov. Joe Manchin, including deputy general counsel, general counsel, for the Department of Revenue, and secretary of revenue.

During his tenure with former Gov. Manchin, he was Manchin’s designee as chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, working on the privatization of that system. He served as chief of staff for Sen. Carte Goodwin in Washington, D.C., and clerked for the Honorable Robert King, Circuit Judge for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, in Charleston and Richmond, Virginia.

Sharon Martin
With 25 years in the communications and marketing arena, Sharon Martin is the vice president for University Relations at WVU. She oversees marketing and communication, as well as brand experience, for the University.

Prior to her arrival at WVU in October 2013, Martin served as assistant vice president of marketing at Purdue University. Her professional career also includes owning a boutique marketing and communication agency, and co-founding a women’s magazine, Helen, which focused on relevant women’s issues and local community programming. Martin also worked for the Purdue Alumni Association for 13 years, ultimately serving as director of communications and editor of the bi-monthly magazine. She also chaired the Young Alumni committee, founded and advised the PAA Student Ambassador program, and partnered with University constituents on branding and messaging for University-wide events involving alumni and donors.

Martin is a member of or has served on the boards of several professional associations including National Mortar Board, Association of Women in Communications, American Marketing Association, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.

Morris Morrison
A graduate of WVU’s MSIR program, Morrison serves as President and CEO of Morrison Global Brands. His story began after the loss of his parents in New York City.  Later adopted and raised in Fairmont, Morrison’s life was dramatically influenced after the loss of his adoptive parents as a teen. Raised and supported by an entire community, Morrison is a proud West Virginian.

Today he serves as an author, business consultant and professional speaker, his cultural influence spans the globe with products that impact the growth and success of many world-leading organizations. Morrison has worked with companies such as, Microsoft, GE and Pfizer, inspiring individuals and organizations to pursue the results that matter most and using their story to change the world.

Casey Rentch
Casey Rentch is a Managing Director in the investment bank at Wells Fargo Securities. In his role at Wells Fargo, Casey serves a global group of industrial clients, providing advice on capital raising and mergers/acquisitions.

Outside the office, Rentch is an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoys horse racing and golf and is an active member of the WVU Alumni Association’s Charlotte chapter.

He graduated cum laude from WVU with a B.A. in Finance and received his MBA from the Robert H. School of Business at the University of Maryland. Rentch lives in Charlotte with his wife Jaime, and his two children, Ben and Kate.

New members are elected each year at the WVU Alumni Association’s Annual Business Meeting. Individuals can be nominated by submitting a letter of consideration to the president of the WVU Alumni Association.

-WVU-

acc/06/05/17

CONTACT: Allyson Cannon, WVU Alumni Association
304-293-0974, acannon2@mail.wvu.edu

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