Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the appointment of three new members to the West Virginia University Board of Governors, selecting leaders with experience in infrastructure, agriculture and education to help guide the institution’s future.
Appointees include Paul A. Mattox Jr., former state transportation secretary; Charles Wilfong, longtime president of the West Virginia Farm Bureau; and Terry Hauser, a dairy farmer and agricultural educator.
“These three distinguished West Virginians bring extraordinary experience that will be instrumental in steering West Virginia University into the future,” Morrisey said in a statement. “With decades of proven leadership at the highest levels, they are uniquely equipped to help WVU thrive and continue producing the next generation of leaders.”
Paul A. Mattox Jr., P.E.
Mattox returns to the board after his previous seat was eliminated due to recently enacted legislation. He served as the state’s commissioner of highways beginning in 2005 and was appointed transportation secretary in 2006, holding both posts until 2017. He is the longest-serving person to lead the state’s transportation department and is credited with major infrastructure improvements across West Virginia.
Mattox is a registered professional engineer in six states and a licensed land surveyor in West Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from WVU Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in engineering from Marshall University.
Charles Wilfong
Wilfong, a fourth-generation farmer from Pocahontas County, has led the West Virginia Farm Bureau since 1997 and operates Wilfong Farms with his family. The farm spans more than 10,000 acres and supports thousands of head of cattle and sheep.
Wilfong has also served on numerous state and national boards, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Southern States Cooperative and the West Virginia Beef Industry Council. He is a recipient of the WVU Extension Service’s Champions Award.
Terry Hauser
Hauser is the owner and operator of Dell Ridge Farms, a dairy operation with a $1.3 million facility. He currently teaches agriculture at Preston High School and has held similar positions at multiple high schools in West Virginia and Maryland. In 2022, he presented at the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
Hauser has served as vice chair of the Dairy Farmers of America Young Farmer Program and was named West Virginia Outstanding Young Farmer.
