The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance Announces Billy Wayne Bailey Jr. as Deputy Cabinet Secretary

10/13/2011

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (DVA) today announced effective Monday, Oct. 17, Billy Wayne Bailey, Jr. will serve as the department’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary.

Bailey has an extensive military background that includes service in the West Virginia Army National Guard’s 1092nd Combat Engineers Battalion from 1978 to 1984, which was immediately followed by approximately 15 years of service in the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing.

In addition, Bailey is a former Sherriff of Wyoming County and represented West Virginia’s 9th state senate district for 17 years, 14 of which he served as Senate Majority Whip.

DVA Cabinet Secretary Keith Gwinn said, “Billy Wayne’s history with the National Guard combined with his experience in the legislature lays an excellent foundation for a deputy secretary. He has a great degree of knowledge and experience related to both veterans’ issues and state government processes, so I’m very excited to have him join our team,” said Gwinn. “It is my pleasure to welcome Billy Wayne aboard.”

Bailey said, “I’m looking forward to working with Secretary Gwinn and Gov. Tomblin. West Virginia really has a lot to offer and I’m both excited and honored to begin serving those who have protected our country, our state and our way of life.”

Billy Wayne Bailey Jr. is a Wyoming County native and graduate of Herndon High School. He attended Morris Harvey College, now known as the University of Charleston, as well as Marshall University.

Bailey is a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, in Beckley, where he resides with his wife, Bobbi, and their four children.

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Contact Information

Heather Miles, 304-558-3661