Spring Member Updates

WV Delegation Welcome Reception

  In February, WVSS proudly hosted the West Virginia Delegation Welcome Reception, bringing together community members to celebrate and welcome both new and returning Senators and Representatives to the 119th Congress. The evening featured remarks from Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Jim Justice, Congressman Riley Moore, and Congresswoman Carol Miller. The event united West Virginians from across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with the new delegation.   
 If you missed this event, don’t worry! You'll have another chance to get together with many West Virginia friends at the West Virginia Day Celebration on June 25, 2025, where we will have a number of vendors from the state showcasing their wares and providing a taste of West Virginia foods and beverages. Be sure to reserve your spot early.

Help create a vibrant community for West Virginians in Washington, DC!

Spotlight: Welcome Our New Board Members

We are thrilled to introduce three new leaders joining the WVSS board:

Max Hyman is Director of Transportation, Infrastructure and Labor Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. He previously worked for Senator Shelley Moore Capito in various capacities for nearly a decade. A native of Huntington, West Virginia, he is an alumnus of West Virginia University and received a master's degree from Marshall University. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and their daughter.

Michael J. Chirico, Esq., is Director of Legislative and External Affairs at American Water (NYSE: AWK), where he leads efforts to strengthen and expand key, strategic 3rd party relationships, helping to further elevate American Water's industry leading voice with policy makers and regulators across the country. He previously served in various influential roles, including Vice President of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Chief Strategy Officer for Marshall Health. A 2016 Leadership West Virginia graduate and recognized in 2019 as part of the “40 Under 40,” Chirico is also passionate about WV history, cycling, traveling, politics, and food.

Suzanne Bentzel rejoins the WV State Society after serving many years as a board member during the 1990s. Suzanne grew up in Morgantown in the 70s, graduated from West Virginia University (WVU) in 1985, and served as staff in a variety of capacities for Senators Robert C. Byrd (1988-2010) and Jay Rockefeller (2010-2014). In 2015, she jumped at the opportunity to serve her alma mater and represent the university in our Nation's Capital as WVU's Director of Federal Relations.

Stay connected to all things West Virginia!

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