Inside the
Department of Commerce
Photo by Tracy A. Toler Photography.
Q&A with Ed Gaunch
JENNIFER JETT PREZKOP
In December 2018, Governor Jim Justice appointed Ed Gaunch as secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
A native of Boone County, Gaunch graduated from West Virginia State University with degrees in economics and political
science. After retiring from a career in the insurance industry, he ran for and won a seat in the West Virginia Senate in 2014.
With a résumé boasting a strong foundation in economics, business and state government, Gaunch proudly began his term as
commerce secretary in January.
After six months with the commerce department, West Virginia Executive magazine sat down with Gaunch to discuss the
state’s economy and his plans for taking advantage of available opportunities, attracting new businesses to the Mountain State
and developing an economic plan that takes into consideration the unique characteristics of the state’s many regions.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE