New Chief Appointed for WV Water Development Authority
Marie L. Prezioso has been appointed executive director of the agency, effective July 27, 2017. She replaces former executive director Chris Jarrett, who retired following an ethics investigation.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has appointed Marie L. Prezioso of Charleston, W.Va., executive director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority, effective July 27, 2017. She replaces former executive director Chris Jarrett, who retired following an ethics investigation, Eric Eyre of the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported.
"I am pleased that Marie Prezioso has agreed to serve the citizens of West Virginia in this position," said Gov. Justice. "She has more than three decades of professional experience in public finance, investments, and banking and is very familiar with the issues facing the Water Development Authority."
Prezioso has worked on billions of dollars in bond issues for the state of West Virginia and its authorities, including the Water Development Authority, Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, Economic Development Authority, School Building Authority, Higher Education Policy Commission, Department of Transportation, and numerous West Virginia colleges and universities. Most recently she was senior vice president and manager of the West Virginia public finance office for Piper Jaffray & Co. She retired from that position in 2016.
"I am honored that Governor Justice has appointed me to lead the Water Development Authority," Prezioso said. "I look forward to serving the state and building upon the successes and strengths of the authority."
Justice also appointed Gary Sutphin of Beckley, W.Va., to the Water Development Authority Board to fill the vacancy created by Prezioso's appointment. Sutphin, who spent more than 15 years in private industry as a business manager and controller, retired as recorder/treasurer from the city of Beckley in 2013 after serving in that position for 24 years. "Gary Sutphin brings a strong background in finance to the Water Development Authority board, and I am confident that his many years of professional expertise will greatly assist the board in its work," Justice said.
The West Virginia Water Development Authority serves as a revenue bond bank that provides financing for construction of wastewater and water facilities to various local government agencies. Its mission is to provide West Virginia communities with financial assistance for development of wastewater, water, and economic infrastructure, as well as protecting streams and public health, improving quality of drinking water, and encouraging economic growth.