Advisory Council

A native West Virginian, Bill is the President of the WestVirginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA), which represents companies that make products in the Mountain State as well as associate member companies who aredependent on manufacturing for their livelihoods. Bill previously served as State Director for United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito, led the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, was President of the Kentucky Coal Association, and was the Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President for Communications at Marshall University. Bissett earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Marshall University, in addition to receiving his commission in the United States Army. Bill is member of both the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications Hall of Fame at Marshall University and the West Virginia Public Relations Hall of Fame.

Rachel has over 21 years of experience in workforce service delivery activities, with a deep understanding of the myriad personal challenges facing West Virginians and a practical understanding of the many facets of the state’s workforce system. She's a true West Virginian, having graduated from WV State University and now residing on a farm with her menagerie just a few miles from the state Capitol.

With an Ed.D in Educational Leadership studies, an Ed.S in Education Supervision, and a B.S. in Mathematics, Teresa has served as a teacher, professor, and college administrator. With years in classroom math education, Teresa was awarded the WV Teacher of the Year award. As the Dean of Marshall University's Graduate School of Education and Professional Development for the past decade and earlier as coordinator of Marshall's doctoral programs in education, Teresa has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of West Virginia educators.

Amber, a lifelong resident of West Virginia, is a seasoned medical professional with 23+ years' experience, known for her meticulousness and leadership. Skilled in communication, relationship-building, and project management, as Director of Workforce Development at the WV Hospital Association, she coordinates retention and workforce pipeline activities, connecting stakeholders, supporting programs, and analyzing data for informed decisions. With a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and a BBA from Marshall University, Amber is dedicated to supporting a healthy West Virginia.

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Mendy Marshall has been employed by the West Virginia Department of Education’s CTE Division for 28 years. Twenty-one of those years have been spent in the Adult Education Office, and she has served as the Director of Adult Education since 2016.  Mendy has accumulated a deep understanding of the needs of adult learners in West Virginia, and learning how to work with community-based organizations, employers, and colleges to improve access to education and workforce training opportunities. Mendy is driven by seeing the successes of adult students who have overcome a barrier to education and employment.

With a PhD in Higher Education Administration, Casey has served in a wide variety of higher education posts and brings a wide grasp of challenges and opportunities in higher education. Casey served as Assistant Provost at the Colorado Community College System office reimaging developmental education.  This was followed by a position as Vice Chancellor at the West Virginia Community and Technical College System interrupted by 2 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Community Colleges at the US Department of Education. Casey serves on the boards of the Thomas Hospital Foundation and the SkillPointe Foundation, and as a trustee of the Home Builders Institute.

Jimmy has over25 years of experience in Municipal Government Human Resources, Finance and City Management. He currently is the Manager of Human Resources for HREA, Inc, a non-profit electric Utility Company in Harrison County WV. A lifelong resident of WV, he has given back through numerous volunteer roles. For over 20years, he has been a volunteer for the SHRM and is currently the WV State Director. He also is the current President of the Harrison County Planning Commission and has previously been the President/Chair for Local School Improvement Councils and PTA’s in the Harrison County School System. He has a degree from Marshall University and holds the SPHR, SHRM-SCP and IPMA-SCP professional human resource certifications.

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