Ruby departing as state tourism head; Morrisey appoints new members to WV House, First Foundation

West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby, who has worked under three different administrations, will be leaving her job at the end of July, according to a Thursday news release from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Ruby has served as the Secretary of Tourism since 2021, when she was named by former Gov. Jim Justice to head the division after spending four years as tourism commissioner. Curtis Capehart, who works as Morrisey’s director of policy, will serve as acting secretary for tourism starting on Aug. 1. Ruby, per the news release, will be staying on board to help with the transition within the office.

“I thank Chelsea for her accomplishments and appreciate her support during the transition to the new leadership of the Department,” Morrisey said in his news release. “I am looking forward to building on the momentum of our tourism industry, which showcases West Virginia to visitors from across the country and around the world. We live in the most beautiful state in America and will continue to tell our story across the globe.”

Ruby started with the state under Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, working on his communications team. She later became the director of marketing and communications for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, also under Tomblin. When Justice was elected in 2016, he appointed her as commissioner of the state’s Division of Tourism and in 2021, she was named by Justice to be secretary of tourism. She remained in that position when Morrisey was elected governor in 2024.

As secretary, Ruby has overseen several changes within the tourism division as well as numerous projects. In 2025, as budget cuts loomed under Morrisey’s pledge to stop “wasteful” government spending, the Legislature approved abolishing the formerly independent state Department of Arts, Culture, and History and moving it under the Division of Tourism. Ruby oversaw the merging between the two departments.

Most recently, Ruby helmed the state’s America 250 celebration at the Capitol grounds. Morrisey said he was “grateful” for her work on the event, which featured several concerts, a mega Ferris wheel and more for residents over the July 4 weekend.

Morrisey also appoints new House member, two members to the WV First Foundation board of directors

In addition to announcing Ruby’s departure from the Division of Tourism, Morrisey also announced Thursday that Aaron Holley would replace former Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, in the state House of Delegates.

Linville — who has served in the House since Justice appointed him to a seat in 2018 — stepped down from the body in late June after losing the primary election to Holley in May. Linville resigned to accept an appointment as Morrisey’s new “Director of Special Projects.”

Holley beat Linville in the May primary by just three votes, with 650 to Linville’s 647 total. The race was too close to be called on election night. There is no Democrat listed as running for the 22nd district seat in the November general election. 

According to his website, Holley is a longtime employee of the CSX Corporation, a railway company. He lists three areas of focus on his campaign site: expanding job and business opportunities, supporting youth sports and growing educational opportunities for trade workers.

Holley initially challenged Linville for his House seat in the 2024 primary, but lost by 46 votes. There was, again, no Democratic candidate for the seat that year.

On the First Foundation, Morrisey made two appointments to the board of directors, which oversees operations at the private nonprofit that was created by the Legislature several years ago to distribute the state’s share of opioid settlement funds.

Nick Fantasia, of Marion County, was appointed to an expiring term on the board that ends on June 30, 2029. Morrisey said Fantasia “brings extensive experience in substance abuse treatment, mental health and health care policy” to the First Foundation board.

Fantasia previously served a decade as the mayor of Fairmont and separately sat on the Fairmont City Council for five terms. He currently operates a residential real estate rental and development company and has held seats on numerous boards. He also currently works as secretary on the state’s Parkways Authority board.

Morrisey appointed Rebecca Miller, of Hampshire County, to fill the First Foundation board position previously vacated by Matthew Harvey in October. Miller will serve until the board term expires on June 30, 2027.

Harvey resigned from the board last year to accept a nomination from President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Harvey was confirmed by Congress and sworn into the position in October 2025.

Miller, a Republican, currently serves as the prosecuting attorney for Hampshire County. Morrisey said she “brings experience in law enforcement, substance abuse treatment and mental health” to the First Foundation board.

“Nick and Rebecca bring valuable experience that will strengthen the West Virginia First Foundation’s important work,” Morrisey said. “Their backgrounds in behavioral health, recovery and public safety will help ensure opioid settlement funds are invested wisely to support West Virginians and the communities affected by substance use disorder.”