slideshow

CHARLESTON — A Point Pleasant native has been named by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin as West Virginia’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Gale Given took the reigns as CTO on Monday and replaces Kyle Shaffer who resigned March. Given retired from an executive position with the Verizon Corporation after rising though the company’s ranks.

“When then-Gov. Bob Wise recognized Gale as a Distinguished West Virginian, Gale’s leadership and technology skills were just beginning to turn heads at her employer, Verizon,” Gov. Tomblin said. “After retiring from the telecommunications company, I am pleased Gale has decided to return home and lead the State Office of Technology where her skills and expertise will direct the future of efficient and effective governance.”

Given began her career as an engineer and, again, rose to become Verizon Corporation’s State President of West Virginia, and, most recently, the company’s State President of Pennsylvania and Regional President of Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia.

“I am so happy to be back home in the hills of West Virginia,” CTO Given said. “It is an honor to be given the opportunity to serve the citizens of the state through the work of the Office of Technology and the agencies it supports.”

Given earned her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Business Administration degrees from Marshall University. In addition, Given received an honorary doctorate from Marshall University’s School of Business in 2002, the same year she was inducted into the university’s Business Hall of Fame. Given lives in Teays Valley with her husband Joe. Together they have three children Brad, Erica and Drew.

The West Virginia Office of Technology is said to have 200 full-time and temporary staff and a $74 million budget. Givens will hold the top IT job in the state.