CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Tuesday the selection of Jason C. Pizatella, Esq. to serve as legislative director in the Governor’s office.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Pizatella’s prior state government service includes serving as deputy commissioner and chief of staff of the West Virginia State Tax Department, serving as counsel to the state Senate Committee on Government Organization and Committee on Finance in the 79th West Virginia Legislature and working in the office of former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise.

Pizatella also practiced law at Spilman, Thomas and Battle, PLLC in Charleston and has authored or co-authored articles that have been published by the West Virginia Law Review and the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. He also serves as the secretary of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section of the West Virginia State Bar.

Pizatella is a 2007 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law and a 2004 graduate of the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. While at WVU, he was awarded the Order of Augusta for his outstanding academic performance, campus leadership and public service.

Pizatella is a native of Fairmont, W.Va. and currently resides in Charleston.