WV Executive

Betty Carver is chief of the West Virginia Bureau of Commerce as well as commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Tourism. A life-long state resident, she was appointed to the dual positions in April 2003 after serving four months as Interim Bureau Chief and Commissioner. The Bureau of Commerce consists of eight state agencies; Division of Forestry; Geological and Economic Survey; Division of Labor; Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; Division of Natural Resources; Division of Tourism; Water Development Authority and the West Virginia Development Office.

Before being named to the top post, Carver served as deputy commissioner of tourism from January 2001 to January 2003. Working with local and state government officials and the tourism industry, she directed community relations programs and worked to establish public-private partnerships that benefited small businesses and communities. Carver was in charge of planning, logistics and coordination of the successful 2001 World Rafting Championship held in Fayette County, which was the first time the international competition had ever been held in the United States and which took place 11 days after 9/11. Also in 2001, she was designated by Governor Bob Wise to participate in a trade mission to Europe.

From 1996 to 2001, Carver was director of community relations for the Division of Tourism and in that capacity managed the state's eight Welcome Centers and served as the division's liaison with convention and visitors bureaus, tourism industry associations and members of the West Virginia Legislature.

Prior to joining the Division of Tourism, Carver served as director of scheduling and advance for Governor Gaston Caperton, special assistant to Attorney General Charlie Brown and scheduling coordinator for Governor Jay Rockefeller.

Carver is the state's representative on the Appalachian Regional Commission's Executive Council for Tourism Development, serves on the board of the Southern Travel Directors Council, serves on the Tourism Committee of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and co-chairs the Public Image Committee of A Vision Shared. She also serves on the board of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, is a board member of Cabin Creek Quilts and serves as a marketing volunteer for the Appalachian Children's Chorus.