CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Auditor Mark Hunt has announced key appointments for the Office of the Auditor, signaling a focus on experience, diversity, and public service in his leadership team.
Michael Cook will serve in a dual role as Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer, while Caleb Hanna and David Cole have been named Deputy Chiefs of Staff. The appointments bring a mix of backgrounds and expertise that Hunt believes will enhance the office’s ability to serve the people of West Virginia.
Experienced Leadership
Michael Cook, a Raleigh County native and Concord University alumnus, joins the Auditor’s Office after serving as Director of the State Budget Office since 2018. During his tenure, Cook worked closely with the Governor and Legislature on all aspects of the state budget. With 27 years of experience and a strong rapport with both the Executive and Legislative branches, Cook brings valuable insights and financial acumen to his new role.
Caleb Hanna, a Nicholas County native and Kanawha County resident, brings a diverse professional background, including experience in healthcare and nonprofit administration. A graduate of West Virginia State University with a degree in Economics, Hanna has also served five years in the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing five counties. His public relations work for WVU Medicine hospitals in southern West Virginia further showcases his commitment to service.
David Cole, from Fayette County, adds a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors. A former Operations Manager and Director of Marketing at Mark A. Hunt & Associates, PLLC, Cole also spent over a decade in sales and operational roles at WCHS-WVAH TV. As a two-term City Councilman in Ansted, Cole worked to improve his community and will now bring that same dedication to the Auditor’s leadership team.
Vision for the Future
“I am confident that the different backgrounds our newly appointed staff members bring will be a great addition to help us provide better resources for the people of West Virginia,” said Auditor Hunt.
Hunt expressed gratitude for the work of his predecessor, J.B. McCuskey, particularly in advancing the West Virginia Checkbook, an initiative aimed at improving transparency in government spending.
Looking forward, Hunt outlined an ambitious agenda:
- Enhancing transparency and accountability for taxpayer dollars.
- Expanding public access to the Auditor’s Office throughout the state.
- Streamlining interactions with citizens and local governments.
“We have an aggressive agenda to keep an eye on the budget, transparency, and accountability for every tax dollar that is spent,” Hunt added.
The new appointments mark a fresh chapter for the Auditor’s Office as it seeks to build on its foundation of fiscal responsibility and innovation.
