(Source: Charleston Daily Mail)
By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail, W.Va.
Nov. 18--The Governor's Energy Summit, slated Dec. 7 at Stonewall Resort, has an interesting agenda.
Division Director Jeff Herholdt said confirmed speakers include acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin; state Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha; Adam Victor of TransGas Development Systems; Richard Winchel of Consol Energy; Jim Crews of NiSource; Corky DeMarco of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association; and Gary Spitznogle of American Electric Power.
Also scheduled are Ed Snyder of Shepherd University; Carl Irwin of the National Research Center for Coal & Energy at West Virginia University; Kenn Davis of White Technology; Dean Cordle of AC&S; Jason Bostic of the West Virginia Coal Association; and Tom Clark of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Herholdt said other speakers may be added. He was hoping invitations would go in the mail Wednesday.
"We're not tooting our own horn -- we're showcasing how people are investing in West Virginia energy projects," he said of the summit.
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The nomination of Dunbar native Joseph A. Smith Jr. to serve as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is still being hailed by those who know him.
Smith is currently commissioner of banking in North Carolina. As reported Tuesday, the administration of President Barack Obama has nominated him to head the agency that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
"This is great news," said Joe Ellison, president and chief executive officer of the West Virginia Bankers Association. "When I first came to United (Bank) in Dunbar his Dad, Dr. Joe, was on the Board of Directors. So I have known the family for 25 years."
"This is a tremendous honor for him," Ellison said. "It also is a huge responsibility. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are broken and need to be fixed. If anyone can do it, Joe is the person to tackle the job.
"So many of these appointments are sort of symbolic," Ellison said. "This appointment will be a big challenge and lots of hard work."
Thad Woodard, president and CEO of the North Carolina Bankers Association, says Smith has been terrific to work with over the years -- a very decent and hard worker, willing to listen to all sides. Woodard also feels this is one of the hardest jobs in the universe but thinks Joe is up to the challenge.
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Bill Menke, manager of DuPont's Belle plant since 2005, has transferred back to Baton Rouge, La.
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Long-time State Public Service Commission spokeswoman Sarah Robertson has left the agency to pursue other interests. The commission's Susan Small is now handling media relations.
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