FSU Names Assistant to the President and Director of Communications
Fairmont State University has named Mary Jo Thomas as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications. She will begin her duties on Monday, Feb. 22.
"I am confident that Mary Jo's more than 40 years of executive experience will be a great addition to the President's Office. She will be focusing on board operations, special projects and communications," said Tom Krepel, FSU President.
A long-time resident of Fairmont, Thomas has had a long association with Fairmont State as a volunteer leader.
"I love Fairmont State University and am looking forward to this new opportunity to serve," she said.
Mary Jo Thomas has been involved with FSU for many years and currently serves as president of the Board of Directors of the Fairmont State Alumni Association, as well as Executive Committee member and Governance Committee Chair for the Fairmont State Foundation Board of Directors.
In the community, she serves as Vice President of the United Way Board of Directors; Vice President of the Gamma Chi Chi Alumnae; Chair of the Board of Trustees and member of the United Methodist Women of Gateway United Methodist Church; Executive Committee member of the Woman's Club of Fairmont; member of the Public Policy and Legislative Committee of the Board of Directors for the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC); Protocol Chair for GFWC West Virginia and North Central District; and holds membership in and supports Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation, Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Main Street Fairmont, Operation Image, South Fairmont Rotary, Marion County's Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) Committee Chair and the Order of the Eastern Star Fairmont Chapter No. 34.
Thomas retired after a career of public service that included a number of administrative posts with both the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the Virginia Department of Social Services. While in Virginia, she was a loaned executive to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for two years heading a team to develop accountability processes in the child care arena. She retired from the Virginia Department of Social Services as Director of Child Care and Development and returned home to Fairmont.
She has held a number of offices in both professional and volunteer organizations at all levels and has received a number of awards/recognitions. She is a trained facilitator and frequent guest speaker and workshop leader. She was named an Everyday Hero by the Times West Virginian.
Her daughter Rosemary is Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation at Salisbury University.
Thomas replaces Sarah Hensley, who resigned her position earlier this month to accept the position of Director of Public and Community Relations for Pierpont Community & Technical College.
Mary Jo Thomas
Mary Jo ThomasAssistant to the PresidentDirector of Communications
