Governor appoints John “JD” DeVaul to Fairmont State Board of Governors Page Title

As 2024 was coming to an end, then Governor Jim Justice appointed Fairmont State alumnus John "JD" DeVaul to the University's Board of Governors. DeVaul replaces Kevin Rogers, and his term will expire June 2026.  

"I am very excited to welcome JD DeVaul to our Board," said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. "I also want to take this opportunity to thank Kevin Rogers for his decades of service to our university and for his years of service on our Board of Governors. He is a true partner and Falcon. I look forward with working with him on future initiatives to advance Fairmont State." 

DeVaul is a 2008 graduate of Fairmont State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. In 2012 he graduated from West Virginia University with a master's degree in safety management. DeVaul then went on to earn a second master's degree in human resources and employment relations from Penn State University in 2020.

"I thank God for having been appointed to the Fairmont State University Board of Governors," said DeVaul. "This is a blessing and especially meaningful, as both my wife and I are proud graduates of Fairmont State University. It is a privilege to give back to the institution that has played such an important role in our lives. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to support Fairmont State's mission and ensure its continued success for future generations."

Much of DeVaul's experience lies in safety and human resource management. Earlier in his career, he was employed at United Electrical Services as Safety Director. Under his leadership, the company went three years without a lost time incident and no recordable injuries. As a result, he was awarded the Safety Innovation and Excellence Award from the Governor of West Virginia in 2020.

DeVaul currently serves as the Director of Human Resources, Safety, and Compliance at Mountain State Waste. In this role, he ensures the wellbeing of more than 120 employees across West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He also serves on the National Waste and Recycling Association's Safety Committee.

Fairmont State Board of Governors Chair Jennifer Kinty anticipates leveraging DeVaul's expertise for the university's benefit. "Each member brings unique skills and knowledge to the Board and Committees. I look forward to collaborating with JD as we continue working to make Fairmont State a great place."

As DeVaul mentioned, he is not the only alum in his house. "My wife Tiffany earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in education from Fairmont State. She also played basketball and was a three-year starter. We've been married for 13 years and passed our love of sports and the university on to our kids."

The DeVauls reside in Mannington and attend the Church of the Nazarene. They have four children - Gracie Mae (8), Paisley Quinn (6), Grayson James (4), and Presley Rose (2). The couple's newest falcon is due in March.