Brian Abraham
2021 - Present
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Brian Abraham is a Republican political advisor in the state of West Virginia. As of April 2021, Abraham was the chief of staff for the gubernatorial administration of Jim Justice (R).[1]
Education
Abraham earned a B.S. in business administration from Fairmont State University in 1993 and a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 1996.[1][2]
Career
Prior to becoming Gov. Justice's chief of staff, Abraham was his general counsel from 2017 to 2021. He was also a member of Abraham & Ilderton, PLLC (2009-2017), prosecuting attorney for Logan County (1999-2009), and an attorney at law (1996-1999). As of January 7, 2021, Abraham also served as a colonel, judge advocate in the West Virginia Army National Guard.[2]
Jim Justice chief of staff
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Gov. Justice appointed Abraham chief of staff on December 23, 2020, to replace retiring Chief of Staff Mike Hall. Justice said of Abraham, "Brian is a true leader and the perfect fit for this job as we move into my second term...He’s a Veteran and experienced attorney who loves our state as much as I do, and I know his skills and experience will be extremely beneficial as we continue to move West Virginia forward."[1] Abraham assumed office on January 1, 2021.[1]
Chief of staff
- See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
In 2021, Ballotpedia identified Brian Abraham as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.
The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by each administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[3]
- Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
- Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
- Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
- Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.
In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff, and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Office of the Governor Jim Justice, "Gov. Justice names Brian Abraham as Chief of Staff," December 23, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 LinkedIn, "Brian Abraham," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 National Governors Association, "The Many Roles of the Governor’s Chief of Staff," accessed April 20, 2021
