By Steven Allen Adams | West Virginia Watchdog

CHARLESTON — An aide to the Governor since his rise from Senate President and Acting Governor is taking on the responsibilities of another state agency.

Jacqueline Proctor, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin‘s Communications Director, will serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the state Division of Tourism under Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette. The move is effective Feb. 16.

Proctor was one of the first appointments by Tomblin when he became the Acting Governor. Former Gov. Joe Manchin won a special election to fill the remaining two years of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd‘s six-year term. Tomblin, as Senate President and next in the line of gubernatorial succession, was sworn in on Nov. 15.

“Since joining my administration in November 2010, Jacqueline has provided me with exceptional guidance on many important issues affecting our state,” Tomblin said in a statement. “I have valued her expertise as a communications professional and I am confident that she will continue to serve our state well as she begins a new chapter in her public service career.”

Proctor was one of Tomblin’s first staff appointments, including Chief of State Rob Alsop, Deputy Chief of Staff Erica Mani, and General Counsel Kurt Dettinger, and Communications Director Jacqueline Proctor.

“With the growth of tourism, the upcoming Sesquicentennial observance and events of the Boy Scouts of America at The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, we certainly welcome Jacqueline’s skill and expertise in helping us promote our beautiful state to West Virginians, former West Virginians who we look forward to welcoming home, as well new visitors,” said Commissioner Betty Carver, Division of Tourism.

Prior to being Tomblin’s Communications Director, Proctor served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Culture and History from 2006 to 2010.