Secretary of State Natalie Tennant speaks at ALMBS
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant
Natalie E. Tennant was sworn in as West Virginia’s 29th Secretary of State on January 19, 2009. Since taking office, Secretary Tennant has focused on initiatives to create an open and engaging government for our citizens, maintaining fair and honest elections and implementing efficient technologies to better serve the businesses and agencies of our state.
Secretary Tennant attended West Virginia University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and master’s degree in Corporate & Organizational Communication. While at WVU, Tennant was selected as the first female Mountaineer mascot.
Following the completion of her undergraduate degree Tennant started her broadcasting career working at television stations in Clarksburg and Charleston where she reported the news for more than ten years. Prior to being elected, Tennant was co-owner of Wells Media Group LLC, a Charleston based video production and media training company she operated with husband Erik Wells.
Secretary Tennant is dedicated to using a practical and common sense approach in fulfilling her duties as the Secretary of State. It is her principle belief that being an elected official allows for her to be a servant to the people of West Virginia.
Secretary Tennant is very active with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). She is currently Co-Chair of the International Relations Committee and only days upon entering office presented and was awarded a bid to host the 2011 NASS Summer Conference. Tennant represented West Virginia while traveling with a dozen other secretaries of state in Taiwan. She met with Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jiao along with officials from the Taiwanese Council of Agricultural and Mainland Affairs and other national leaders and business owners. Recently, Tennant was named one of only twenty-four (24) to the Aspen Institute's Rodel Fellowship program in public service. She is the first and only West Virginian to receive the fellowship in the five years of its existence.
Along with her duties as Secretary of State, Tennant also sits on the boards of the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Secretary Tennant currently resides in Charleston with husband State Senator Erik Wells and daughter Delaney.
For further information please contact:
Ashley Parsons
aparsons@wvsos.com
304.558.6000