WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC SAFETY

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Joseph Thornton
Acting Cabinet Secretary

Born in Princeton, West Virginia, Joe is a 1983 graduate of Athens High School.  After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force where he served 10 years, receiving an honorable discharge.  During his Air Force career, Joe was stationed San Antonio, Texas; Minot, North Dakota and Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey: where he served in direct support of the nation’s first Gulf War efforts.

Upon separation from the Air Force in August 1994, Joe enrolled in the Journalism and Mass Communications program at Marshall University in January 1995 where he completed his bachelor’s degree – with honors - in May 1998. 

Joe continued his studies and enrolled in the Marshall University graduate program to begin his master’s level studies in Public Relations; at which time he was also hired by WSAZ News Channel 3 in Charleston.    

Joe received his master’s degree in May 2000 where he was also named Outstanding Master’s Program student.

In October 2001, Joe began his career path in State Government when he was hired as a public information specialist with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.  He served in that capacity until January 2005 when he took over as Director of the Division of Rural Health, Bureau for Public Health, WV DHHR.

In September 2005, Cabinet Secretary James W. Spears hired Joe to be Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Operations and Media Relations for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. On 1 January 2010, Governor Joe Manchin III appointed Joe Thornton as Acting Cabinet Secretary of DMAPS.

A resident of Culloden, Joe is married to Karen O’Sullivan Thornton, Assistant Attorney General for the State of West Virginia.  Joe and Karen have one daughter Jorden, age 14, who is an honors student at Cabell Midland High School.