Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson serves as the director of the WVU Corporate Relations Office. Prior to being named director in 2018, Jack served in two different roles within the Corporate Relations office as a relations manager and interim director. He holds an extensive background in both corporate and business development with over 15 years of experience in the greater Morgantown area. Previous positions include roles with Chesapeake Energy, the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross and the Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau. Born in New Jersey, Jack is a proud graduate of WVU and resides in Morgantown. He is an avid member of the state, being involved with the Mon County Development Authority, West Virginia Public Leader Board and West Virginia Public Theatre Board and serves as the campus adviser for Sigma Nu fraternity.
GET TO KNOW JACK
Question: Where are you from? What made you move to/represent WV?
Answer: I grew up and went to high school in New Jersey. I started college at WVU Potomac State College before transferring to the main campus in Morgantown. After graduating, I traveled and worked in New York and London. However, West Virginia kept calling me back and in 2000, I returned to Morgantown fulltime, and I have been here ever since.
Question: Tell me about your family.
Answer: Both of my parents have followed me to Morgantown and are now my neighbors. The rest of my family lives across the country, including in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Montana and California. Pets have always been a big part of my family. Currently, I have two dogs, George and Dolores, who run the house.
Question: What do you do in your spare time?
Answer: I’m actively involved in the community and serve as an adviser for the Sigma Nu fraternity on campus. My home is filled with art, books and friends.
Question: If you could describe WVU's impact on that state in one word, what would it be?
Answer: Opportunity. WVU excels at providing opportunities, to our students and the people of West Virginia. We create places where opportunity thrives.
Question: What would you say is WVU’s greatest strength?
Answer: Community. The people associated with WVU go above and beyond to lift each other up. That collective strength helps everyone succeed. WVU and West Virginia fight above their weight every day.
Question: Where is your favorite place to visit in West Virginia?
Answer: Country roads take us home and connect us. Traveling through the state and experiencing the journey between destinations is something I cherish. I love taking the backroad.
Question: What is your favorite West Virginia event/tradition?
Answer: WVU football. The Friday night before the first home game feels like Christmas Eve. I love that feeling when the entire community comes together to celebrate the Mountaineers.
Question: What is your favorite hidden gem in West Virginia?
Answer: West Virginia has so many great stories — the Civil War, mining, labor. It’s also incredibly beautiful. I love when all those things come together. Wheeling, Lewisburg, Elkins. There are so many places!
Question: Pepperoni roll or WVU cookie?
Answer: Pepperoni roll.
Question: How does your work at the corporate level impact WVU?
Answer: The number one reason that companies engage with WVU is recruitment. Our office works to broaden that relationship through research and philanthropy, as well as through faculty, staff and student engagement. There are so many ways that a company can partner with WVU. We try and make the relationship as mutually beneficial as possible and as impactful as possible for our students. They are the reason why we are all here and why companies want to partner with the University.
Question: What does a day in the job look like for you?
Answer: I am lucky enough to have the best job on campus and work across the entire University. I get to engage with leadership, deans, faculty, staff and students. We regularly host companies on campus but also take West Virginia University to them.
Question: What is the most rewarding part of your role?
Answer: Helping students. Whether it’s building their resumes, exploring career options, or helping them secure jobs, creating opportunities for them is the most rewarding part of what I do. They are the reason that we are all here and it is a joy to work with them.
Question: Do you have a favorite story of when Government Relations impacted WVU or our state?
Answer: We helped organize a reception at the University Club in New York as part of “Choose West Virginia,” which was an economic development showcase. The club required attendees to wear ties and provided them for those that didn’t have one. I walked into a room full of CEOs and students assisting each other by tying each other’s ties. Right there and then they were building relationships and opportunity together. It was a great thing to see. Students, alumni, corporate partners all helping each other out in the simplest way possible.
Question: What is one thing you wish people understood more about what you do?
Answer: My role is about facilitating opportunities and elevating others. It’s about building partnerships that connect the University to the corporate and business worlds, aligning leadership’s vision with opportunities that benefit our students, faculty, and staff. They are the reason I’m here. The relationships are theirs, not mine. I just help build and maintain them.
