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Rob Alsop
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
rob.alsop@mail.wvu.edu
As vice president for strategic initiatives at West Virginia University, Rob Alsop is responsible for identifying, developing and managing sustainable resources and initiatives that support academic, research and service excellence. He was appointed to his current position in August 2017. His expanded responsibilities included financial, budgeting, talent and culture, and facilities while still maintaining oversight of corporate and government relations and continuing innovation and entrepreneurship efforts. Rob earned his political science degree from WVU in 1999 and law degree from the WVU College of Law in 2002. In addition to working in private practice for Bowles Rice LLP, and Jackson Kelly, PLLC, Rob has extensive state and federal government experience. From November 2010 through May 2013, he was the chief of staff to West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, where he focused on a host of legislative initiatives, including the Marcellus Shale regulatory structure, OPEB reform, primary education reform and other economic development and budgetary matters. From January 2005 through November 2007, Rob served in a number of roles for former Governor Joe Manchin, including deputy general counsel, general counsel for the Department of Revenue and secretary of revenue. During his tenure with former Governor Manchin, he was his designee as chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, working on privatizing that system. He also served as chief of staff for Senator Carte Goodwin in Washington, D.C., and clerked for the Honorable Robert King, Circuit Judge for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, in Charleston, West Virginia, and Richmond, Virginia.
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Rocco Fucillo
Senior Advisor and Director of State Relations
rsfucillo@mail.wvu.edu
He has extensive litigation experience at the trial and appellate levels in civil and criminal law, and has been an assistant prosecuting attorney and an assistant attorney general. He has held high-level positions for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. He also held the positions of general counsel, deputy secretary for programs, commissioner of the Bureau of Children and Families and acting cabinet secretary. Rocco Fucillo holds a political science degree from Fairmont State, graduated from the WVU College of Law in 1987, and earned an LLM in trial advocacy from Temple Law School in 1996.
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Ron Justice
Director of Local Government Relations
rjustice@mail.wvu.edu
Ron Justice received two WVU degrees: a bachelor’s degree in history in 1985 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1990. Ron has worked for the University since 1985, serving in various roles, including Greek advisor and assistant dean of students before becoming director of student organizations. He also served as mayor of Morgantown from 2002-2009, helping to strengthen town and gown relationships. Previously he served as deputy mayor for seven years and as a member of Morgantown City Council from 1991-2009.
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Travis Mollohan
Director of Government Relations
tmolloh1@mail.wvu.edu
Travis Mollohan advocates on behalf of WVU with the WV State Legislature and the WV Governor’s Office, as well as state, county and local officials across the Mountain State. Prior to joining WVU, he served as a long-time aide to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin. He previously worked for Manchin in campaign, gubernatorial and senatorial roles, where he last served as director of outreach initiatives and constituent services for the Senator’s state operations. Travis earned a B.A. in Political Science from West Virginia University in 2005. Locally, he serves on the Empty Bowls Monongalia board of directors.
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Suzanne Bentzel
Director of Federal Relations
Suzanne.bentzel@mail.wvu.edu
Representing West Virginia University in Washington, D.C., Suzanne provides leadership for the university’s relationships with federal officials and staff. She works directly with the West Virginia Delegation, federal agencies, and higher education organizations to communicate, engage, and advocate for priorities that impact the university. Prior to joining WVU in August 2015, served as U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Director of Appropriations and Legislative Aid for higher education issues. From 1988 through June 2010, Suzanne served in a number of roles for former U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, including Staff Assistant, Projects Assistant, Projects Director, and Professional Staff on the Senate Appropriations Committee. In later years on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Suzanne oversaw the development and advancement of all West Virginia-related appropriations initiatives for Senator Byrd, including investments supporting existing and new federal agency operations, transportation infrastructure, military construction, defense, higher education capital infrastructure and research programs, and community development. Suzanne is an At-Large Board Member of the WVU National Capital Area. Suzanne holds a B.A. in International Studies from West Virginia University.