Auditor Mark Hunt has announced key staff for the Office of Auditor to include Michael Cook to serve as combined role as Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer. Caleb Hanna and David Cole have been appointed as Deputy Chiefs of Staff.
“The Office of the Auditor has a great staff in place. I am confident that the different backgrounds our newly appointed staff members have will be a great addition to help us provide better resources for the people of West Virginia,” said Hunt.
Prior to moving to the Auditor’s Office, Cook was named and served as the Director of the State Budget Office since August 2018, where he worked closely with the Governor and the Legislature in all aspects of the state budget. Prior to that, Cook served as Senior Budget and Policy Analyst for the West Virginia Senate. A native of Raleigh County and alumnus of Concord University, Cook brings 27 years of experience and an excellent rapport with both the Executive and Legislative Branches.
Caleb Hanna, a Nicholas County native and current Kanawha County resident, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff by Auditor Hunt. A graduate of West Virginia State University with a degree in Economics, Hanna brings a diverse background and a wealth of experience to the role. His professional journey spans healthcare and non-profit administration, where he handled Public Relations for select WVU Medicine hospitals in southern West Virginia. Hanna’s dedication to public service is well-established, having served five years in the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing five counties.
David Cole of Fayette County is a seasoned professional with a broad range of experience in both the private and public sectors. Cole studied at Arizona State University, has most recently served for 17 years as Operations Manager and Director of Marketing at Mark A. Hunt & Associates, PLLC. Cole’s background includes over a decade at WCHS-WVAH TV in various sales and operational roles, showcasing his expertise in media and sales management. His commitment to public service is further exemplified by his two terms as a City Councilman in Ansted, WV, where he worked to improve and support his community. His diverse career and dedication to service make him an invaluable addition to the Auditor’s leadership team as Deputy Chief of Staff.
“I am thankful for the work started by JB McCuskey that includes bringing efficiencies to the office and West Virginia Checkbook. Looking to the future, we have an aggressive agenda to keep an eye on the budget, transparency and accountability for every tax dollar that is spent. We will be working on ways to improve interactions with the public and making the office more accessible through-out the different parts of the state,” said Auditor Hunt.