Gov. Justice names Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy to judicial seat, appoints adviser Larry Pack to Hardy's post

Dec. 13—MORGANTOWN — Gov. Jim Justice has appointed his revenue secretary to a Kanawha County Circuit Court seat, and has appointed a senior adviser and former delegate as acting revenue secretary.

Justice announced the two appointments a few minutes apart on Wednesday morning.

He appointed Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy to the 13th Circuit seat left vacant upon the passing of Judge Joanna Tabit in September. Hardy previously announced his intention to seek election to the seat in 2024 and filed his pre-candidacy papers on Nov. 1.

Justice named Hardy to the cabinet post in January 2017. Hardy also serves as Justice's designee on the Municipal Home Rule, Investment Management, and Board of Treasury Investments boards.

Justice said he and Hardy "have shepherded the state through challenging financial times, steering West Virginia from a $500 million deficit in 2017 to a $1.1 billion surplus in 2023. Dave Hardy has been a true partner in turning West Virginia's financial tide. ... His keen understanding of our fiscal landscape, coupled with his unwavering commitment to public service, makes him exceptionally qualified for this new role."

Hardy said, "I'm honored beyond words by Gov. Justice's faith in me. To stand beside him in steering West Virginia from fiscal quicksand to solid ground has been an absolute privilege. ... Serving on the 13th Circuit Court is a monumental responsibility, and I pledge to carry my commitment to fairness and justice into every courtroom, ensuring every citizen receives the respect and equal representation they deserve."

Justice's announcement noted that Hardy has more than 33 years of experience in private legal practice and is also a certified public accountant. He served on Charleston City Council from 1995 to 2001, and on the Kanawha County Commission from 2001 to 2017.

Hardy lives in Charleston with his wife of 38 years, Nadia. They have two children, Scott and Kristen.

Acting revenue secretary Hardy resigned his cabinet post to take the judicial seat and Justice appointed Larry Pack as acting secretary.

Pack was elected to the House of Delegates in 2020. He then resigned to become a senior advisor to Justice in 2022.

"Larry is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our state's finances and a commitment to fiscal responsibility, " Justice said. "His business acumen and knowledge of the tax code will be invaluable in leading the Department of Revenue, and I am confident that he will work tirelessly to ensure that West Virginia remains on the pathway to prosperity."

Pack said, "I am honored to be appointed acting secretary of revenue and I am excited to get to work on behalf of the people of West Virginia. I believe that the Department of Revenue plays a vital role in making West Virginia a more prosperous state, and I am committed to working with Gov. Justice and the Legislature to achieve that goal."

Pack lives in Charleston with his wife, Lisa. They have six children and three grandchildren. He recently sold Stonerise, a network of 17 transitional and skilled nursing care centers, therapy, home health, and hospice care providers across West Virginia and southeast Ohio (including Morgantown and Kingwood). Prior to Stonerise, he owned and operated six other health care centers throughout West Virginia. He co-founded the accounting firm Pack Lambert & Burdette, which later merged with Suttle and Stalnaker, where he provided tax, accounting, and consulting services to various entities.

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