Jefferson County Economic Development Authority chief named

John Reisenweber, a commercial lender, said attracting high-tech industry and some manufacturing jobs would be good for the county

February 23, 2012|By RICHARD F. BELISLE | richardb@herald-mail.com

Reisenweber

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — John Reisenweber, a commercial lender at Centra Bank in Martinsburg, W.Va., started his new job this week as executive director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Authority.

Reisenweber, 41, of Martinsburg, a member of the Berkeley County Development Authority since 2001, was chosen for the post from a field of more than 60 applicants.

“John impressed the Development Authority Board with his knowledge and passion for our community,” Mark Dyck, president of the Jefferson County Development Authority, said in a news release. “He believes deeply that Jefferson County can be an economic engine for our region and provide opportunities that employ our residents locally.”

“I’ve always believed that economic development can make a difference,” Reisenweber said. “I think the biggest challenge to the (county’s) overall economy is to make incremental improvements by targeting industry.”

Reisenweber said attracting high-tech industry and some manufacturing jobs would be good for the county.

Jefferson County “has a unique location, an incredibly well-educated work force and the excellent quality of life that businesses are seeking,” he said.

Before his job at Centra Bank, Reisenweber worked in U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito’s regional office, specializing in economic development, agriculture, natural resources and homeland security.

Reisenweber was a consultant for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when he worked for Booz, Allen and Hamilton in Washington, D.C.

He has served locally on the Region 9 Planning and Development Council, and is a past president of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, Martinsburg Rotary Club and Berkeley Senior Services.

Reisenweber is an adjunct professor in the environmental studies department at Shepherd University.

He graduated from Hedgesville High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., and a master’s degree in political science from Oregon State University.

Weisenweber’s wife, Erin, is an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. They live in Martinsburg with their three children, Jack, Lilly and Ben.

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