Full Name:
Jeffrey 'Jeff' V. Kessler
Gender:
Male
Family:
Wife: Gretchen; 5 Children: Jacob, Lauren, Jackson, Hastings, Griffin
Birth Date:
11/16/1955
Birth Place:
Wheeling, WV
Home City:
Glendale, WV
Religion:
Roman Catholic
JD, West Virginia University College of Law, 1981
BA, West Liberty State College, 1977
Minority Leader, West Virginia State Senate, 2015-2016
Senator, West Virginia State Senate, 1997-2016
Senate President, West Virginia State Senate, 2011-2015
Candidate, West Virginia State Governor, 2011
Acting Senate President, West Virginia State Senate, 2010-2011
Appointed, Senator, West Virginia State Senate, 1997
Former Member, Commission on Special Investigations, West Virginia State Senate
Former Member, Confirmations Committee, West Virginia State Senate
Former Member, Economic Development Committee, West Virginia State Senate
Former Member, Finance Committee, West Virginia State Senate
Former Member, Joint Finance Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Former Member, Joint Government and Finance Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Former Member, Joint PEIA, Seniors, and Long Term Care Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Former Member, Joint Technology Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Former Member, Post Audits Subcommittee, West Virginia State Senate
Former Member, Rules Committee, West Virginia State Senate
Attorney, Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield, Taylor and Gordon, 1983-present
Partner, Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield, Taylor and Gordon, 1983-present
West Virginia Coal Miner
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Marshall County, West Virginia, 1985-2000
City Solicitor, Benwood, West Virginia, 1983-1997
Municipal Court Judge, McMechen, West Virginia, 1982-1989
Associate, Rickey, Chase, Chase and Hyre, 1981-1983
Member, Saint Jude Church, 1983-present
Member, Board of Directors, Marshall County Senior Citizens, Incorporated
Member, Board of Directors, One Valley Bank North
Member, Board of Directors, Regional Economic Development Partnership
Member, Family Violence Prevention Program, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)
Member, West Virginia American Trauma Society
Member, West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Branch Banking and Trust, 1999
Member, Board of Directors, Ohio Valley Industrial and Business Development Corporation, 1998
Member, West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 1985
Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award, Governor's Arts Awards, 2012
Public Leadership Award, Fairness West Virginia, 2011
Legislator of the Year, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2011
Legislator of the Year, West Virginia Nurses Advanced Practitioners, 2011
Democrat of the Year, Marshall County, 1994
Legislator of the Year, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005
Senate Perfect Roll Call Attendance Award, 1998, 1999, 2001
Father's Name:
George H. Kessler
Favorite Movie:
It's a Wonderful Life, The Verdict, The Godfather, The Sting, Saving Private Ryan, Coal Country
Favorite Musician:
Neil Diamond, Brad Paisley, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, George Strait, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Willie Nelson Stardust, B.E. Taylor, Carlos Santana
Favorite Quote:
"With slight efforts to expect great results, is not only foolish...it is impossible." ~Thomas Jefferson
Favorite TV Shows:
Wvu Football Basketball, CNN News, Fox News, Pittsburgh Steelers, All in the Family, Marshall Football
Mother's Name:
Rosemary Krupica Kessler