About WVHTA

Uniting West Virginia's hospitality industry through advocacy, education, and opportunity

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The West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association (WVHTA) is the official voice of the food service, lodging, convention and visitors bureaus, and travel industries in the state. WVHTA represents the hospitality and travel industry's interests to both governmental and private sectors. WVHTA serves as the connection between all those involved with the development of tourism in West Virginia. 

OUR MISSION

The purpose of our association is to unite and benefit West Virginia’s unique lodging, restaurant/food service, travel and allied industries for the protection, education and promotion of their common goals and interests.

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Meet our Members →

Meet your WVHTA Team

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Richie Heath is Executive Director of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association and a partner at Bowles Rice. He concentrates his practice in the area of government relations and serves as leader of the firm’s government relations team. Prior to joining the firm, he was Chief Legal Counsel and Chief of Staff for West Virginia Senate Presidents Mitch B. Carmichael and William P. Cole. He also served as Deputy Attorney General to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Richie’s experience in public policy, government relations and executive management is extensive. His practice includes work in the hospitality, gaming and tourism industry. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Richie Heath, Executive Director

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Jordan Nuzum is the Membership Director for the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Associations. He is also a Government Affairs Specialist at Bowles Rice where he assists clients in navigating the legislative process.

Jordan has served as Deputy Press Secretary for the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office and spent five years with the West Virginia Legislature where he served as the Legislative Analyst for two Senate Presidents, Director of Legislative Rule-Making and Legislative Analyst for the Senate Judiciary Committee. He has multiple years of experience in public relations, public policy and government administration. 

Jordan graduated summa cum laude from West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration.

Jordan Nuzum, Membership Director

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