Joseph C. Thornton

Born in Princeton , West Virginia , Joe is a 1983 graduate of Athens High School .  After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force where he served 10 years, receiving an honorable discharge.  During his Air Force career, Joe was stationed San Antonio , Texas ; Minot , North Dakota and Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey : where he served in direct support of the nation’s first Gulf War efforts.

Upon separation from the Air Force in August 1994, Joe enrolled in the Journalism and Mass Communications program at Marshall University in January 1995 where he completed his bachelor’s degree – with honors - in May 1998. 

After completing his undergraduate studies, Joe enrolled in the Marshall University graduate program to begin his master’s level studies in Public Relations at the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at which time he was also hired as a photo journalist by WSAZ News Channel 3 in Charleston .    

During his two-year graduate level studies from 1998 - 2000, Joe carried a full course work, worked part-time at WSAZ and as a Graduate Assistant with Instructional Television Services at Marshall University .  Joe received his master’s degree in May 2000 where he was also named Outstanding Master’s Program student.

After graduation, Joe was hired full-time by WSAZ and transferred to Huntington .  In October 2001, Joe began his career path in State Government when he was hired as a public information specialist with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.  He served in that capacity until January 2005 when he took over as Director of the Division of Rural Health, Bureau for Public Health, WV DHHR.

In September 2005, Cabinet Secretary James W. Spears hired Joe to be Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Operations and Media Relations for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

A resident of Culloden, Joe has been married for 20 years to Karen O’Sullivan Thornton, Assistant Attorney General for the State of West Virginia .  Joe and Karen have one daughter, Jorden, age 11 who is an honors student at Milton Middle School and the captain of her travel soccer team, the WVSC Rowdies 94 Girls.