Jeff Sandy joins Gov.-elect Jim Justice’s cabinet
Will serve in military affairs, public safety
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CHARLESTON -- A former Wood County sheriff has been named to Governor-elect Jim Justice's cabinet.
The Justice Transition Team announced Wednesday Jeff Sandy, of Vienna, will serve as his secretary of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS).
''It is quite an honor to be selected for this position,'' Sandy said. ''I have worked with the State Police and many agencies across the state so to have this position is an honor.''
Sandy is a Wood County native and a partner in Perry Forensic Investigations LLC, after working 25 years as a special agent with U.S. Treasury's Criminal Investigation Division. He is a certified fraud examiner (CFE) and a certified anti-money laundering specialist. Sandy served as Wood County sheriff from January 2009 to December 2012.
"I want the best and brightest to serve in my administration and Jeff Sandy's experience and qualifications are second to no one," Justice said.
"Jeff served our country and the people of Wood County with distinction and I am totally confident that he will continue his extraordinary service to the people of West Virginia. Jeff Sandy is prepared to keep West Virginians safe and make sure our state is ready to handle emergencies," Justice said.
As sheriff, Sandy modernized the office with new equipment and new investigative strategies, Justice said. He was appointed to serve on the Board of the Regional Jail Authority.
In 2012, he was elected chairman of the Regional Jail Board. Sandy also served on the Board of the West Virginia Sheriff's Association. He worked in Iraq on counter terrorism missions and to trace Saddam Hussein's hidden assets to keep them from being used by terrorists. His achievements were featured on ABC's World News Tonight.
Since 9/11, Sandy has been part of the Department of Justice funded SLATT Team (State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training) that has trained over 140,000 United States law enforcement officers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
During his time at the U.S. Department of Treasury he earned over 100 awards, including West Virginia Mid-Ohio Valley "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year," U.S. Department of Treasury Employee of the Year, and the second highest medal awarded by the Department of Defense, and the highest award issued by the Department of the Treasury for his investigative work in Iraq concerning the United Nations Oil for Food Fraud, Terrorism Funding, and the tracing of Saddam Hussein's hidden assets.
The mission of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure state by ensuring the proper response to all levels, manners and phases of emergencies, disasters and crimes, according to the secretary's website.
''The role of the Office of the Secretary is to provide support, oversight and guidance to agencies involved in all facets of public safety,'' it said. ''This includes law enforcement and other first response agencies, as well as the state's criminal justice, correctional and homeland security systems.
''In addition to ensuring that we are well prepared and properly equipped to protect West Virginia's citizens, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary is responsible for housing and operating both the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center and the West Virginia Homeland Security State Administrative Agency.''
Sandy said he is planning to meet with Justice to map out a plan that best serves the needs of the state of West Virginia.
"Governor-elect Justice and his team made it clear that they wanted to appoint someone for DMAPS that had international and domestic public safety experience; and in addition, had experience in private business,'' Sandy said. ''When the governor-elect called me, and asked me to be his secretary for DMAPS, it was an honor and an opportunity to give back to the state that I love.
''I assure the people of West Virginia that I will do everything in my power to keep West Virginians safe from foreign and domestic threats to our way of life,'' he said.
Sandy's appointment will have to be confirmed by the West Virginia Senate.
Jeff and his wife, Renee, have three children who are graduates of Marshall University. Ben and Matt are certified public accountants, and Brittany is a school teacher specializing in special education.