U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) this week announced the new leadership team for his state operations.
A native of West Virginia, Mara Boggs will return home to serve as state director. Boggs is a graduate of Keyser High School and West Virginia University. She is also an Iraq combat veteran, serving 13 years of active duty in the United States Army prior to coming to Capitol Hill, where she served as Senator Manchin’s Chief of Operations and a senior policy advisor for defense.
She will be moving back to West Virginia with her two children, Bella and Cole, and her husband Ken, who just returned from commanding the 92nd Engineer Battalion in Kandahar, Afghanistan. While she will move on Jan. 1, she will be transitioning into her new role immediately.
“Mara’s leadership experience as a commander in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, her knowledge of Capitol Hill and her West Virginia roots will make her a valuable addition to the state team,” said Senator Manchin. “Mara will join an already experienced team that is dedicated to providing first-rate constituent services to the great people of West Virginia.”
“I’m so proud to be coming home to serve the people of West Virginia on behalf of Senator Manchin,” said Mara Boggs. “Our dedicated state staff and I are wholly committed to continue providing excellent service to meet the needs of West Virginians. My family and I are honored to move back to West Virginia after years of military service, and to represent the values and principles that Senator Manchin embodies.”
Senator Manchin also announced that he is promoting two of his long-time aides, Sara Payne Scarbro and Travis Mollohan. In addition to her duties as Deputy State Director, Sara Payne Scarbro will serve as the Senator’s senior advisor.
“When it comes to communications, politics and state issues, Sara’s counsel is invaluable not only to me, but to all the great people of West Virginia,” Senator Manchin said. “As my senior advisor, Sara will work more closely with key stakeholders, monitor current issues facing our state and advise me on how to give West Virginia a voice in Washington.”
Travis Mollohan will serve as Director of Constituent Services. “Travis fully understands our great state, and he is a natural fit to ensure that our office stands ready to assist West Virginians as they navigate the federal government,” Senator Manchin said. “Travis will bring a great sense of energy and dedication to this post and will continue to put the people of our state first.”
Both Scarbro and Mollohan have been with Senator Manchin since his tenure as Governor of West Virginia.
“All three of these staff members are outstanding and I personally owe each of them a debt of gratitude,” Manchin said. “I have a great state team, and I am confident that Mara, Sara and Travis will take our state operations to the next level.”