CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics has hired Patrick Gregg, the son-in-law of former WVU Board of Governors member Steve Goodwin, as the college's director of communications and marketing.

Gregg began working at the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation in 2002 and two years later joined INNOVA, a business support services company dedicated in part to creating successful entrepreneurs. INNOVA is housed at the consortium's offices in Fairmont. At WVU, Gregg will be paid a salary of $75,000.

On Oct. 19, Goodwin announced his resignation from the Board of Governors. His term would have expired June 30, 2010.

Goodwin's decision was his own, and is not tied to Gregg's applying for or being offered the job at the College of Business and Economics, Gregg said.

"It didn't play any role. That was Steve's decision," he said Monday afternoon. "He didn't consult me about it."

In an e-mail message, Tom Witt, the college's associate dean of research and outreach, wrote that College of Business and Economics officials initiated a WVU "search and selection activities report" to hire Gregg on Oct. 14.

"This is a standard procedure within WVU to insure the search process adheres to affirmative action and equal opportunities," he wrote. College officials received approval to extend an offer to Gregg the next day, he wrote.

After talking it over with his family and his wife, Aly Goodwin Gregg, he accepted the new job on Oct. 22. Gregg will begin work Nov. 9. Aly Goodwin Gregg is Steve Goodwin's daughter.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics has hired Patrick Gregg, the son-in-law of former WVU Board of Governors member Steve Goodwin, as the college's director of communications and marketing.

Gregg began working at the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation in 2002 and two years later joined INNOVA, a business support services company dedicated in part to creating successful entrepreneurs. INNOVA is housed at the consortium's offices in Fairmont. At WVU, Gregg will be paid a salary of $75,000.

On Oct. 19, Goodwin announced his resignation from the Board of Governors. His term would have expired June 30, 2010.

Goodwin's decision was his own, and is not tied to Gregg's applying for or being offered the job at the College of Business and Economics, Gregg said.

"It didn't play any role. That was Steve's decision," he said Monday afternoon. "He didn't consult me about it."

In an e-mail message, Tom Witt, the college's associate dean of research and outreach, wrote that College of Business and Economics officials initiated a WVU "search and selection activities report" to hire Gregg on Oct. 14.

"This is a standard procedure within WVU to insure the search process adheres to affirmative action and equal opportunities," he wrote. College officials received approval to extend an offer to Gregg the next day, he wrote.

After talking it over with his family and his wife, Aly Goodwin Gregg, he accepted the new job on Oct. 22. Gregg will begin work Nov. 9. Aly Goodwin Gregg is Steve Goodwin's daughter.

Gregg said he's excited about the new opportunity, and that his family has ties to the university. His wife is a graduate of WVU's Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and he's been attending WVU football games since his childhood, he said. Gregg is a University of Maryland graduate.

According to Witt, Gregg was hired after a national search for a new communications director.

"In this capacity he will be supervising a staff of upwards of four full-time positions along with student workers," Witt wrote. "We are [pleased] to have someone with his talents and expertise to advance our communications and marketing on a statewide and national basis."

Gregg brings 25 years of communication experience, having worked in both the public and private sector, Witt wrote.

Last week, Goodwin did not return phone calls from the Gazette about his decision to step down. In a letter to Gov. Joe Manchin, Goodwin didn't say why he was leaving before his term ended other than to say he was grateful for having the chance to serve.

Goodwin was first appointed to the WVU board in 2002 by Gov. Bob Wise, then reappointed by Manchin and elected chairman in 2006.

He was at the helm in 2007 and 2008 when the campus was rocked by a degree scandal involving Heather Bresch, Manchin's daughter, over a master's degree she didn't earn from the College of Business and Economics. President Mike Garrison ultimately resigned, while others in the administration were demoted or took other jobs.

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.