Jeri Matheney

Online Instructor I Public Relations

jhm00026@mix.wvu.edu

Jeri Matheney’s strong background in strategic planning and crisis communications stems from her career in utility public relations. She is the former communications director of Appalachian Power (part of American Electric Power), and an instructor in the Reed School of Media.

As communications director, she was responsible for employee communications, media relations, advertising, customer communications, community relations, education support, special events, executive support, contributions, sponsorships, social media, and the company’s internal and external websites.

In recognition of the body of her work and her contributions to the public relations profession and her community, she was elected to the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows. The College of Fellows is the gold standard for public relations professionals, with only about 700 members inducted since the program’s inception in 1989.

In addition, she was elected to the West Virginia Chapter of PRSA’s Hall of Fame. The award honors distinguished public relations professionals for their career achievements, significant contributions in the field of public relations, mentoring and exemplary community service.

She earned a Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., and her bachelor’s degree in public relations journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va.

Matheney enjoys serving her community and has served as president of the Charleston YWCA board of directors, chairman of The Education Alliance, a member of the Kanawha County Library Foundation and the Kanawha Valley Council on Philanthropy. She also served on the board and as volunteer campaign chairman for United Way of Central West Virginia. She was president of Public Relations Society of America, West Virginia Chapter,

and chair of the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, West Virginia Chapter.

While she still considers West Virginia home, she and her husband now live in Conroe, Texas, north of Houston.