Lieutenant Governor and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin

Earl Ray Tomblin of Chapmanville, Logan County, West Virginia, was born on March 15, 1952, the son of Earl and Freda (Jarrell) Tomblin. He is married to Joanne Jaeger and they have one son, Brent Jaeger Tomblin.

He is a self-employed businessman, a member of the West Virginia State Senate and a former school teacher. He received his education at West Virginia University (BS), Marshall University (MBA) and the University of Charleston.

He began his public service in 1974 when he was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. He was re-elected to the House in 1976 and 1978. He was then elected to the West Virginia State Senate in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. During his term in the Senate, he held the positions of Chairman, Committee on Confirmations from 1981-1984, Senate Majority Whip and Chairman, Energy, Industry and Mining, 67th Legislature. He held the position of Finance Chairman during the 68th, 69th, 70th and 71st Legislatures. On January 11, 1995, he was elected by the majority to serve as the 48th President of the Senate. He has since been re-elected in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003. He is currently serving his 5th term as President of the Senate, which makes him the longest serving Senate President in West Virginia's history. Also, he made West Virginia history by becoming West Virginia's first Lieutenant Governor, under the provisions of Chapter 169, Acts, and Regular Session, 2000.

As President, he serves as the Chairman (ex-officio) of the Committee on Rules and is the Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, the Commission on Special Investigations, and the Joint Committee on Rules. His key responsibilities include appointing all Standing Committees, appointing Committee Chairs, appointing majority leaders, setting daily calendars and overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Senate.

Outside of the Senate he serves as member of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) Executive Committee and is a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Executive Committee. Other organizations he has served include Chairman of the SLC; a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity; Finance Executive Committee member of the Council Of State Governments; a member of the Logan County Development Authority and former President, Board of Directors of the Appalachia Educational Laboratory, Incorporated. President Tomblin is also listed in the Who's Who in American Politics and Outstanding Young Men in America.