David W. Snively, a five-year employee of the West Virginia University Extension Service, has accepted the position of assistant director of Extension for county operations. The appointment, which was effective Oct. 15, was announced by Larry Cote, WVU associate provost and director of the Extension Service.

In this new position, Snively will direct operations for WVU Extension’s 55 county offices and help to ensure local citizens are provided with access to WVU resources. In addition, he will work with Extension’s many key statewide and community partners, such as the Farm Bureau, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, 4-H All Stars, county commissions, county Extension Service committees and boards of education.

“Dave brings unique experience and talent to this position,”said Cote in announcing the appointment.”He has 14 years of experience as a county agent in two state. He has worked with agriculture, youth, and community development programs and he has extensive background in 4-H, including membership in the 4-H All Stars.”

Snively, a native of St. Marys, joined the WVU Extension Service in 1997 as Extension agent in RandolphCounty where he worked in the areas of agriculture, natural resources and community development.

He has been associate director of the ProgramCenter for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development since June 2000. In that position, he coordinated the center’s program development process, evaluated programs, managed grant and unit budgets and recruited state and county faculty and staff. In April 2002, his program responsibilities were broadened to include a special assignment to review Native American traditions in the statewide 4-H camping program.

Snively, who holds the rank of Extension assistant professor, earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural education from WVU in 1987 and 1988, respectively. While attending WVU , he worked as a program assistant in PleasantsCounty and as a graduate assistant with Extension.

After earning his master’s degree, he became Extension agent in Lawrence County, Ohio. There he was responsible for programming in the areas of 4-H youth development, agriculture, natural resources and community development. He held that position for nine years before coming to the WVU Extension Service.

The WVU Extension Service is the primary outreach arm of West VirginiaUniversity. With offices in each of the state’s 55 counties, Extension faculty and staff develop and deliver programs in five major initiatives: leadership development, rural and community-based economic development, youth development, workforce development and health education.