WHEELING – Jefferson County Sheriff Thomas “Tom” Hansen was sworn in as President of the West Virginia Association of County Officials (WVACo) during the organization’s annual Spring Board Meeting on Monday at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling.
Hansen succeeds Greg Vandall, Assessor of Summers County, who served as WVACo president during the past year.
WVACo is comprised of statewide representatives from West Virginia’s six constitutional county offices – assessors, circuit clerks, county commissioners, county clerks, prosecuting attorneys and sheriffs. The organization serves as the unified voice of county government across all 55 counties in the Mountain State.
“I am honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve as president of this outstanding organization,” Hansen said. “County government is where many of the services most important to our citizens are delivered every day. I look forward to working with county officials from across West Virginia to strengthen local government, support our communities and ensure counties continue to have a strong voice in Charleston.”
WVACo Executive Director Jonathan Adler said Hansen brings decades of public service and leadership experience to the statewide position.
“Sheriff Hansen has earned a reputation as a thoughtful leader, a dedicated public servant and a strong advocate for effective local government,” Adler said. “His experience in law enforcement, his commitment to public service and his collaborative approach make him exceptionally well-qualified to lead the association during the coming year. We are excited to work alongside him as we continue advancing the interests of West Virginia’s counties.”
Hansen originally joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1995. During a career spanning more than two decades, he served as a patrol deputy, field training officer, detective and the department’s first School Resource Officer at Jefferson High School. He ultimately rose to the rank of lieutenant before retiring from the department in July 2015.
In February 2016, Hansen was recognized as “Police Officer of the Year” by the American Legion Department of West Virginia. He was elected Sheriff of Jefferson County in November 2020 and first took office in January 2021. Following his re-election, he began a second term in January 2025.
As sheriff, Hansen has focused on improving officer morale, implementing operational changes designed to increase efficiency, strengthening community engagement and reducing response times throughout the county.
In addition to his law enforcement responsibilities, Hansen has served as Commander of Post 71, 10th District Commander, and Department Vice Commander for the American Legion Department of West Virginia. He remains actively involved in public safety and community leadership initiatives throughout the region.
WVACo’s mission is to achieve unity of purpose among elected county officials in order to promote the professionalism, preservation, and protection of county government for the benefit of the citizens they serve. Its strives to be a unified partner in creating a better West Virginia.
The officials represented by WVACo provide many of the public services West Virginians rely upon every day, including law enforcement, elections administration, tax collection, property assessment, court record management and local fiscal oversight.
Founded more than six decades ago, WVACo serves as the principal organization for county-government advocacy, professional development and inter-county cooperation in West Virginia. The association works closely with state policymakers on issues affecting local government and provides educational, training and support programs for county officials across the state.
About The West Virginia Association Of County Officials
The West Virginia Association of County Officials is the statewide organization representing county government in all 55 West Virginia counties. Through advocacy, education, professional development and member services, WVACo works to strengthen county government and support the elected officials and employees who serve West Virginia citizens every day.