J. R. “Bob” Rogers, an attorney, businessman and former member of the WV State Senate from Boone County, was appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin on Friday, July 9, to serve as a member of the West Virginia University Board of Governors.

Rogers was sworn in Monday, July 12.

He replaces Oliver Luck, who was appointed as the new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at WVU.

Rogers is a graduate of Scott High School.

He graduated from Marshall University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Accounting and Economics.

Rogers then enrolled at WVU School of Law and graduated in 1967.

Upon graduation he went to work for the tax legal department of Arthur Andersen in Pittsburgh, Pa.

In 1968, he returned to West Virginia where he started a law practice with Jerry Cook, forming the firm of Cook & Rogers.

Rogers was elected to the Boone County Commission in 1970 and served as president until 1974.

Rogers was elected to the state Senate for the 7th Senatorial District, where he remained for three terms. He retired from the body in 1986.

Rogers was active in the Senate leadership from the start of his first term. During his tenure in the Senate, he was responsible for sponsoring and passing numerous pieces of legislation.

“I introduced and co-sponsored the bill with Del. Gino Columbo that built the WVU football stadium, the Marshall basketball arena, along with other college capital improvements to other colleges, like Wheeling, Concord and West Liberty,” Rogers said. “I also co-sponsored the severance tax on coal which has brought millions of dollars, annually, to Boone and Logan counties, for their budgets and will receive this money so long as coal is mined in these counties.”

Rogers was also the drafter and sponsor of the Lottery Bill in 1984-85, which allowed the creation of the state Lottery Commission.

“It now produces approximately $1 billion in revenue annually to the state’s budget,” he said.

Rogers introduced the bill which created the Mine, Health and Safety Committee.

“The committee is comprised of six members, three union members and three company members. It is chaired by the director of the Department of Mines,” he explained. “This committee now drafts all mine, health and safety regulations.”

Rogers was also the drafter and sponsor of the Medial Malpractice Act of 1985; he introduced the Wrongful Death Statute, which removed the cap on deaths caused by negligent acts; and he introduced a bill mandating the hypothyroidism test be given to newborns, which could lead to mental retardation in children if left undetected.

“The Madison Junior Women’s Club received national recognition for their lobbying efforts and support,” he said.

Rogers is married to the former Belinda J. Loftis of Uneeda. The couple has a daughter, Natalie Britt Rogers, age 23.

Rogers has a son, Todd R. Rogers, from a previous marriage.

Bob and Belinda Rogers have resided in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for the past 20 years, but Rogers has maintained an active law practice in West Virginia during this time.

Rogers began practicing law in 1968 in Madison and Whitesville, but moved his office in the mid-80’s to the Charleston area.

His law office is presently located in Putnam County, near I-64 at the Teays Valley/Winfield exit.

Rogers is also involved in numerous business ventures. In the 1980’s, he and four other individuals purchased the Bank of Danville. He then served as Chairman of the Board until it was sold in 1987.

In Florida, Rogers has been involved in commercial real estate development and is now a majority stockholder in three Florida corporations involved in environmental issues.

“We are dealing with the capture of mercury in coal-fired plants and in water projects facing the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Rogers is President and Executive Director of The White Foundation.

“The Foundation was created by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. White after their deaths,” he said. “The Foundation has become very active in awarding college scholarships to graduates of Scott High School and other charitable ventures.”

Rogers says he is honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Governors at WVU and is extremely humbled by the appointment.

“I look forward to working with President Clements and the Board,” he said.

His appointment was approved this past special session by the Senate Confirmation Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Ron Stollings.