John B. “JB” McCuskey, the 21st State Auditor of West Virginia, is currently serving his second term, having been first elected in 2016. Prior to his role as Auditor, he served two terms in the House of Delegates and practiced law in Charleston.
As Auditor, McCuskey has made it his priority to establish an efficient, effective, and transparent government. Under his leadership, West Virginia has become the most transparent state in the nation, providing citizens with real-time access to data on how their tax dollars are utilized through WVCheckbook.gov. McCuskey has also introduced the Public Integrity and Fraud Unit, leading over 200 investigations into local governments and uncovering more than $2.5 million in fraudulent activities.
A key tool in the fight against fraud and abuse is the state Purchasing Card (P-Card) program. Over the past five years, McCuskey has successfully advocated for increased adoption of the P-Card among agencies, boards, commissions, and higher education institutions, streamlining payment processes and resulting in tens of millions of dollars in cost avoidance savings annually. Since taking office, the use of P-Cards has generated over $41 million in rebates for the state and local governments.
McCuskey is at the forefront of utilizing augmented intelligence and machine learning to enhance government processes and combat the misuse of taxpayer funds. The Auditor’s Office has developed a groundbreaking platform to track government spending, identify fraud, and highlight important trends, becoming the first of its kind.
In addition to his role as Auditor, McCuskey serves as the Land Commissioner for West Virginia. He has championed the revision of outdated tax laws to streamline the property tax process, expediting procedures and preventing properties from falling into disrepair due to lengthy processes. The legislation also introduced payment plans for homeowners facing financial hardships, providing much-needed relief.
A native of Harrison County, West Virginia, McCuskey’s deep love for the Mountain State and his commitment to public service were instilled by his parents, John and Anne McCuskey.
McCuskey holds a degree in Political Communication from The George Washington University and is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law. Prior to his legal studies, he worked as a civilian at the Pentagon, serving in the offices of the Army and Department of Defense General Counsels.
Auditor McCuskey resides in Charleston with his wife, Wendy, their daughters, Charlotte Anne and Martha Elizabeth, and their beloved dog, Pearl. They also own a small business in the city. Through his leadership and dedication, McCuskey continues to prioritize transparency and effective governance, working tirelessly to serve the people of West Virginia.
For more information on the Office of the WV Auditor visit: https://www.wvsao.gov/