Jill Upson

Jill Upson is the Executive Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA). She was appointed to this cabinet-level position in December 2018 after serving for four years in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Jill Upson is the Executive Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA). She was appointed to this cabinet-level position in December 2018 after serving for four years in the West Virginia House of Delegates. 

Elected twice to the West Virginia House of Delegates, Upson served as Vice Chair of Banking and Insurance in addition to serving on various committees, caucuses, and commissions. Due to her steadfast leadership in criminal justice reform, Upson was recognized by the Governor of West Virginia with his Civil Rights Award.

Jill Upson holds the distinction of making state history as the first black Republican woman elected to the WV House of Delegates. She also serves as Chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission.

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Upson formed and Chairs the COVID-19 Advisory Commission on Racial Disparities which continues to lead in statewide equitable vaccine distribution. She also successfully spearheaded all weekly minority COVID-19 testing sites in multiple locations throughout the state during the height of the pandemic.

Director Upson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Shepherd University. She is married to retired Navy Commander Kelvin Upson and is the mother of DJ and Chandler.