CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Cecil H. Underwood and the West Virginia Council for Community and Economic Development today announced that they would regretfully accept the retirement and resignation of Thomas C. Burns as executive director of the West Virginia Development Office.

Burns has served in this capacity since returning to West Virginia from New Zealand in March 1995.

"Tom is an outstanding leader who has provided enthusiasm and direction to our development efforts for nearly four years," Underwood said. "This has been a period of great prosperity and growth for economic development statewide. Our unemployment rate is at its lowest level in 20 years and we have created a record number of new jobs."

The West Virginia Council for Community and Economic Development was created by the Legislature in 1992 to provide direction and oversight to the West Virginia Development Office. The Council, which is chaired by Don Rigby, president of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle, is comprised of 15 members who serve without compensation.

"While we completely understand Tom's desire to relax, travel and enjoy his family, we will miss his leadership and team-building initiatives in economic development," Rigby said. "Our state's economic success is driven by a team effort among private sector leaders, Governor Underwood, our West Virginia legislators, our congressmen in Washington and our professional developers statewide. Tom has done a great deal to bring these groups and individuals together with one common goal --- a better, more prosperous state economy."

While in New Zealand Burns served as chairman and managing director of Ameritech-Bell Atlantic New Zealand and deputy director of Telecom New Zealand. Prior to his move abroad, Burns was a co-founder of the West Virginia Roundtable and the National Institute for Chemical Studies. He served as a board member of Software Valley. He was president and chief executive officer of C&P Telephone Co. of West Virginia. Recently, Burns was named to Who's Who in West Virginia by The State Journal.

"I view this decision with ambivalence. On the one hand I'm eager to spend more time with my wife and family, and on the other I will miss this great team," Burns said. "The state development team has made significant strides in bringing new industry to the state and assisting existing business in expansion. They have done a great deal to alter the bottom line. Jobs are up, and unemployment is down. I couldn't have asked for a more devoted, committed group of people to work with for the past four years."

Burns' retirement will be effective February 19, 1999.

--30--