Joins Charlie Burd in Co-Leadership Role
The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) announced today that Rebecca McPhail has been selected as president-elect of the association. McPhail will serve alongside current president Charlie Burd in a co-leadership role to ensure a smooth transition before Burd’s planned retirement next year.
“I am honored to join GO-WV and work alongside Charlie during this pivotal year. Natural gas and oil are West Virginia’s future, and I’m excited to advance this important industry by telling the stories of the West Virginians working hard every day to produce this critical energy resource,” McPhail said. “As a native West Virginian, we all have tremendous pride for the natural gas and oil industry and I know that our brightest days are still yet to come. I want to thank Charlie Burd for his leadership and for building a strong foundation from which we’ll continue to grow and advocate for our state’s energy future.”
A seasoned association executive with more than 20 years of experience in trade, policy, and advocacy leadership, McPhail most recently served as Vice President of State Affairs & Political Mobilization at the American Chemistry Council, where she managed state-level advocacy efforts nationwide. She is also well-known in West Virginia for her decade-long tenure as President and CEO of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA), where she significantly grew the association’s membership and profile by delivering major policy wins for manufacturing and energy development.
“This co-leadership model allows our association to benefit from Charlie’s steady hand while welcoming Rebecca’s fresh perspective,” said Craig Colombo, GO-WV Board Chair. “It gives our members the best of both worlds: continuity and stability as well as the energy and vision to take GO-WV into its next chapter.”
McPhail has been widely recognized for her leadership in West Virginia, including being named a YWCA Woman of Achievement (2025), WVU Tech Alumnus of the Year (2019), and a “Young Gun” by WV Executive Magazine (2015).
“Rebecca is an outstanding leader whose experience and vision will help guide GO-WV into the future,” said Charlie Burd, current President of GO-WV. “Working together over the coming year, we will ensure a seamless transition while continuing to advocate for an industry that is critical to West Virginia’s economy and way of life.”
McPhail holds a bachelor’s degree in history and government from West Virginia University Institute of Technology. She will assume the role of president-elect beginning December 1, 2025.
