John D. Perdue is West Virginia’s 24th State Treasurer. As State Treasurer, Perdue has modernized the office, creating a transparent, secure and state-of-the-art operation.
As the banker of state government, Treasurer Perdue manages more than $16 billion of state money annually. The Treasurer’s Office has set records in the Unclaimed Property Division by returning millions to rightful owners over the course of his administration. In addition, he oversees the state’s Board of Treasury Investments, the West Virginia Retirement Plus deferred compensation plan, the SMART529 college savings program and the WVABLE program.
The Treasurer’s commitment to education is unparalleled. His NetWorth financial education program is nationally recognized with the distinct honor of a 2009 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Award. The NetWorth program was also selected as a regional finalist for the Council of State Government Innovations Award for two consecutive years.
Treasurer Perdue is the only West Virginia State Treasurer to serve as president of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). He was honored as the organization’s Treasurer of the Year in 2007. In 2012 he received the Unclaimed Property Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
Treasurer Perdue has been elected to serve a record six terms. He holds the title of longest-serving state treasurer in West Virginia and is the second longest-serving state treasurer in the nation.
Treasurer Perdue started his public service career with the Department of Agriculture. During his time there he held several positions, including the title of Assistant Commissioner. In 1989 he became executive assistant to former Governor Gaston Caperton and served as a member of his executive staff for eight years.
John Perdue is a 1972 graduate of West Virginia University and a native of Boone County. He and his wife Robin have two adult daughters.
Treasurer Perdue’s accomplishments include:
- The Board of Treasury Investments receiving Standard and Poor’s AAAm, the highest rating available
- Establishing of the SMART529 college savings program
- Creating the nationally award-winning NetWorth financial education initiative and the “Get a Life” budget simulation
- Hosting dozens of workshops and conferences to help West Virginian’s better manage their financial assets
- Returning of millions in unclaimed property to state residents
- Taking control of West Virginia Retirement Plus, the state’s deferred compensation plan
- Establishing the WVABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program for people with disabilities
- Serving as past president of the National Association of State Treasurers and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators
- Receiving NAUPA’s lifetime achievement award