Ralph J. Bean, Jr., Esq.
Secretary

Ralph J. Bean, Jr. is a member of the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, practicing in the firm's Clarksburg, West Virginia office. He has an extensive background in government relations, public utility and energy concerns. He began his practice of law as a corporate counsel for C&P Telephone Companies in Charleston and later in Washington, D.C. Returning to West Virginia, Mr. Bean served as Elections Chief in the office of then Secretary of State Jay Rockefeller from 1970 to 1972. In 1974, Mr. Brean joined the Consolidated Natural Gas System (CNG) as corporate counsel. Subsequently, in 1984, Mr. Bean was appointed general counsel of Hope Gas Inc., CNG's local distribution company in West Virginia. As corporate counsel, Mr. Bean has handled regulatory litigation before the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and other administrative agencies.

Mr. Bean focuses his activities on state economic development, legislative and regulatory matters, energy law, and state and federal administrative matters. He is a member and past chair of Steptoe & Johnson's International Practice Group and Technology Advancement Team.

One of the most active attorneys in West Virginia economic development, Mr. Bean contributes an in-depth understanding of the complex legal needs of international business, and West Virginia's growing technology industry. Businesses seeking assistance with administrative and regulatory issues in West Virginia value Mr. Bean's unique skills.

A recognized West Virginia business leader, Mr. Bean co-chaired the Economic Development task Force for Governor Bob Wise's Transition Team. He is a member and has twice chaired the West Virginia Council for Community & Economic Development, which is responsible for the State's economic development strategy; is chair of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies & Development at WVU; is past Chair of the West Virginia Business Roundtable, an organization for West Virginia CEO's; and is the founder, as well as past president of the I-79 Development Council, a regional economic development group in north central West Virginia. He has participated in two West Virginia trade missions to Asia and serves on the following high-level boards: West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; West Virginia University Foundation; Huntington National Bank West Virginia; National Technology Transfer center; and Chairman of the Board of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute. Mr. Bean is past Chair of the West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association, the West Virginia State Election Commission and the Young Lawyers Section of the West Virginia State Bar. He was the 1993 recipient of the Order of Vandalia award for distinguished service presented by West Virginia University and received the University's Most Loyal West Virginian award in 1992.

Mr. Bean is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of energy law and was named a 2006 Foundation Fellow by the West Virginia Bar Foundation. He received the West Virginia State Journal Who's Who in Business Awards in 2006.

Mr. Bean received his law degree from West Virginia University where he also obtained his undergraduate degree in Political Science. While in law school, he was the Editor in Chief of the West Virginia Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He received his master of law degree from Harvard University in 1967. Mr. Bean is admitted to practice law in West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.