Michael Martin, Mayor

Born and raised in Mount Hope, Mayor Martin is serving his first four-year term as the city's full-time chief executive. Martin is chairman of the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone and spearheaded construction of the city's $3 million industrial park. He is president of the Mount Hope Historic Landmarks Commission and founded the Princess Arts Group, which operates in the city's Princess Theatre on Main Street. The mayor is a member of the Mount Hope Lion's Club and the American Screen Actors Guild. He is an announcer for Mount Hope Mustangs Football and was named Mount Hope's 1996 Citizen of the Year.

Norville Ellison, Council Member

A veteran county developer, Ellison has been a former director of the 4-C Certified Development Corp. and past president of the Fayette Plateau Chamber of Commerce. He is a former Mount Hope Councilman and member of the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Commission. Ellison was named Mount Hope's 1999 Citizen of the Year. He is a director of the board of the Beckley Child Care Center and is a past president of the Mount Hope Lion's Club.

Betty Lilly, Council Member

Dedicated to local beautification, Lilly has headed many city and county land-management programs. She spearheaded the area's Dunloup Creek Watershed Project and has served as Mount Hope's Building Inspector. She is a former council member and current member of the Fayette County Black Lung Association and of the board of directors of the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone.

Jack Sears, Council Member

Among the city's most civic personalities, Sears has served as Mount Hope City Recorder and past president of the Mount Hope Lion's Club. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, which has been instrumental in Mount Hope's growth for more than a century.

Steve Brown, Council Member

Mount Hope native Steve Brown, a former city councilman, represents Mount Hope's baby-boom generation on the city council. A graduate of West Virginia University and Marshall University, Brown holds a master's degree in public accountancy.

Mal Parker, Council Member

Ret. U.S. Army Major Malcolm Parker served as president of the Rolling Valley West Civic Association in Virginia before returning to his native Fayette County. While in Rolling Valley West, Fairfax, Virginia, Parker served as co-chair of area's Neighborhood Watch Program, a program started in the area by Parker.  Parker attended public school in Montgomery and Huntington, WV. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a BS degree in math.

Wendy Romage, City Recorder

A life-long Mount Hope resident, Romage is employed as a travel counselor by the West Virginia Parkways, Economic Development, and Tourism Authority. She was graduated from nearby Concord College and graduated with honors from Mount Hope High School. Romage's also volunteers as an organizer of the Bridge Day Festival at Fayetteville, West Virginia's largest one-day festival, held annually on the New River Gorge Bridge.