Gale Y. Given was elected the first woman state president of Verizon West Virginia, Inc., on July 1, 2000, and state president of Verizon Kentucky, Inc., on December 15, 2000. 

A native of Point Pleasant, Gale began her career in 1979 at C&P Telephone of West Virginia in the Charleston central office engineering organization.  In 1987, Gale moved to Bell Communications Research, the research arm of the regional Bell operating companies.

Gale earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Marshall University and graduated magna cum laude.  She later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration through Marshall University’s Saturday Executive MBA Program.

Due to Gale’s commitment to civic leadership and philanthropy, she was awarded “The Doctor of Humane Letters Degree” in May 2002 from her alma mater.

Gale is a member of the Governor’s Technology Enterprise Investment Council and West Virginia Roundtable.  She serves on the board of the West Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T) Advisory Board, MUGC Advisory Board, Marshall University Foundation, Children’s Home Society, Business and Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCO), Discover the Real West Virginia, West Virginia Independent College & Universities, West Virginia Council for Community and Economic Development, CAMC Foundation and the Charleston Rotary. 

Gale, her husband and three children live in Teays Valley.