Mayor of Follansbee

Mr. Anthony Paesano

1334 Main Street
Follansbee, WV 26037
Office: (304) 527-1330
Phone: (304) 527-2668

Biography

Mayor Anthony "Tony" Paesano was elected the 28^th Mayor of Follansbee, West Virginia on December 31, 2001. A life-long resident of Follansbee, Mayor Paesano is dedicated to the "Future of Follansbee."

Committed to family, country, education, and the community, Mayor Paesano was elected with over 75 percent of the vote, coming into office with an honest, active, and progressive attitude of working for the citizen of Follansbee. His pledge to lead Follansbee into the future has provided the city with a constant catalyst towards progress.

Educated in Brooke County, Mayor Paesano attended Follansbee schools and graduated from Follansbee High School in 1947. He attended Duquesne University earning a B.A. Degree in Education and a M.A. in Education Administration from West Virginia University. While attending Duquesne University he received ROTC training and entered the United States Army as a Lieutenant. Mayor Paesano served two years during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he returned to his hometown.

In 1955, Mayor Paesano accepted a teaching and coaching position at Follansbee St. Anthony High School. In 1959, he left Follansbee to accept a teaching and coaching position at Cannon McMillan High School in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, but with his heart still in Follansbee. Mayor Paesano returned to Follansbee in 1965 to resume his teaching and coaching duties. For the next 25 years, the Mayor continued his career as a Brooke County educator. In 1973 he became Principal of Brooke High School where he worked for the next 16 years making it a premier school in the state of West Virginia.

Economic Development, the Steel Industry, and Services have remained a priority for Mayor Paesano. He spent his term as mayor setting goals and working full time to promote the growth and development of the city while maintaining excellent service to all.

The Mayor is a firm believer in giving back to the community. Throughout his life he has served his church and community. Upon retirement from the Brooke County Educational System, he served as a Board of Education Member for ten years resigning to pursue his candidacy for mayor. Additionally, Mayor Paesano has served as President of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, Board of the Brooke - Hancock Business Development Corporation, and Change Incorporated. He has also chaired the Follansbee Economic Development Council. Mayor Paesano's devotion to the future of Follansbee is witnessed in his commitment to the youth of Brooke County. As founder and president of the Brooke County Educational Scholarship Foundation, he was instrumental in raising over $185,000 in scholarships for worthy Brooke High students. He believes in the youth of today and continues to work diligently to create opportunities for them to remain in Follansbee.

Mayor Paesano is proud and committed to his family. Married for over 50 years to his wife Lorraine, together they have raised three children: Toni, Frank, and John. They are the proud grandparents of Erik, Kirk, Jake, Deidrea, Anthony, and Ciara. Mayor Paesano continues to establish programs that will provide opportunities for the youth of Follansbee.