The chief executive of West Virginia is the governor of West Virginia , who is elected to a four - year term at the same time as presidential elections . The governor is sworn in the January following the November election . A governor may only serve two consecutive terms . A governor may run for a third term , but an interceding election must occur . Democrat Jim Justice was elected governor in 2016 , defeating Bill Cole in the general election .

Question: who heads the executive department of west virginia government
Answer: Jim Justice