CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) has selected an experienced leader and advocate for civil liberties as its new executive director.
Eli Baumwell, who has worked for the organization for over nine years primarily as its Director of Advocacy, was hired by the organization’s Board of Directors earlier this week.
Baumwell called the opportunity to serve an honor. “Over the last nine years, I've seen firsthand all the ways that that ACLU shows up. It is a huge responsibility to become a leader for this organization and I'm looking forward to continuing the work with my colleagues of building a more just and more free West Virginia and America.”
Baumwell, who started his career with ACLU-WV working to ensure the state enacted necessary reforms to the juvenile justice system, served as the organization’s Advocacy Director from 2015 to 2023. He currently serves as the organization’s Interim Executive Director.
In his time at ACLU-WV, Baumwell has, at the state level, worked on expanding voting rights, reforming pretrial detention, restricting government surveillance of citizens, and expanding access to reproductive healthcare. He’s also worked on numerous local issues, including creating a citizen police oversight board in Morgantown, and protecting the rights of people experiencing homelessness throughout the state.
ACLU-WV Board President Anne Farmer described Baumwell as a “passionate advocate for the advancement of civil liberties.” Farmer said, “The Board of Directors is excited for Eli to lead this organization during this pivotal time in our state and our country.”