WVSSAC Announces Trio of Additions to its Staff
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on June 23, 2025
The WVSSAC today announced several additions to its staff: Dr. Jaclyn Swayne and Chris Wells have been named Assistant Executive Directors, and Jason Bankston has been appointed as Director of Compliance.
All three will officially begin their roles on July 1. Sport oversight and specific areas of responsibility will be determined at a later date.
“Jaclyn, Chris and Jason bring a variety of skills along with a broad and diverse set of talents and abilities,” said incoming WVSSAC Executive Director Wayne Ryan. “I’m confident they will contribute meaningfully to our mission and continue the WVSSAC’s commitment to serving and supporting our members across West Virginia.”
Swayne comes to the WVSSAC following 21 years of service in Kanawha County Schools and most recently serving as principal of her alma mater, St.?Albans High School, a role she has held since 2020. Her prior experience includes serving as Assistant Principal at both Capital High School and Sissonville Middle School. She began her career in 2004 as a teacher at Capital High School, where she also coached and advised several student organizations.
She holds a Doctor of Education from Concordia University, a master’s in education administration from Grand Canyon University, and a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Marshall University. She has been active in several statewide leadership organizations, including serving as President of the Kanawha County Secondary Principals Association and Vice President of the Mountain State Athletic Conference Board of Control. She is also a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Charleston, W.Va.
“Jaclyn will be a great asset to the WVSSAC office,” Ryan said. “Her professional background will serve our member schools well. She brings outstanding organizational and communication skills to the role and has a true passion for education-based athletics.”
“I am grateful to God for the opportunity to still exercise my passion for supporting and serving the interscholastic activities of our member schools across my beloved state of West Virginia,” Swayne said. “To have the opportunity to serve officials, coaches, spectators, and student-athletes is both an honor and a gift. I look forward to working alongside Mr. Ryan and the entire WVSSAC team to support our schools and communities. I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders and inspire more students to participate in the school-based activities they love.”
She and her husband, Scott, have three children: Isabella, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
Wells joins the WVSSAC from Ritchie County High School, where he served as principal and athletic director. He previously held roles as assistant principal and athletic director, physical education teacher, athletic trainer, and coach during his 18-year career at his alma mater.
He earned three degrees from Marshall University—a B.A. in Athletic Training, an M.A.T. in Physical and Health Education, and a School Principalship Certificate—and became a National Certified Athletic Administrator through the NIAAA in 2020. Wells has been active in the Little Kanawha Conference and the West Virginia Athletic Director’s Association.
“Chris brings valuable experience to this position,” Ryan said. “He is a steady, reliable leader and a true professional. I look forward to the positive impact he will have on our organization as we continue to serve our member schools.”
“I’m honored and grateful to be a part of an exceptional group of individuals dedicated to supporting the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators through interscholastic activities,” Wells said. “I look forward to working alongside Mr. Ryan and the WVSSAC staff to enhance opportunities and experiences for students across West Virginia.”
Wells and his wife Lori are the parents of two children, Alexis and Grayson.
Bankston, who will serve as the Director of Compliance, most recently served as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Cabell Midland High School, where he managed one of the largest athletic programs in the state. Under his leadership, the school earned multiple state championships and back-to-back Gandy Awards for best overall athletic program in the Mountain State Athletic Conference.
Earlier in his career, Bankston spent over a decade in the classroom, teaching in both Cabell and Wayne counties. He also has extensive coaching experience in football, baseball, wrestling, golf, and tennis at the middle and high school levels, including at Huntington High, Tug Valley, and Clarkston High School in Georgia.
A Certified Athletic Administrator, Bankston is active in the West Virginia Athletic Directors Association and the NIAAA, where he serves on the national awards committee.
Bankston is a graduate of Williamson High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Marshall University in 2006. He completed a Master’s in Multi-Categorical Special Education in 2012 and obtained a Leadership Studies Certification in 2018. He also holds the designation of Certified Athletic Administrator from the NIAAA.
“Jason brings a diverse set of skills and will be a valuable addition to the WVSSAC staff,” Ryan said. “He is a hard worker with a high level of enthusiasm for education-based athletics, and I look forward to the structure and leadership he will bring to the Director of Compliance position.”
“I thank God for the chance to continue working with education-based athletics,” Bankston said. “Serving the youth of this great state has always been my passion, and I’m grateful to do so in this role. I also appreciate the support I’ve received throughout my career that helped me earn this appointment.”
