Administration Secretary Resigns

{Charleston, West Virginia}...Wednesday, Robert Ferguson stepped down as secretary of the Department of Administration. Ferguson says recent press coverage critical of his advocacy on behalf of fellow veterans helped prompt his decision. Ferguson, a retired Marine officer, has frequently weighed in on which military deployments should count toward a public employee's retirement benefits. The department's component agencies include the state retirement board. Former Governor Joe Manchin appointed Ferguson to the post in January 2005.