TRIADELPHIA — Dr. Steven L. Corder, medical director for Northwood Health Systems, will represent the Northern Panhandle on the West Virginia First Foundation board — a group charged with determining how nearly $1 billion in opioid settlement money will be spent by the state.

Corder was elected to the job by local municipal government officials who turned out for the meeting to select a District 1 representative to the board Thursday night at The Highlands Events Center. There were 29 municipalities invited to participate, Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell said.

Each of the municipalities had the opportunity to nominate a person for the board, but only three chose to do so.

Corder was nominated by the city of Wheeling. The Ohio County Commission nominated Mark Phillips, president and CEO of Catholic Charities WV; and the Marshall County Commission set forth Dana Pond, director of prevention services for Youth Services System Inc.

Corder has been a physician for over 30 years and is also a psychiatrist who has a background in treating children and adolescents. He is board certified in psychiatry, as well as neurology and addiction.

He is a graduate of the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

“When the opioid epidemic began, it seemed the type of patients I saw changed dramatically overnight,” Corder said. “Admissions I had seen here — historically it was about half mental illness and substance abuse problems. It seemed like overnight it became over 90% opioid problems … that percentage has been consistent since this epidemic began.”

He added he has worked with those with substance use issues over the decades to help them make a better life for themself.

“I know some things that work. I know some things that don’t work,” Corder said. “I think I would be more than qualified to give assistance to this committee for the management and treatment and care of the people of West Virginia.”

A memorandum of understanding approved by the West Virginia Legislature earlier this year states the West Virginia First Foundation board will have 11 members, the first five of which will be appointed by the governor. The local governments in each of six regions established under the MOU have been meeting to select their representative member.

Region 1 encompasses Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties. The Ohio County Commission — representing the largest county within the area — had been charged with convening the meeting of representatives of all local governments in Region 1.

Those on the West Virginia First Foundation board will consider proposals for spending opioid settlement funds limited to evidence-based treatment strategies for substance use disorders or addiction; substance use prevention strategies; and law enforcement efforts that curtail drug distribution, support addiction recovery programs or decrease the oversupply of both lawful and illicit opioids.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was present at Thursday’s meeting and provided a breakdown of percentages designating how the nearly $1 billion in opioid settlement money can be spent.

He said 72.5% of the net settlement funds will be placed with the West Virginia First Foundation to develop and oversee projects relating to ending the opioid crisis.

The next 24.5% of the money is to be directed to local governments, defined as “counties, cities, towns and villages.”

The remaining 3% is to be placed in escrow for expenses incurred relating to the opioid litigation. Dollars remaining in the fund after Dec. 31, 2026, will be divided up between the foundations and the local governments.

Morrisey noted the creation of the West Virginia First Foundation board is the culmination of more than 10 years of litigation and settlement work by his office against drug manufacturers.

“The goal of the foundations is to serve as an entity that is going to put real lead on the target — attacking the drug problem holistically from a supply, demand and educational perspective,” he said. “But, of course, money alone is not going to take back all the lives that have been lost. It has been a terrible tragedy for all of us in the state. All of us know someone who has been affected and touched by the drug epidemic.”