1/18/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the retirement of Adjutant General Allen E. Tackett effective Jan. 31, 2011.
General Tackett is the longest-serving adjutant general in the nation and in state history. He was appointed by Gov. Gaston Caperton to the state's top military post on September 11, 1995.
"It has been my privilege to know General Tackett for many years. He is a true patriot who cares deeply for the state of West Virginia,” Gov. Tomblin said. "He is an outstanding public servant who has worked his whole life to make things better for the people of West Virginia. We owe him a great deal of gratitude for his 48 years of dedicated service.”
Tackett led the state Guard through one of the most tumultuous periods in history. He deployed nearly 11,000 Guard members overseas for federal missions and directed the Guard's response to more than 80 state emergencies.
In addition, the Guard enjoyed significant growth during Tackett's tenure as adjutant general. He brought more than $2 billion in federal investment to West Virginia, using that money to build infrastructure and create jobs that allow state citizens to work on national-level initiatives while keeping their families in West Virginia.
"My goal in life was to be adjutant general of the state of West Virginia," Tackett said. "I am so proud of the things the Guard has been able to accomplish over the last 15 years, and I am honored to have led men and women who are willing to sacrifice everything to serve their state and country. The Guard has been successful because of their commitment to making West Virginia's National Guard the best in the nation."
Gov. Tomblin has selected Brig. Gen. James Hoyer as Tackett's replacement. Hoyer is a 30-year Army National Guard veteran who most recently served as the Guard's director of joint staff and Tackett's top assistant.
Prior to joining the Guard, Hoyer worked more than eight years as chief of staff and executive assistant for the speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates. He also served as a faculty member, director of the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Government Studies, and director of Special Programs at the University of Charleston.
"I look forward to working with General Hoyer when he assumes the adjutant general's post next month," said Gov. Tomblin. "His experience in military and state government affairs makes him the best person for the job, and I am confident he will continue to strengthen the Guard's reputation as a vital component of our nation's armed forces."
Hoyer said he is excited about the opportunity. "I'm honored that General Tackett recommended me as his replacement and grateful that Gov. Tomblin has the confidence in me to lead the top National Guard in the nation," said Hoyer. "I'll work hard every day to take care of the men and women of the National Guard and their families and continue to move the vision of Fort West Virginia forward."
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
(304) 558-2000