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Governor Sonny Perdue (center) rides on a World War II-era Jeep during Sunday's ceremony changing command of the Georgia National Guard. Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt (right) assumed leadership of the 13,000 members of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, and Georgia State Defense Force during the ceremony at Fort McPherson. He takes the reins of command from Lt. General David B. Poythress (left) who has been Georgia's Adjutant General since 1999. Poythress, who is retiring following a 44 year military career, will enter private business. (Photo by Spec. Tracy Smith, Georgia National Guard)
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The 13,000-member Georgia National Guard welcomed a new leader on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, during a traditional military ceremony at Atlanta’s Fort McPherson. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue officiated the ceremonial transfer of command as Major General William T. (Terry) Nesbitt became the state’s 41st Adjutant General. In accepting the position Nesbitt thanked the Governor and lauded the support of his wife, Letha, and family and his fellow Guardsmen.
The ceremony brought to an end the tenure of Lt. General David B. Poythress who has been the Adjutant General since 1999. In stepping down, Poythress emphasized to the assembled troops that serving them as Adjutant General had been a "priviledge" .
Poythress, who previously served as Georgia’s Secretary of State and Labor Commissioner, is retiring from the military to enter private business as the Chief Executive Officer of American United Bancorp, Inc. in Gwinnett County.
More than 400 political, civic and military leaders attended the ceremony, which included military traditions including troop inspections, cannon firings and military march music. The ceremony also featured a flyover of eight helicopters and cargo airplanes representing the National Guard’s aviation units.
As Adjutant General, Nesbitt reports directly to the Governor with responsibility for providing command and control authority over the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force.
“General Nesbitt brings with him a wealth of knowledge and more than forty years of military experience that have honed his leadership skills,” said Governor Perdue. “He has demonstrated deep commitment and serious dedication to helping Georgia meet the challenges of the future.”
Nesbitt previously served as commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and in 2006 was appointed by Perdue as the director of Georgia’s Office of Homeland Security. Among his many military accomplishments, he commanded Joint Task Force G8, an organization of over 7,000 personnel from all services to conduct military support operations for the Group of Eight Summit at Sea Island, GA in June 2004.
Adjutant General of Georgia