Georgia’s Col. Jimmy Davis, director of human resources for the Georgia National Guard, has been appointed the National Guard Bureau’s deputy director for human resources. He is expected to report to Washington this month.

Many of Davis’ friends and colleagues recently honored him during a luncheon at Fort McPherson. Among the many accolades he received was the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal presented by Col (ret) Ed Chamberlain, director of workforce development. 

"I feel very honored and appreciative of this unique opportunity to serve," Davis said in his farewell speech. "This new assignment provides me the opportunity to streamline and improve the human resources processes at the national level, and it permits me to assist my human resource colleagues and friends throughout the United States. 

"Still, I will truly miss my HRO family and other friends in the Georgia Guard," he added. You have all made a difference in my life."

Davis, a 37-year military veteran, has been the Department of Defense director of human resources since October 1996. Under his leadership, the Georgia DoD was awarded the nation’s first Diversity Excellence Award in 2002. This recognition is one of the National Guard’s highest honors in the human relations field, and it represents the Georgia National Guard’s focus on its people.

Davis also was instrumental in the successful handling of human resources and manpower issues relating to the formation of the 116th Air Control Wing, the first combined Guard and active-duty wing in the Air Force.

He began his military career in January 1966 and was assigned to Marietta's 116th Military Airlift Group. Davis was commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1978 and later became a personnel officer, serving in several human resources directorate positions. He commanded the 116th Fighter Wing Mission Support Squadron for three years. During that time the unit received the Outstanding Unit Award.

Davis was military venue commander at the Georgia Dome during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. He commanded more than 200 troops, who provided security and other support to the event.

Davis continues as chairman of the Georgia DoD human resources team. Under his guidance, the team was honored in 2001 with the Oglethorpe Award for Organizational Excellence.