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Gov. Gregoire appoints Brigadier General Bret Daugherty as new Adjutant General of the State of Washington

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced Brigadier General Bret D. Daugherty as Adjutant General of the State of Washington. In that role, Daugherty will serve as commander of all Washington Army and Air National Guard forces and Director of the State's Emergency Management and Enhanced 911 programs. He will also serve as Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Washington and as State Administrative Agent for all United States Department of Homeland Security grants awarded to Washington's state, local, tribal and non-profit agencies and organizations.

Daugherty replaces Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg who is retiring after more than 44 years of military service, with 13 of those years serving as Adjutant General.

�General Daugherty brings the skills, leadership and teamwork that are critical to the ongoing success of the Washington National Guard and Emergency Management Department,� Gregoire said. �His record of experience and impressive background will serve the state well. He leads both by serving and by building a strong team around him.�

Daugherty assumed duties as Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Washington National Guard and as Commander, Washington Army National Guard in 2009. Daugherty has been responsible for the coordination of policies, programs and plans affecting the Washington Army National Guard and has ensured the recruitment and career management of soldiers and leaders.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to serve Governor Gregoire, the Washington Military Department and the people of the State of Washington," said Brigadier General Bret Daugherty.

Daugherty attended Seattle University where he was awarded an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship. Upon graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate in June of 1980, he was commissioned as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant. He left active duty in 1989 and joined the Washington Army National Guard in 1990.

Gregoire also thanked Lowenberg for his years of service. �General Lowenberg has been an invaluable advisor and confidant to me since the day I became governor,� Gregoire said. �His leadership at the state and national level on military issues, homeland security and domestic preparedness are second to none.�

Lowenberg is the second longest-serving Adjutant General since the Washington Territorial Militia was first fielded in 1855. His time in office is second only to Major General Maurice Thompson, a Washington National Guard icon who served for nearly half of a century in the Guard; 27 of those years as Adjutant General. His administration will be remembered for its transformational leadership and change during a crucial time in the history of our nation and the National Guard.

The Washington Military Department works to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, the environment, and the economy of Washington State. The department also provides trained and ready forces for state and federal missions, and provides structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth. Nearly 9,000 citizen-soldiers, airmen and civilian employees comprise the ranks of the Washington Military Department. Numerous members of the Washington National Guard have also served in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and are still serving in the war in Afghanistan and deployed in nearly a dozen other countries.

A change of command ceremony between Lowenberg and Daugherty will take place on Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at the 66th Theater Aviation Command readiness center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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