CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Adjutant General Jim Hoyer is retiring from the National Guard but will continue with Gov. Jim Justice’s administration on the pandemic response and other special projects.
Gov. Jim Justice announced during Monday’s media briefing that Hoyer would be leaving the Guard and taking a position as an associate vice president at West Virginia University.
“He expressed his desire to retire from the uniform but he wanted to continue to serve the state. He said he wanted to continue to work with me in moving the state forward but in a different role,” Justice said.
Justice added that Hoyer will be the leader of the joint interagency task force on vaccination, remain on the COVID advisory team and work on economic development projects such as Hyperloop.
“Many of you know that General Hoyer was a key part of my team that convinces Hyperloop to come to West Virginia. We need his leadership to move forward with Hyperloop,” Justice said.
Hoyer, who will move to Morgantown where his wife has taken a new job and where one of his sons lives, said it was time to move on as he approaches 60 years old.
“I think it’s time for me to step out in uniform, let somebody else focus on taking care of the soldiers and airmen of the guard, day-to-day. So I can focus on pandemic response, vaccine distribution and economic development opportunities,” Hoyer said.
“While I may be changing uniforms, I intend to be with you to take care of the people of West Virginia and figure out how to do more.”
Hoyer will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Bill Crane. The appointment becomes effective Jan. 4.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito expressed well wishes towards Hoyer Monday afternoon in a tweet:
General Hoyer has been such an asset to @WVNationalGuard, and I wish him well in his next role at @WestVirginiaU. Looking forward to working with Brigadier General Crane! https://t.co/5Gj8fLFxWU pic.twitter.com/Y9eoIkzrq3
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) November 23, 2020