MORGANTOWN — Gov. Jim Justice and people across West Virginia joined together on Monday to congratulate Adjutant General James Hoyer as he steps into his new role, and to welcome new Adjutant General Bill Crane.
In light of the pandemic, the Change of Command ceremony – typically held in person – was performed virtually with Justice, Hoyer and Crane all participating from separate locations.
“Today is a day of celebration,” Justice said. “It’s a day of appreciation … a day Jim Hoyer probably never thought would really come to pass.”
Hoyer, a major general by rank, has served in uniform for 40 years and has spent the last four leading the West Virginia National Guard as adjutant general. As previously reported, he turns 60 in the spring, the mandatory retirement age for a National Guard general officer.
Stepping down from that leadership post on Monday, he’ll continue to serve as a part-time state employee, leading the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force handling the COVID vaccine program. He’ll also start working by contract with WVU until he assumes his full-time WVU post in July as senior associate vice president for strategic initiatives. He and his wife, Amy, moved to Morgantown during Thanksgiving weekend.
Hoyer and the Guard, Justice said, have “done a phenomenal, phenomenal job. … You give so much and you ask so little all the time.”
Justice said he met and worked with Hoyer before he ran for governor. He recalls standing in the mud with Hoyer after the 216 flood watching crews haul rubble away. Hoyer drove across the border to Virginia to buy KFC for the Guard members handling the floor response.
“At the end of the day I’ve seen your soul,” he said of Hoyer and the Guard members.
Justice presented Hoyer with the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal in honor of his years of service to the state and nation.
Hoyer told Justice, I appreciate so much being able to serve with you and for you.”
He thanked his family and colleagues in uniform and all those who’ve helped him along the way and encourage the Guard to continue to lead by example under the leadership of Crane. “God surrounded me with a lot of great family and friends and colleagues,” he said. “I like to tell folks I was raised by a village.”
His new role, he said, will allow him to continue to pursue his two chief passions: taking care of his family and serving the state, working to make sure the next generation has the same kind of opportunities he’s had so West Virginia can “become the center of the universe, as it should be.”
Crane, a brigadier general by rank, said “I’m humbled to be selected.” He has a tremendous team and he’s seen the Army and Air Guard come together as one guard.
He acknowledged Hoyer’s mentorship. “He’s a true leader and visionary that works hard for what’s right.”
Crane also thanked his family for its past sacrifices and those to come. “I couldn’t be here without their devotion, support and occasional push when I needed it.”
Sen. Joe Manchin said in a statement, “Since 1983, General Hoyer has served West Virginia and the United States admirably and I wish him and his wife Amy well in all their future endeavors. I look forward to working with General Crane in his new role as Adjutant General as he leads our brave servicemembers and wish Bill and his wife Jennifer luck as they take on this new role.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said in an email exchange, “Gen. Hoyer has been such an asset to our National Guard here in West Virginia. He has dedicated his life to serving our country and I am extremely grateful for his decades of service. In addition to their duty to serve our nation when called upon, West Virginia’s National Guard is utilized in so many different ways, whether during natural disasters or meeting the challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I wish Gen. Hoyer all the best at WVU and look forward to continuing to work with Brig. Gen. Crane in his new role. Having served in the WVNG for several decades and as a native West Virginian, Crane is well suited to take up this leadership mantle and I look forward to helping him any way I can.”
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