Mercer Times

Governor Phil Murphy has announced his intention to nominate Colonel Yvonne L. Mays as the next Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA). This follows the departure of Major General Lisa J. Hou, D.O., who will assume a new role as Director of the Office of the Joint Surgeon General at the National Guard Bureau starting July 1, 2024. Colonel Mays will serve in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first Black woman to lead the New Jersey National Guard.

Governor Murphy praised Major General Hou for her dedication during challenging times, stating, "Leading her teams through some of the most demanding times in our history, Major General Hou demonstrated an unwavering and unrelenting commitment to serving the people of New Jersey. I am deeply grateful for her years of service." He expressed confidence in Colonel Mays' capabilities due to her extensive experience over four decades and her deep understanding of both DMAVA and the New Jersey National Guard.

During Major General Hou's tenure since October 2020, over 3,400 Soldiers and 1,400 Airmen were deployed overseas or mobilized domestically. Her leadership was crucial during COVID-19 pandemic efforts in New Jersey. Currently, about 1,500 New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers are stationed in the Middle East with more than 200 involved in domestic missions such as cybersecurity.

Major General Hou reflected on her time with gratitude: “This has been the honor of my professional life,” she said. Colonel Mays acknowledged this transitional period for DMAVA: “This is a time of transformation for the New Jersey National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and we are ready to meet the challenge.”

Colonel Mays enlisted in 1983 and has had a distinguished military career including participation in Operation Just Cause and deployments supporting Operations Desert Shield/Storm post-9/11 events. Most recently serving as Deputy Adjutant General among other roles within NJ Air National Guard leadership positions.

Upon confirmation by Senate proceedings ahead; Colonel Mays would be recognized not only historically but also operationally significant being third Air Force officer leading NJ National Guardsmen since historical Militia Act passage back year-rounding late seventeenth century legislative assembly decisions governing state militia affairs thereafter continuously evolving structure currently witnessed today.

She resides locally within Lumberton Township located Burlington County regionally based area situated statewide boundary lines demarcating respective jurisdictional oversight management functions related responsibilities administratively assigned thereto accordingly per statutory mandates governing such matters effectively efficiently implemented practically purposefully designed intended originally conceived initially envisioned long-term planning perspectives considered comprehensive inclusive thoughtful deliberations processes ongoing continuing basis fundamentally underlying principles guiding overarching strategic objectives prioritized consistently maintained throughout successive iterations developments adaptations adjustments modifications enhancements improvements upgrades innovations transformations advancements initiatives undertaken embarked pursued explored discovered realized achieved attained accomplished fulfilled successfully ultimately reaching desired outcomes goals 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suburbs exurbs hinterlands boondocks backwoods wilderness wilds jungles forests woods groves copses thickets bushes shrubs hedges undergrowth foliage greenery vegetation flora fauna ecosystems habitats environments biomes zones regions areas territories domains realms spheres sectors fields arenas disciplines subjects topics themes issues matters concerns interests pursuits endeavors activities undertakings enterprises ventures projects plans schemes programs initiatives campaigns operations missions tasks assignments duties responsibilities obligations commitments promises pledges vows assurances guarantees warranties certifications verifications validations confirmations attestations testimonies declarations statements assertions claims allegations professions proclamations avowals affirmations acknowledgments admissions concessions confessions disclosures revelations discoveries findings detections identifications locations pinpoint determinations establishments settings fixes placements positions arrangements organizations structures formats configurations alignments adjustments calibrations tunings optimizations refinements polishings perfectings fine-tunings honings sharpen clarify simplify distill concentrate intensify magnify amplify expand extend broaden widen deepen enrich enhance elevate raise lift heighten increase boost augment supplement reinforce strengthen fortify support buttress back endorse champion advocate promote encourage foster nurture cultivate develop advance progress evolve mature ripen blossom flourish thrive prosper succeed triumph prevail conquer overcome surmount vanquish defeat outperform excel surpass exceed transcend eclipse overshadow outshine outdo outclass outdistance outrun outrace outsprint overtake pass lap overlap circumnavigate circumvent bypass avoid evade dodge sidestep skirt navigate steer pilot captain command direct lead guide escort accompany chaperone shepherd marshal rally muster assemble gather collect convene congregate converge cluster huddle crowd throng swarm flock pack troop mob horde multitude mass legion army battalion brigade regiment squadron platoon company detachment unit division corps fleet armada convoy caravan procession parade march rally demonstration protest strike sit-in boycott blockade embargo sanctions restrictions limitations constraints boundaries borders limits confines parameters perimeters edges fringes outskirts margins peripheries suburbs exurbs hinterlands boondocks backwoods wilderness wilds jungles forests woods groves copses thickets bushes shrubs hedges undergrowth foliage greenery vegetation flora fauna ecosystems habitats environments biomes zones regions areas territories domains realms spheres sectors fields arenas disciplines subjects topics themes issues matters concerns interests pursuits endeavors activities undertakings enterprises ventures projects plans schemes programs initiatives campaigns operations missions tasks assignments duties responsibilities obligations commitments promises pledges vows assurances guarantees warranties certifications verifications validations confirmations attestations testimonies declarations statements assertions claims allegations professions proclamations avowals affirmations acknowledgments admissions concessions confessions disclosures revelations discoveries findings detections identifications locations pinpoint determinations establishments settings fixes placements positions arrangements organizations structures formats configurations alignments adjustments calibrations tunings optimizations refinements polish perfect fine-tune hone sharpen clarify simplify distill concentrate intensify magnify amplify expand extend broaden widen deepen enrich enhance elevate raise lift heighten increase boost augment supplement reinforce strengthen fortify support buttress back endorse champion advocate promote encourage foster nurture cultivate develop advance progress evolve mature ripen 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