Jim Butterworth (politician)
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Jim Butterworth is the Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Previously Butterworth served as the controversial adjutant general (TAG) of the Georgia National Guard. The adjutant general of Georgia is responsible for more than 14,000 personnel in the Georgia Department of Defense, which includes the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air National Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force.
Early life and education
Butterworth is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, and was active in Air Force ROTC.[1] He was named "AFROTC Cadet of the Year" two of his four years at Georgia.
Early career
Butterworth served in the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. He has served as an instructor pilot in the T-38 Talon, pilot in the C-5 Galaxy (C-5A/B) and was a combat qualified Flight Lead and Aircraft Commander in the B-1 Lancer with the Georgia Air National Guard. He then became a pilot for Delta Air Lines. Butterworth resigned from the Air National Guard as a Captain in 2000. In 2011, he was named the adjutant general and given the State rank of Lieutenant General. His salary was commensurate with that of a Lieutenant General though his Air Force recognized rank was Captain. At the time of his departure from the National Guard Butterworth had reached the Air Force rank of Major. He was not permitted to wear an Air Force uniform above the grade of Major. Alternatively, when he served as Adjutant General he wore only two stars and placed "GA" on his lapels to distinguish the uniform from that of an Air Force uniform.
The Georgia National Guard continued to come under scrutiny for ethical lapses among senior leadership. The commander of the Georgia Air National Guard, Major General Thomas Moore, was investigated for numerous ethical and policy violations which were later confirmed by Air Force investigators. He later stepped down after he was required to reimburse the government for money he received improperly. General Moore was later featured as part of an Air Force Times cover story on Air Force General Officers who engaged in misconduct. Butterworth had also received numerous complaints filed against him. At least one complaint was substantiated for improperly using Blackhawk helicopters to deliver a game ball to his former high school. Butterworh was forced to reimburse the government for the use of the helicopter. In April 2015, the State of Georgia settled a whistleblower lawsuit filed against him.
Political career
Butterworth was the Chairman of the Habersham County, Georgia Commission and successfully unseated an incumbent to win a Senate seat in the 50th District of the Georgia State Senate until his appointment to adjutant general in 2011. He served in that position until he took over in January 2015 for outgoing Director Charley English.
Memberships
Butterworth has served as an executive board member of several organizations, including the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs All hazard Council and the Georgia DCA Regional Advisory Committee.
References
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