Major General Lisa Hou will leave her post in Gov. Phil Murphy’s cabinet as New Jersey’s Adjutant General and Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs in four days after being assigned as the new director of the Office of the Joint Surgeon General, National Guard Bureau.
Murphy today announced that he has named Yvonne L. Mays as Hou’s replacement; if confirmed by the Senate, she would become the first Black woman to hold the position.
“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,” Murphy stated.
Mays currently serves as Hou’s principal advisor, and is a former chief of staff of the New Jersey Air National Guard. She’s served in the U.S. Air Force since 1983, and provided active duty support in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
“Colonel May’s depth of experience over 40 years in service to our state and nation, and her firsthand knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the New Jersey National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, make her an exceptional candidate for this position,” said Murphy. “I am confident that she will continue to support our efforts to serve our Garden State heroes.”
Mays must receive signoff from her two Burlington county senators, Troy Singleton (D-Delran) and Latham Tiver (R-Southampton), before the full Senate may consider her nomination.