Major General H. Michael Edwards, Executive Director

Date appointed: 12/31/10

Senate Committee hearing date: 2/2/11

Senate Committee hearing vote: Passed Committee vote - 5-0

Senate vote date: TBD

Senate vote: TBD

Salary: $146,040

"Gen. Edwards will continue to be a strong voice for veterans in Colorado who have proudly served our country,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said. “He is an experienced leader and Colorado is fortunate to have him in command of the Colorado Army and Air National Guard."

Edwards oversees the Colorado National Guard’s primary missions of national defense and state emergency response. In addition, he is responsible for supporting the missions of the Civil Air Patrol’s Colorado Wing, consisting of more than 2,500 volunteers.

Edwards was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1973 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, and earned his pilot wings in 1974. He served as an F-4 Pilot and AT-38 Fighter Lead-in Instructor Pilot at Osan Air Base, Korea, and Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., respectively.
 

Edwards joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1980. He has served in numerous assignments in flying and operations, as well as command positions at squadron, group and wing levels. He also served as Combat Air Operations Center Director, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from May to June 2003.

Edwards is a command pilot with more than 4,600 military flight hours, including 135 combat hours. He has flown the A-7, AT-38, C-21, F-4, F-16, T-37 and T-38 aircraft.
 

Edwards was appointed by Gov. Ritter in 2007 to lead the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

About the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs:

Led by the Adjutant General, the Department administers both the State’s Divisions of Military Affairs and Division of Veterans Affairs. The Division of Military Affairs is responsible for the command and administration of approximately 5,500 Colorado Army and Air National Guard members. The Division of Veterans Affairs is the State agency mandated to assist Colorado’s 420,000 veterans and their family members in securing benefits they are entitled to because of service in the military.