AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday named a temporary replacement for Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, the outgoing commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management and adjutant general of the Maine National Guard.

Rob McAleer, the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, will be acting commissioner until a selection committee finds Libby’s permanent successor.

“Rob brings vast experience to this position, both as director of MEMA and a retired colonel in the United States Marine Corps,” LePage said. “He will do a fine job leading the department during this transition period.”

Since Libby announced his retirement, a letter calling for applications was sent by the governor to all current members of the Maine National Guard qualified under Maine law to serve as adjutant general.

The LePage administration expects to announce a nominee for adjutant general in time for the Legislature’s summer confirmation session.

LePage also announced five names who will serve as the selection committee for the next adjutant general. They are Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass, Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Morris, William Dubord, a retired colonel in the Maine Army National Guard, Gil Pelletier, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and Maine Army National Guard, and Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty, who also is a retired command sergeant major in the Maine Army National Guard.

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