Bardstown man named head of state division of emergency management

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, March 31, 2008, 3:45 p.m. - Brigadier General Joseph “Lonnie” Culver was named Friday the interim Director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.

The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KY EM) consists of offices in each of the state's 14 districts, which provide support to the Emergency Management officials in each county.

KY Emergency Management conducts training programs that include the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, Earthquake, Mitigation, Search and Rescue, Training, and Amber Alert. The division also offers public assistance in time of disaster.

According to a KY EM press release, Culver has served in the Kentucky Army National Guard for 34 years. Since Jan. 1, 2005, he has served as Assistant Division Commander Maneuver, 38th Infantry Division and as Deputy Adjutant General in the Kentucky National Guard.

According to a press release from KY National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Culver will continue to serve as Deputy Adjutant General of the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Culver was commissioned 10 June 1979. He is a career National Guardsman who has served at both the enlisted and officer levels. He was mobilized for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Hurricane Katrina Relief operations.

General Culver's accomplishments range from being the distinguished graduate at Officer Candidate School to Commanding at Battery, Battalion, and Brigade levels for more than eight years.

Culver lives in Bardstown with his wife, Faye, and has two daughters, Melissa and Jessica.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Maxwell "Clay" Bailey announced his retirement for personal reasons on Friday.

The KY EM director's position has largely been a political appointment in recent years. Outgoing director Bailey was first appointed a member of Gov. Ernie Fltecher's cabinet in 2003 as Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. In March 2005, Bailey resigned his cabinet post in order to accept the job as KY EM director.

Bailey retired from the Air Force in 2002.