Tonini begins second term as Kentucky's adjutant general

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht
  • Kentucky National Guard Director of Pubic Affairs
Gov. Steve Beshear re-appointed Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini as Kentucky's 51st adjutant general during a private swearing-in ceremony in Frankfort's Capitol rotunda Dec 13.

Pursuant to state law, the ceremony was held just past midnight, immediately after Beshear took the oath of office to begin his second four-year term as governor. Tonini also served as adjutant general during Beshear's first term, from 2007 to 2011.

Tonini has been an officer in the Kentucky Air National Guard since 1970 and is only the second blue-suiter to serve as adjutant general in state history. The other was Maj. Gen. Richard L. Frymire, who served as Kentucky's top military official from 1971 to 1977.

Prior to serving as adjutant general, Tonini was chief of public affairs and, later, chief of staff for Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard, in Frankfort, Ky.

He also served as creator and director of a Pentagon program designed to recognize the crucial support provided to military personnel by family members and civilian employers.