New adjutant general named by Gibbons

CARSON CITY -- William Burks, a brigadier general in the Nevada National Guard, was named the state's adjutant general Tuesday by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Burks, of Reno, replaces Maj. Gen. Cynthia Kirkland, who was named in 2005 by then-Gov. Kenny Guinn as the state's first female adjutant general and only the third in the nation at the time. She retired after 31 years of military service.

Burks' military honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Gibbons said.

The adjutant general is the military chief of staff to the governor and is responsible for the federal and state missions of the 3,000-plus Nevada National Guard members.