Colorado Governor Jared Polis Monday announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Robert Davis to lead Colorado’s National Guard as the state’s adjutant general.

Davis currently serves as the deputy director of the U.S. Army National Guard. His appointment follows Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan’s announcement in August that she will retire in October after serving as adjutant general since 2020.

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“As Executive Director of our state’s Department of Military and Veterans affairs, General Davis will continue the work to make Colorado the best state for active duty military and for veterans — building on efforts like the tuition waiver for National Guard members, recognizing Colorado schools that support military-connected students and their families, mental health support for military families, and ensuring children with disabilities in military families can choose the school that fits them best,” Polis said in a statement.

Davis has held various leadership positions within the Colorado National Guard and the U.S. Army National Guard. Most recently, Davis was the assistant director and chief of staff of the Army National Guard, overseeing policies for Guard units in 54 states and territories. In the private sector, Davis was vice president of Boulder-based phone accessory company PopSockets.

Clellan is the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to lead the Colorado National Guard.

“I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of the incredible men and women of the Colorado National Guard and the department, and I am grateful for the unwavering support of Governor Polis and the people of Colorado,” Clellan said in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence that Major General Robert Davis is the right person to take the reins. His distinguished career and deep commitment to service make him exceptionally well-suited for this critical role, and I know he will lead the CONG with the same dedication and integrity that has defined his career.”