Guinn names new homeland security chief

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 11 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named Adjutant General Giles Vanderhoof as the state's homeland security administrator and slimmed down the Homeland Security Commission.

Vanderhoof will continue as adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard and at his present salary of $93,130. Ten other states have the same arrangement where a single person holds both jobs, the governor said.

Guinn said Vanderhoof has a strong sense of duty and a strong military background. He also has the ability to work with a host of other agencies, the governor said.

Vanderhoof will succeed state Director of Public Safety George Togliatti, who was acting director and who replaced Jerry Bussell. Before he resigned, Bussell earned more than $100,000 a year.

Vanderhoof, 63, has been adjutant general since January 2001. He has been in the National Guard for 45 years.

Guinn also said Dale M. Carrison, emergency medicine director at University Medical Center, will be chairman of the Homeland Security Commission, which has been reduced from 24 members to 16 members.