AUGUSTA ( AP) — The leader of the Maine National Guard is now a brigadier general.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday officially promoted Col. Douglas Farnham, who last month became Maine’s adjutant general and commissioner of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.

In announcing the promotion, LePage said Wednesday that Farnham has served the country for 30 years, “and I thank him for his dedication and leadership.”

Farnham previously served as wing commander of the Maine National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor. He is a graduate of Brewer High School and the Air Force Academy.

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