NY Army National Guard Recruiting Command Changes leaders Friday, Dec. 2 in Troy

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Lt. Col. Brian Hyer

TROY, NY (12/01/2016)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Brian Hyer, a Stillwater resident, will take command of the New York Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion during a ceremony at the South Lake Street Armory here on Friday morning, Dec. 2.

Hyer replaces Lt. Col. James Gonyo who will become the New York Army National Guard's logistics director.

WHO: Lt. Col. Brian Hyer, the incoming commander; Lt. Col. James Gonyo, the outgoing commander and Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, the Assistant Adjutant General for Army, the presiding officer.

WHAT: Traditional military change of command ceremony in which the outgoing commander transfers the flag, or colors, of the unit to the incoming commander, which signifies the change of authority and responsibility for the unit. Hyer will be promoted from Major to Lt. Col. Prior to the change of command.

WHEN: 10:45 a.m., Friday, Dec. 2, 2016

WHERE: 99 South Lake Avenue, Troy

Coverage opportunities:

Interviews with the incoming and outgoing commanders and video and still imagery of the change of command ceremony.

For access to this secure military facility members of the press must call Major Joshua Heimroth at 518 390 9583.

BACKGROUND

Lt. Col. Brian Hyer:

Lt. Col. Brian Hyer was commissioned in 1995 through Canisus College ROTC in Buffalo, NY where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon commissioning Hyer served on Active Duty with the 1st Cavalry Division as a Platoon Leader and Adjutant. Upon joining the New York Army National Guard, Hyer served with the 1st Battalion 101 Cavalry, and the 1st Battalion 127th Armor, as a Company executive officer and company commander.

Hyer also served as Canisus College recruiting operations officer and as officer strength manager, recruiting company commander, recruiting battalion operations officer and recruiting battalion executive officer. He has also served as deputy operations officer for the 42nd Infantry Division.

Hyer holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master's of Science in Education from Canisus College.

Hyer has completed the Armory Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army's Combined Arms and Staff Services School and the Army's Intermediate Level Education program for officers.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He and his wife Heather live in Stillwater, N.Y.

Lt. Col. James Gonyo

LTC James Gonyo enlisted in B Co 3rd Battalion 108th Infantry in 1991 and was commissioned in 1995 through the Officer Candidate School program at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He has served in a variety of leadership, command and staff assignments.

Gonyo has completed a number of military training programs and is a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

Gonyo's decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal , and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Gonyo is a 1990 graduate from Clinton Community College, Plattsburgh, New York, receiving an Associate of Science in Business Administration / Accounting and also a 1993 graduate of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology / Criminology.

Gonyo is married to the former Karen Fitzgerald of Cornwall, New York. He and his wife have three children (Brendan, Meghan and Hunter) and reside in New Windsor, New York.