RICHMOND, Va. — Col. James Zollar was promoted to brigadier general May 7, 2020, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia and succeeds Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher as the VNG’s Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced Zollar’s selection May 1, and the effective date of assignment was April 15.
“James’s depth of experience at different levels of command and most recently as Army Chief of Staff have prepared him for this position of increased responsibility,” Williams wrote in the announcement. “He is a proven leader that will undoubtedly continue to excel.”
Zollar began his military service in 1984 at Fort Lewis, Washington, as an indirect fire infantryman, and he was commissioned in 1990 as an infantry second lieutenant through the Virginia Commonwealth University Reserve Officer Training Program. He also served as a military intelligence and engineer officer and has served in staff positions at the battalion, brigade, Virginia Army National Guard Staff, and Virginia National Guard Joint Staff levels. He commanded the 276th Engineer Battalion during the unit’s 2008-2009 federal active duty mobilization to Afghanistan and the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute. He is a graduate of the United States Army War College with a Master’s degree in strategic Studies.