RICHMOND, Va. — Col. Toni M. Lord was promoted to brigadier general May 7, 2019, at the Virginia National Guard Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced April 18, 2019, that Lord would be promoted and assume new duties as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air Strategic Initiatives.
Lord most recently served as the director of staff for the Virginia Air National Guard, where she was responsible for the establishment of command and control policy for more than 1,200 Virginia Air National Guard Airmen.
“Please join me in congratulating Brig. Gen. Toni Lord on her promotion and assignment,” Williams wrote in the announcement. “Brig. Gen. Lord brings 35 years of experience, both active and reserve, including prior enlisted service and Virginia Army National Guard time. Toni has served in numerous command and staff positions, including 192nd Support Squadron Commander, 192nd Mission Support Group Deputy and Commander, and Director of Staff for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Virginia.
“Toni offers a record of excellence and selfless service to our commonwealth and nation. She has my full confidence, and I look forward to working together to propel our Airmen toward achieving several critical objectives in the coming months and years.”
During the ceremony, Lord’s star was pinned on first by senior Air Guard enlisted leaders, and then by her husband and son. After the promotion order was read and stars pinned, Williams re-administered Lord’s oath of office. Afterward, Lord addressed those in attendance and thanked them, giving special thanks to her staff.
“To my air staff – you are an amazing team. Thanks for keeping us moving in a positive direction,” said Lord. “Even with my 35 years of experience, I walk into the office and I’m just floored by your experiences and vast knowledge you teach me with every day. Thank you all.”
Lord also took a moment to reflect on those who have helped her over her long career.
“I want to take a moment to talk about mentorship, and how I received it throughout the years,” said Lord. “No one goes it alone. We are who we are, from the decisions we make based on the people we come into contact with everyday.”
The newly-promoted general officer cited her family, including her late parents, among those whose mentorship molded her as a leader. Then she addressed those in uniform.
“For all the military members – from E-1 to O-9 – here, and in my past, I have learned so much from you,” said Lord. “The key is to listen, and always help members in order to keep this military force strong. I have and always will live by our core values in the Airman’s creed. I will never stop growing and learning. I will always strive to do what is right, by taking care of the persons that accomplish the mission.
“So, thanks to you, past present and future, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Please know I am here for you.”
Lord has more than 35 years of active and reserve military service as both a commissioned officer and enlisted.
She served six years active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a precision measurement equipment laboratory specialist in Alaska, Australia and Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. In 1988, she left active duty and entered the Virginia Army National Guard for three years as a flight operations specialist. In 1991, she transferred to the Virginia Air National Guard as a resource operations specialist, where she received her commission in 1998 at the Academy of Military Science and was appointed the personnel officer for the Virginia State Headquarters.
During her career she served in many personnel assignments. At United State Joint Forces Command Joint Warfighter Center from 2003 to 2012, she supported numerous global real-world requirements, exercises and events. From 2012 to 2017, prior to transferring to JFHQ, she served in multiple support positions.
She commanded the 192nd Mission Support Group Commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis with the group having operation control over the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron, the 192nd Supply Chain Management Squadron, the 192nd Security Forces Squadron and the 192nd Support Squadron.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1991, an Associates in Electronic Systems at the Community College of the Air Force in 1992 and Associates in Resource Management at the Community College of the Air Force in 1994. She earned a Master of Business Administration in Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a graduate of Squadron Officer School Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College.
Her awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one device and their Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices.