Col. James W. Ring has been named to succeed Brig. Gen. Paul F. Griffin as the Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff and will be promoted to brigadier general, according to an announcement made May 1, 2018, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Griffin will transition to a traditional Guard status and retire later this year after more than 30 years of service. Ring currently serves as the Virginia Army National Guard Chief of Staff, and his effective date as the Director of the Joint Staff is May 5.