Lansing, Mich. - Brig. Gen. Michael C. McDaniel, homeland security advisor to Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and assistant adjutant general of Homeland Security for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, has been selected by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices to serve on the national executive committee of the 2008-2009 Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC). The East Lansing resident and Michigan Army National Guard general also served on the executive committee in 2006.

McDaniel was appointed by Granholm February 2003 and serves as the homeland security liaison between the governor's office and federal, state and local agencies. He is responsible for developing statewide policy and coordinating the development of training.

"It's a great day for Michigan and for our nation to have the leadership and talent of Mike McDaniel on the executive committee of NGA's Homeland Security Advisors Council," said Gov. Granholm. "Mike is an excellent choice to advise me and my fellow governors on issues that are critical to our nation."

As Michigan's assistant adjutant general for Homeland Security, McDaniel oversees more than 700 Guardsmen and volunteers who serve as "first responders" for the Michigan National Guard. Under his direction, the Homeland Security Directorate has been instrumental in developing and executing several high level multi-jurisdictional exercises with local, state and federal agencies and significantly enhancing homeland security preparedness throughout the state. Most recently, Homeland Security hosted a cross-border table top exercise between the United States (Michigan) and Canada (Ontario) in an effort to strengthen operational capabilities to respond to and recover from incidents that might impact interdependent critical infrastructure.

The GHSAC's executive committee will be chaired by Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, adjutant general for the state of Washington and homeland security advisor to Gov. Christine Gregoire. Matthew Bettenhausen, homeland security advisor to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will serve as the GHSAC vice chairman. Other members of the 2008-2009 GHSAC executive committee include Rick Eaton, Homeland Security advisor to Nev. Gov. Jim Gibbons; Tim Manning, Homeland Security advisor to N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson; Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, Homeland Security advisor to Neb. Gov. Dave Heineman; Secretary James W. Spears, Homeland Security advisor to W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin III; and James Walker, Homeland Security advisor to Ala. Gov. Bob Riley.

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