Major General Robert Livingston, The Adjutant General, announced the appointment of George H. McKinney II as the new Director of the agency’s Emergency Management Division, effective July 18, 2011.
McKinney has been with SCEMD since September, 2010, serving as a Regional Coordinator before being promoted to manager of the Division’s Fixed Nuclear Facilities section, ensuring the development and execution of nuclear response plans, training and exercises are effective. As FNF Manager, McKinney has served as the liaison officer and point of contact between other state agencies with radiological responsibilities, nuclear program managers, the Department of Energy, the Southern States Energy Board, FEMA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other agencies related to nuclear programs.
As Greenwood County Public Safety Division Director, McKinney served as the senior manager for four county agencies including Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services, Radio Communications and Volunteer Fire. While in Greenwood, McKinney developed, implemented and improved the standard operating guidelines for the division. This coordination with local, state and federal officials produced Greenwood County Emergency Operations Plan and the Emergency Action Plan for the county’s lake dam.

As a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, McKinney served as the Intelligence and Force Protection Manager. Responsibilities included the coordination and management of Force Protection and Intelligence matters supporting 16 Regional Battalions of over 9500 personnel supporting 142 installations in 27 states in support of Operations Air Force Security Augmentation and Noble Eagle. As Combat Training Center Project Manager, he coordinated and implemented the National Guard’s Combat Training Center Training Strategy for Enhanced Separate Brigades. This training strategy focused on a comprehensive train-up plan of the 24th Infantry Division units, conducting routine interaction and coordination with the National Guard Bureau, 1st US Army, State Task Force officials, State Adjutant General’s, 24th Infantry Division personnel and Combat Training Center staff to facilitate effective and efficient home station training, pre-mobilization,
Combat Training Center rotation and post-mobilization training and deployment plans. Additionally, as Senior Project Manager, he developed the overall plan and managed a 24 million dollar project that involved over 6700 personnel and 25 states. This plan identified and tracked resources, developed time lines for events and tracked the status of each event.
A graduate of Erskine College, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Military Science.
“I have no doubt George will perform his duties with the professionalism and dedication that he has brought to bear throughout his distinguished military career. I’m looking forward to working with him to insure that we are prepared to respond to state and national level emergencies,” Maj. Gen. Livingston said.