GEMA director Charley English to step down

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that Georgia Emergency Management Agency Director Charley English is stepping down.

Sources told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that English has been reassigned as deputy director at GEMA. English will be replaced by the National Guard's adjutant general, Jim Butterworth, who will begin his new role in January.

http://twitter.com/MarkWinneWSB/status/536991223073214464

English was head of GEMA during the first winter storm in January 2014 that caused massive gridlock throughout metro Atlanta. He was highly criticized for his response to the storm, which left thousands of students stranded and nearly every metro Atlanta family affected.

Despite the backlash, a metro Atlanta fire and emergency services chief says English has long been well-respected in public safety circles.

Sources said the head of Georgia Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, is set to become the new adjutant general, the top commander over both the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

WSBTV