Governor-Elect Selects Sehorn To Serve As State's First Inspector General

Atlanta - Governor-Elect Sonny Perdue has selected Brigadier General James E. Sehorn, United States Air Force (Retired), to serve as the state's first Inspector General.

"General Sehorn has signed on for another tour of duty and the people of Georgia will be the beneficiaries of his service," said Perdue. "As we build the New Georgia, it will take good men and women of the highest integrity to lead the way, and I am pleased that the general has joined our team. His deliberate, straight-forward style makes him an excellent choice for our first IG."

The Office of Inspector General will be charged with fostering and promoting accountability and integrity in state government, while rooting out the compromising fraud and abuses that damage the trust between Georgia citizens and their public officials. The IG will take a hands-on approach, aggressively probing all corners of state government, conducting thorough inspections of departments and agencies. The IG's office will also serve as a clearinghouse for information, passing complaints on to appropriate authorities and following up on resultant investigations. The IG will report directly to the governor on his efforts to produce a more efficient, cost effective government operation.

Sehorn began his Air Force Career in 1963 by attending pilot training. After an assignment with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing in England, he volunteered for duty in South East Asia. On December 14, 1967, the general was shot down over North Viet Nam. He was a prisoner of war for 63 months before being released on March 14, 1973. Upon his return to the United States, General Sehorn continued his active duty at Travis Air Force Base, California. He joined the Air Force Reserves in September of 1976, rising through the ranks and retiring as director of operations in September 1992. General Sehorn's distinguished career garnered many awards and decorations including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

"I want to thank the Governor-elect for the opportunity to serve the people of Georgia," said General Sehorn. "Ethics and integrity will be a keystone in his administration and it is a privilege to work with a man committed to upholding these values."

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James E Sehorn

Brigadier General United States Air Force, (Retired)

General Sehorn was born June 18, 1940 in Forest Grove, Oregon. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University in 1963, and a master of science in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University in 1984. He completed Air Command and Staff College by correspondence in 1983, and Air War College in residence in 1984.

The general began his Air Force career in 1963, by attending pilot training. Upon graduating from flight training in 1964, he attended combat crew training in the F-100 Super Sabre. His first operational assignment was to the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Wethersfield, UK. From there, he volunteered for duty in Southeast Asia. He was selected for duty and assigned to Royal Thai Air Base Korat in Thailand. On 14 December 1967, the general was shot down over Viet Nam. After 63 months as a prisoner of war, he was released 14 March 1973.

After his return to the United States in 1973, General Sehorn completed C-141 Starlifter technical training and continued his active-duty career at Travis Air Force Base, CA. In September 1976, he joined the Air Force Reserve's 445th Military Airlift Wing (Associate) at Norton Air Force Base, California, flying the C-141. In July 1985, he was selected as deputy commander for operations, a position he retained until May 1986 when he became commander of the 939th Aerospace Rescue Recovery Group, Portland International Airport, OR. He attended C-130 technical training school concurrent with that assignment.

In September 1987, the general was selected as the Air Force Reserve advisor to the Commander in Chief Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, IL. In February 1990, he assumed command of the 446 Military Airlift Wing (Associate), McChord Air Force Base, WA. He became commander of the 458th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, MD in December 1990. From there he was selected to be director of operations for the Air Force Reserve in September 1992. The General retired in January 1994 after 30 plus years of service to his country.

General Sehorn is a command pilot with more than 6200 flying hours in a wide variety of aircraft including fighters, airlifters, and helicopters. His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

He is married to the former Jo Hunt of Columbus, GA.


Inspector General
Mission

The Office of The Inspector General (OIG) is charged with fostering and promoting accountability and integrity in state government. Key to public trust is the expectation that the OIG will hold state officials accountable for efficient, cost effective government operations and to prevent, detect, identify, expose and eliminate fraud, waste, corruption, illegal acts and abuse. The OIG shall investigate complaints regarding management and operation of state agencies within the executive branch to determine if wrongful acts or omissions have been, or are being committed by state officers or employees. Reports of investigation shall be provided to the Governor and the department head of the agency/person under investigation. Reports will include recommendations for correcting and avoiding recurrence of circumstances uncovered by the investigation. When appropriate, reports of investigation will be forwarded for prosecutor review to determine if the underlying facts give rise to criminal prosecution.