(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman says he hopes to have a new adjutant general in place for the Nebraska National Guard by mid-July.

Heineman said Tuesday that a screening panel will likely name two to four finalists for the job by the end of June, so the change-of-command can be made in July.

The chosen finalist will replace outgoing Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, who is taking a new job as deputy director of the U.S. Army National Guard in Arlington, Va.

The 50-year-old Lyons is Nebraska’s 32nd adjutant general. He assumed command of the Nebraska National Guard in August 2009.

The adjutant general serves as the senior uniformed officer responsible for leading nearly 4,700 Army and Air National Guard personnel in Nebraska. The position is part of the governor’s cabinet.