Washington, D.C. —The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is announcing the appointment of Chris Toth as its new executive director following the U.S. Senate confirmation of Jim McPherson to serve as general counsel to the U.S. Department of the Army. The leadership transition was effective December 23.
McPherson served as NAAG executive director for almost 10 years. He is a retired two-star Rear Admiral and a former U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General. Toth has worked for NAAG for 13 years as its deputy executive director. In 2007, he established and has since directed the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute (NAGTRI), a NAAG branch, which conducts more than 110 legal trainings each year. He is a former prosecutor and a retired Army reserve officer.
“Chris Toth will continue the strong leadership that state and territory attorneys general expect and require from our national association,” said NAAG President and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. “His background in law and public service make Chris well-suited to build on the strong foundation that is in place and to assist state and territory attorneys general in working together in our shared purposes.”
Attorney General Schmidt also expressed NAAG’s appreciation for Jim McPherson’s service to the organization.
“We are truly grateful for the exceptional service Jim McPherson provided to the National Association of Attorneys General,” Schmidt said. “He has left our organization stronger than he found it and has helped all of us — regardless of region, political party or areas of interest — work together to achieve common objectives. We will miss him, and we wish Jim well in his new role serving our country.”
The 12-member NAAG executive committee, chaired by Attorney General Schmidt, selects the NAAG executive director. The executive director’s duties include furthering the organization’s vision and strategic plan; overseeing the association’s financial planning, budgeting and management; and serving as a liaison to government agencies, elected officials, government associations and community groups and leaders.
NAAG is in its 110th year serving the state and territory attorneys general and their staff. Its mission is to assist the attorneys general in the delivery of outstanding legal services to the people of their states and territories.
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