David B. Poythress (October 24, 1943 – January 15, 2017) was an American public official and senior military officer from the state of Georgia. Born in Bibb County, he served in a variety of state roles over several decades and retired from the Georgia National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant General. Poythress's career combined civilian statewide officeholding with long service in the National Guard.

Public offices and military leadership

Poythress held statewide elected and appointed positions, including terms as Georgia's Secretary of State and as Commissioner of Labor. Later he served as the Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard from 1999 until 2007. The adjutant general is the senior military official in a state's National Guard, responsible for training, administration and preparedness of Army and Air Guard units and for advising the governor on military matters.

Appointment and tenure

He was initially appointed Adjutant General by Governor Roy Barnes and was reappointed by Governor Sonny Perdue, reflecting bipartisan confidence in his leadership. His period as adjutant general encompassed years of heightened operational demand for reserve and guard forces nationwide, and he led the Georgia National Guard through organizational and readiness challenges typical of that era.

Roles and responsibilities

  • Secretary of State (state office): Oversight of state administrative functions tied to business services, records, and certain regulatory tasks.
  • Commissioner of Labor: Management of workforce programs, unemployment services and labor-related enforcement at the state level.
  • Adjutant General: Senior military manager for the state's National Guard, accountable for operations, training and state-federal coordination.

Poythress combined political experience with military command, a background that informed his approach to organizing personnel, coordinating with civilian authorities, and shaping readiness policies for state military forces.

Legacy and death

David Poythress retired as a Lieutenant General and remained a notable figure in Georgia public life. He died on January 15, 2017 in Cartersville, Georgia, at age 73. His career is often cited as an example of service that bridged elected office and senior military leadership in state government. For further background on the locations and offices associated with his life, see county and state resources such as Georgia-focused reference pages.

Those researching Poythress may consult official state archives, National Guard historical summaries and local news accounts for detailed timelines and records of his initiatives and actions while in office.