Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday named an ex-military officer as central services director, replacing Pam Warren, who announced her retirement.

John S. Richard, a retired Army colonel, is a 53-year-old Lawton native who now lives in Oklahoma City. In three decades of military service, Richard held a number of leadership positions, including secretary to the general staff of the U.S. Army in Europe and deputy chief of staff, personnel, of the Army in the Balkans. Most recently, he was inspector general of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard. He retired from military service in September.