General John Abizaid is one of Nevada's Newest Residents

Governor Gibbons met with a distinguished general who has become one of Nevada’s newest residents, General John Abizaid, until recently commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East.

From left to right: Haleva, Governor Gibbons, General Abizaid, Cobb.

The Governor was joined in that meeting with Jerry Haleva, who has enjoyed a movie career playing Saddam Hussein.  Haleva is also an expert on California politics and owner of the governmental consulting firm Sergeant Major Associates.  Also present was Reno resident Dr. Tyrus W. Cobb, civilian assistant to the Secretary of the Army for Nevada and former special assistant to President Reagan for national security affairs. 

General Abizaid commanded CENTCOM from 2003 until March 2007, when he retired from the U.S. Army.  Upon retirement, he has chosen to become a Nevadan.  The general now lives in Gardnerville, near his childhood home of Coleville, California.  Governor Gibbons thanked General Abizaid for his career of service to Americans and congratulated him on his decision to return to northern Nevada.

After this photograph was taken inside the governor’s office, Governor Gibbons and First Lady Dawn Gibbons hosted dinner for the trio at the Governor’s Mansion.  Dinner conversation ranged from national security and the likely course of the Global War on Terror to the political relationship between Nevada and California.

Brent Boynton, Communications Director for Governor Jim Gibbons said, "It was a private meeting and we didn’t issue a press release at the time, but the unlikely pairing of the former top commander of our forces in Iraq with the man who became known to moviegoers as Saddam Hussein seemed worth sharing the photo."

We welcome General Abizaid to Nevada.

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