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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced that she has appointed Brigadier General Paul W. Schneider to serve as the Adjutant General of Kansas. The vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of Adjutant General Michael Venerdi.

“I am confident that Brigadier General Schneider’s expertise and experience will serve Kansans well and continue our state’s legacy of training and supporting our highly skilled servicemembers and their families,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I want to thank Major General Venerdi for his leadership as Adjutant General over the last three years. I appreciate his many years of service to Kansas and our nation. I wish him well in his retirement.”

Major General Venerdi was installed as the 38^th Kansas adjutant general in a Transfer of Authority ceremony on April 1, 2023. As adjutant general, he has led the more than 7,000 soldiers and airmen of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard and served as the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and Director of Emergency Management for the State of Kansas.

“I want to thank Governor Kelly for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the 38^th Kansas Adjutant General; it has been an incredible honor,” Major General Michael Venerdi said.

Brigadier General Schneider currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Kansas National Guard. He was appointed to this position on April 15, 2023. He has a long background of military service which includes serving as the Kansas Army National Guard’s Director of Personnel/G1 and as Chief of Staff for the Kansas Army National Guard. He is highly decorated, having earned numerous awards during his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and more.

“I am humbled and honored by the trust and confidence that Governor Kelly has placed in me to continue serving alongside the Soldiers, Airmen, and Civilians that comprise the Adjutant General’s Department,” Brigadier General Paul Schneider said. “I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Major General Venerdi for his inspirational leadership and offer my best wishes to him and his family as he retires.”

Brigadier General Schneider earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University, a Master of Arts degree in Information Technology Management from Webster University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is also a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

Brigadier General Schneider will immediately serve in acting status until he is confirmed by the Kansas Senate.

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