Mo. National Guard leader to chair national group

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The top official of the Missouri National Guard has been chosen to chair the National Guard Association of the United States.

Missouri Adjutant Gen. Stephen Danner previously served on the governing board of the 45,000-member association.

The organization represents state national guards in Washington and seeks to get better equipment and training by working with Congress on the needs of militias.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Danner adjutant general in 2009. He's also a lawyer and a former member of the state Legislature.