Major General (Retired) Stanhope Spears, the former Adjutant General of South Carolina, is a Senior Consultant with the American Business Development Group, an internationally respected, full-spectrum business development consulting firm, now representing a diverse list of over fifty prominent U.S. and international businesses. American Business Development Group enjoys a reputation as the largest business development firm in the United States which specializes in the re-equipping and modernization of the United States Armed Forces.
General Spears’ thirty-eight year military career culminated in fifteen years of service as The Adjutant General of the State of South Carolina. The Adjutant General of South Carolina is an elected Constitutional Officer within the State and serves as the head of the Military Department; administering the affairs of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Preparedness Division, and the State Guard.
While commissioned and assessed into the Armor Branch, General Spears commanded at all tactical levels up through Battalion. His last tactical assignment was as the Commander of 4/118 IN. Following Battalion Command, General Spears commanded at the State Area Command (STARC) level before becoming the Assistant Adjutant General.
He was first elected The Adjutant General in 1995 and assumed Command of the South Carolina National Guard in January of 1995.
Over the years General Spears reputation as a national leader and recognized expert in the fields of Homeland Security, simulations based training and hurricane preparedness has become unparalleled. An untiring advocate for the role of the Citizen Soldier in our society, he and his wife Dot remain champions of the soldier and their families and are the unofficial “Godparents” of the National Guard family.