Jim Butterworth was appointed Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency by Governor Nathan Deal in January 2015.

[6] Previously, Butterworth served as the adjutant general (TAG) of the Georgia National Guard.

One complaint was substantiated for improperly using Blackhawk helicopters to deliver a game ball to his former high school.

In April 2015, the State of Georgia settled a whistleblower lawsuit filed against him for ethical misconduct.

[11] Butterworth previously served as the chairman of the Habersham County, Georgia[citation needed]