AUGUSTA, Maine - The head of the Maine National Guard is stepping down.

In a statement, Governor Paul LePage says Major General John "Bill" Libby will be leaving his post on March 16.  He's led Maine's National Guard for the last 8 years, and has been a Guard member since 1975. 

No reason was given for Libby's resignation.  Libby was scheduled to address a joint session of the legislature last week but had to cancel to attend to a family emergency. 

The Governor says he'll name an acting Commissioner in the coming weeks, and he hopes to have a nominee to present to the legislature for confirmation by this summer.