Holley native promoted general, will lead Reservist soldiers at Fort Dix

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2018 at 8:10 am

Provided photo: Tony Piedimonte of Holley took this photo while attending the promotion ceremony for Joseph “Joey” Lestorti on July 20 in Washington, D.C. Lestorti said it is an “extreme honor” to be promoted brigadier general.

A Holley native is the new leader of several hundred Reservist soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Joseph “Joey” Lestorti was promoted to brigadier general on July 20 during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. He will lead the 78th Training Division at Fort Dix. The appointment is for three years.

The 1987 Holley graduate has served as a commissioned officer for 26 years. Lestorti started his career in 1992 as a second lieutenant infantry officer after completing the ROTC program at SUNY Brockport.

He has served on active duty in the 10th Mountain Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. He has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and held numerous Army Reserve postings.

Lestorti, in a phone interview last week, said growing up in Holley and Upstate New York provided a strong foundation for his career.

“We’re from a hearty part of the world,” he said. “It gave me a whole value set. I’m proud to represent Upstate New York.”

Lestorti works as a supervisory special agent with the State Department, assigned to anti-terrorism assistance. He said the State Department “has been extremely supportive” in his role leading the Reservist soldiers.

“It’s an extreme honor having been nominated by the Army and confirmed by the Senate,” he said. “This has been a very humbling experience and it’s a huge honor. I plan on doing the best that I can in command.”

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