Ward up

The Salvation Army of Odessa is undergoing a "changing of the guards" as Jay and Michele Ward step out and Maj. Carl Hughes steps in.

The Wards have been promoted to lieutenant from sergeant and have been reassigned to Salvation Army's 135-bed Adult Rehabilitation Center in Miami.

"My wife and I were hoping to stay in Odessa for five years, so we're disappointed in that regard," Ward said. "At the same time, we're going to go where they tell us."

Taking Ward's place will be Hughes, a former Odessan, who comes from the Salvation Army College for Officer Training in Atlanta, Ga.

"I think he'll be fine - he's financially oriented," Ward said. "I think he'll do well."

Hughes is a graduate of the former Ector High School and attended Odessa College.

"It's a little unusual for that to happen," Hughes said. "You just don't normally go home."

Hughes grew up in the Permian Basin and worked shortly for KOSA-TV, KMID-TV and the Odessa American.

Hughes said he's happy to be returning to Texas.

"I'm just excited to come back to Texas," he said. "I'm a Texan through and through."

In Miami, Ward and his wife will supervise five Salvation Army Thrift Stores in Dade County.

"I'm excited - I'm nervous," Ward said. "This is bigger than anything I've done before."