South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Monday that Judge Jeff Young has been named Chief Deputy Attorney General.

The appointment will become official on Aug. 1., when Young will replace Robert Bolchoz, who is returning to private practice. Bolchoz previously ran for S.C. Attorney General and Columbia City Council.

“This is a great honor and it’s probably the only position in state government that could pull me out of retirement,” Young said in a news release. “I could not pass up an opportunity to work with people of this caliber.”

Young has been a circuit court judge at-large since February 2009. He served as a family court judge from 2004-09.

Prior to that, Young served in the SC House, representing his native Sumter from 1995-98, and again from 2001-02.

He’s a 1977 graduate of The Citadel and got his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1984. He also served in the U.S. Air Force (active and reserve) from 1977-2007, including four missions to Iraq, and retired as a Lt. Colonel.

“As someone who has legislated in the House, ruled from the bench, and served in a combat zone, Judge Young has a passion for public service that has me excited about the work we’ll be able to do together to serve the people of South Carolina,” Wilson said in a news release.

Young and his wife Sharon have one daughter, Betsy, and three sons, Will, Robert, and Greyson, and two grandchildren.