The Kansas Highway Patrol is getting a new leader this week.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced last week that she has promoted Lt. Col. Terry Maple, the patrol’s assistant superintendent, to colonel and superintendent. He will replace Col. William Seck, who is stepping down Friday.

Seck is giving up the job after nearly five years so that he and his wife can help take care of her aging parents in Oklahoma. Both Sebelius and Maple said Seck is leaving the patrol in good shape, and Maple said he plans no major changes.

The patrol has a budget of about $96 million and almost 900 employees.