Topeka ? Col. Lee Tafanelli will officially take his post this weekend as assistant adjutant general of the Kansas Army National Guard.

Tafanelli, who also serves in the Kansas House from Ozawkie, will assume command during a ceremony Saturday at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard south of Topeka.

He has been nominated for promotion to the rank of brigadier general, subject to confirmation later this year by the U.S. Senate and Kansas Senate.

Tafanelli replaces Brig. Gen. John Davoren, who is stepping down to take command of the 35th Infantry Division based at Fort Leavenworth.

Tafanelli joined the Kansas National Guard in 1980 and was commissioned a second lieutenant through Pittsburg State University.