Topeka ? The Kansas adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, has selected Col. Lee Tafanelli as the next assistant adjutant general for the Army National Guard and commander of the Kansas Army National Guard.

Tafanelli will assume command from Brig. Gen. John Davoren, who is stepping down from that position to take command of the 35th Infantry Division, Fort Leavenworth.

“Colonel Tafanelli has the experience and knowledge necessary to do a superb job in this new role,” Bunting said. “He has held many leadership positions in the Kansas Guard, has worked hard on behalf of the soldiers he leads, and has the right skills to lead the Army Guard through the transformations the future will require.”

Tafanelli is also a Republican state representative from Ozawkie. He will not have to give up his legislative position.