Topeka ? A former legislator and longtime member of the Kansas National Guard officially has taken his oath of office as the next adjutant general.

On Friday, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback pinned two stars on Lee Tafanelli, signifying his rank of major general. Tafanelli is a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives. He was appointed by Brownback to be adjutant general as he formed his new Cabinet.

Tafanelli, of Ozawkie, has been in the Kansas Army National Guard since 1980 and served as commander of a combat engineer battalion that deployed to Iraq in 2005.

Recently he served as assistant adjutant general for the Army National Guard under Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, who retired Jan. 8.

Tafanelli also will serve as state director of emergency management and director of homeland security.