Lee E. Tafanelli (born March 3, 1961) is an American National Guardsman who, serving as the Adjutant General of Kansas from 2011 to 2020. He is a former Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 47th district.

Lee Tafanelli
Tafanelli as Adjutant General
Adjutant General of Kansas
In office
January 28, 2011 – April 2, 2020
Preceded byTod Bunting
Succeeded byDavid Weishaar
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 47th district
In office
January 9, 2006 – January 10, 2011
Preceded byJoann Flower
Succeeded byRamon Gonzalez Jr.
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 2004
Preceded byJoann Flower
Succeeded byJoann Flower
Personal details
Born (1961-03-09) March 9, 1961 (age 63)[1]
Capaldo, Kansas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTammy
Residence(s)Ozawkie, Kansas, U.S.
Alma materPittsburg State University
Kansas State University
United States Army War College
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service Kansas Army National Guard
Years of service1980–present
Rank Major general

Career

edit

Politics

edit

Tafanelli was a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 47th district. He first served from 2001 to 2004. Following a yearlong deployment in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served from 2006 until his resignation January 10, 2011, when he was appointed Adjutant General of Kansas by Governor Sam Brownback.

Committee membership

edit
  • Transportation and Public Safety Budget (Chair)
  • Appropriations
  • Vision 2020
  • Veterans, Military and Homeland Security
  • Joint Committee on Kansas Security

Major donors

edit

The top 5 donors to Tafanelli's 2008 campaign:[2]

  • 1. Tafanelli, Lee $1,750
  • 2. Koch Industries $1,000
  • 3. Kansas Medical Society $1000
  • 4. Kansas Contractors Association $1000
  • 5. Wal-Mart $900

Military

edit

On January 28, 2011, Tafanelli was sworn in as the Adjutant General of Kansas, the military commander of the Kansas National Guard, and was promoted to major general. Previously he served as assistant adjutant general-Army, Kansas Army National Guard.

Tafanelli joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1980 and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers through Army ROTC at Pittsburg State University in 1982.

While serving as commander of the 891st Engineer Battalion, he led the battalion on its deployment to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. Later, he commanded the 69th Troop Command and was director of operations for the Kansas National Guard.

Tafanelli has served at the Department of the Army level, as military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Lee Tafanelli". www.publicbackgroundchecks.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  2. ^ Follow the Money – 2008 Campaign Contributions
  3. ^ "TAG Biography". KANSAS ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
edit
Military offices
Preceded by Adjutant General of Kansas
January 28, 2011 – April 2, 2020
Incumbent