FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- U.S. Army North said farewell to its battalion commander and welcomed a new battalion command team June 25 as the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion held a combined change of command and change of responsibility ceremony at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center.
Lt. Col. Zoltan Krompecher relinquished command of the battalion to Lt. Col. Stephen Fabiano. Also during the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Daren Warren assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted leader for the battalion.
Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the commanding general of U.S. Army North and senior commander for Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, said the change of command was bittersweet.
"'Z' (Zoltan Krompecher) was the first Army North battalion commander to be command selected for this assignment," said Wiggins, who went on to praise Krompecher's leadership skills as he managed a battalion spread throughout the United States.
"Army North is a different beast," he said. "We have a very mature population, which brings great abilities to the table, but also brings great challenges."
Due to the scope of the Army North mission, portions of the unit are spread across the country. In addition to the Soldiers and Civilians at Fort Sam Houston, the battalion is also responsible for the defense coordinating elements assigned to the ten Federal Emergency Management Agency regions in the continental United States and Puerto Rico.
After relinquishing command, Krompecher thanked the Soldiers and Civilians of Army North for allowing him the opportunity to serve them.
"It's been an absolute honor and privilege to serve the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of Army North over the past two years," said Krompecher. "We have been proud to have been part of this great battalion and assist with its unique mission to serve and protect our Homeland.
"Twenty-nine years ago Drill Sgt. Posey taught me the simple formula on how to Soldier: be in the right place at the right time, wear the right uniform and have the right attitude. Nothing has changed since then," said Krompecher, who is departing Fort Sam Houston to attend the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Fabiano received his commission as an infantry officer after graduating from West Point in 1997. After serving in a variety of different infantry assignments, he transferred to the logistics corps in 2003. His most recent assignment was as a staff officer for the U.S. Army NATO Brigade in Sembach, Germany.
Warren joined the Army in 1986 as an automated logistical specialist and has served in every level of NCO leadership from squad leader to battalion command sergeant major. Most recently he served as the logistics sergeant major for the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Warren replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Alvin Chaplin, who departed Army North in May to become the senior enlisted leader for the Army Chaplain Corps.
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