Maj. William A. Slotter assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 214th Air Defense Artillery during a Change of Command ceremony yesterday at the Pennsylvania Guard Armory in Lehighton.

He succeeds Lt. Col. John E. Stevens, who served as battalion commander since January, 1986.

Maj. Slotter comes to Lehighton from the 111th Infantry, Norristown, and previously served as a rifle platoon leader, company commander and in S2 and S3 positions.

He said the unit currently has 305 members and his initial goal is to “take command of the few and privileged and make them darn proud and the best in the business.”

Maj. Slotter is a graduate of the Temple University School of Law.