Topeka ? A Summerfield native has been named chief executive officer of the Kansas State Historical Society Inc., a private organization of state history fans.

Wanda Arocho replaces Ken Metzger, who resigned more than six months ago. He was the first person to take the position created in 2000 when the private organization was split off from the state-funded Kansas Historical Society.

Mary Allman is executive director of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Arocho said Tuesday she would focus on increasing membership in the society, which has about 4,000 individuals and institutions as members.

Arocho previously worked as vice president of communications and marketing for the United Way of Greater Topeka and for St. Francis Health Center.

The historical society is a partnership between the state and private citizens concerned with learning Kansas history, educating Kansans and visitors about the state’s heritage, and preserving that heritage.

The society was established more than 125 years ago and has a 102-member board of directors. Its 12-member executive committee sets overall policy.

The society has 16 historical sites in Kansas and the Kansas Museum of History and the Center for Historical Research for Topeka.