Topeka ? Michael Moffet, Lawrence, on Wednesday was sworn in as the newest member of the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Moffet, 53, was administered the oath of office by his boyhood friend Gary Sebelius, a federal magistrate and husband of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who last week appointed Moffet to the position.

Earlier Wednesday, Moffet had been confirmed by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee.

For the past several years, Moffet has been a consultant to SBC Communications Inc., a position that raised some concerns about his ability to remain impartial on the three-member KCC, which regulates telecommunications, energy and trucking. But Moffet promised to strive for fairness.

“… whatever law or regulation we are talking about, I’m sure we could agree that our goal should be to strike a balance between what is fair to regulated industries, ratepayers and consumers alike, with the protection of consumers foremost in the process,” he said.

Moffet replaced John Wine, who had served on the KCC since 1996.

Moffet earned a bachelor’s and law degree from Kansas University.