Topeka ? Gov. Mark Parkinson on Wednesday appointed former legislator Ed McKechnie to the Kansas Board of Regents.

McKechnie will serve the remainder of former regents member William Thornton’s term, which expires in June. Thornton resigned after being named secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

McKechnie is now chief commercial officer of Watco Companies Inc., a transportation company.

He served in Kansas House from 1991 to 2001 as a Democrat from Pittsburg.

He and his wife Kristine, and two children, live near Arcadia.

“As a state legislator, business leader and lifelong Kansan, Ed has always been dedicated to promoting and improving all that our state has to offer,” said Parkinson.

“Ed knows from his many years in business that a strong economy requires a skilled, educated workforce. He will bring a unique perspective to the Board of Regents as it continues its critical mission of upholding our higher education institutions,” he said.

McKechnie also serves as secretary-treasurer on the Kansas Bioscience Authority.