Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday selected Ed McKechnie of Arcadia as chairman and Tim Emert of Independence as vice chairman.

“Higher education is such a vital element in the future success of our state’s economy and our citizens, and I’m humbled to have been selected to lead the Board in the coming year,” McKechnie said.

McKechnie had been serving as vice chairman of the nine-member board when Chairman Gary Sherrer unexpectedly resigned last month.

Both McKechnie and Emert are former legislators. McKechnie, a Democrat, served in the House from 1991 to 2001.

Emert, a Republican, is a former state senator and former Senate Majority Leader.