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Stan Lockhart, a lobbyist for the Utah-based memory-chip manufacturer IM Flash, will fill the state School Board seat left vacant with the death of Mark Openshaw.

Lockhart's selection is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. His term on the board would expire on Dec. 31, 2016.

"Losing Mark Openshaw was a tragedy and we will certainly miss his voice on the State Board of Education," Gov. Gary Herbert said in a prepared statement. "I am confident Stan Lockhart is uniquely qualified to step in and make a positive difference from day one. His broad experience in business and technology, combined with his understanding of our education system, will be a benefit to students throughout our state."

About half of appointed state School Board members, like Lockhart, have no education background.

Openshaw was killed last month, along with his wife and two of their children, when the plane he was flying crashed shortly after takeoff in rural Misouri.

Lockhart said in a statement that he is honored to serve in Utah's public education system and hopes to live up to the high standard set by his "good friend" Openshaw.

"Just the day before the accident, I spoke with Mark at length about education policy," Lockhart said. "He was very dedicated to the students, teachers, administrators and the public."

In addition to his role with IM Flash, Lockhart serves on the board of directors for The Leonardo museum and Thanksgiving Point and is involved with Utah's STEM Action Center, which promotes science, technology, engineering and math education throughout the state.

Salt Lake City Democratic Rep. Joel Briscoe described Lockhart as a "thoughtful person" who would have a positive impact on the school board.

"He certainly is a strong proponent of STEM education and I anticipate he'll continue to be," Briscoe said.

Lockhart is the widower of Becky Lockhart, who, as speaker of the Utah House, pushed an unsuccessful school technology proposal that would have placed an electronic learning device in the hands of every public school student.

Becky Lockhart was a frequent critic of Herbert, calling him an "inaction figure" during one of her legislative opening day speeches. Her comments fueled speculation she might challenge Herbert for his seat.

After her final House term ended, she applied for the position of state superintendent of public instruction, but was not selected by the State School Board. She died in January after suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Briscoe said he was happy to see Stan Lockhart accept the governor's appointment, and he did not anticipate his colleagues in the Senate objecting to Lockhart's confirmation.

"His family has given plenty of public service to the state and I think the state is better for it," Briscoe said.