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Utah's newest state school board member easily cleared his legislative hurdles on Wednesday, receiving a unanimous vote of the Senate along with several other gubernatorial appointments.
The Senate voted 19-0, without debate, to consent to the governor's selections, which include tech lobbyist Stan Lockhart for the school board seat left vacant by Mark Openshaw.
Openshaw was killed last month along with his wife and two of his children in a plane crash in Missouri.
Lockhart, government affairs manager for memory-chip manufacturer IM Flash, is also widower of Becky Lockhart, the former House Speaker who died in January.
During Lockhart's confirmation committee hearing on Tuesday, Lockhart said he spoke with Openshaw the night before Openshaw's death.
Lockhart credited that friendship for motivating him to accept Gov. Gary Herbert's invitation to serve on the state school board.
"The thought occurred to me that Mark might like me to serve here," Lockhart said.
Committee members quizzed Lockhart on his strengths, his perception of the role of the state school board and his views on college and career preparation for Utah's students.
Lockhart described himself as a consensus builder.
"I want to help our kids dream big and achieve their hopes and dreams," he said.
Lockhart was involved in the creation of the STEM Action Center, which promotes science, technology, engineering and math education in the state.
His work with STEM education has earned him the nickname of "Stem Lockhart," according to Draper Republican Sen. Howard Stephenson.
Justin Jones, executive director of the advocacy group Prosperity 2020, said Lockhart's impact on STEM education will be felt "for decades to come."
"We can't think of a better person to fill this unfortunate opening on the board," he said.
Ogden Republican Sen. Ann Millner said she hopes Lockhart's vision of collaboration will lead to positive results for Utah's schools.
"We want our kids to be in the top 10 in the United States — in the world preferably," she said. "Finding a way to have our kids achieving at the top is so incredibly important to them individually, to their families and to the state."