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PHOENIX - The Arizona Board of Regents has a new member, effective January 2012.

Governor Jan Brewer announced the appointment of Jay Heiler to the Board on Wednesday, saying "Jay's extensive leadership in education, business, government and strategic planning makes him uniquely qualified to serve in this role helping direct the future of higher education in Arizona."

The Governor's announcement says Mr. Heiler has worked with Great Hearts Academies, which is a network of charter prep schools, educating 5,000 students in Phoenix.

It goes on to say Mr. Heiler also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Charter Schools Association.

Before this, Mr. Heiler was Presidnet of the Board for St. Francis Xavier School, in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors for the Morrison Institute, The Goldwater Institute and the Arizona School Choice Trust.

The news release says this blend of experience will be valuable as the Regents work to make the university experience as accessible and relevant as possible for Arizona students.

Governor Brewer has set a goal of 2020 for the state's universities to double the number of bacccalaureate degrees.

"We are still a young state, and the greatest structural influence on Arizona's second 100 years will come from its schools and universities," Mr. Heiler said. "Across time, there can be no work more important than sharpening the mission and continuously improving the performances of these vital and constitutionally-required institutions."

Mr Heiler was Chief-Of-Staff under Governor Fife Symington and before that, he served as Assistant Attorney General under Arizona Attorney General Bob Corbin.

His appointment to the Board of Regents is subject to confirmation by the Arizona State Senate.