The state Board of Regents on Monday selected Robert O. Brems as the second president of the Utah College of Applied Technology.

Since 2002, Brems has been the campus president and chief executive officer of the Mountainland Applied Technology College in Orem. He was selected from 33 candidates and was one of four finalists.

In accepting the job, Brems said, "Most of Utah's citizens can benefit from workforce training and education provided through UCAT. Working together with the other higher education institutions and public education, we will make a significant impact in economic development and education."

Board of Regents Chairman Nolan E. Karras said, "The need for graduates with technical skills and training is continually increasing in our state. It is imperative that UCAT is innovative and at the forefront of training the future workforce and helping current employees further develop their skills. I am confident Robert Brems will help UCAT fulfill this role."

Brems succeeds Dr. Darrell White, who has served as the interim president since 2005, and will assume his duties in June. UCAT has nine applied technology college campuses across Utah.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D4.