Harlan attorney Mark David Goss was appointed chairman of the utility-regulating Kentucky Public Service Commission by Gov. Ernie Fletcher on Tuesday.

Goss, 43, is a graduate of Harlan High School, Transylvania University and the University of Tennessee College of Law. He practices law with his father, Eugene Goss, who was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 1991.

"I'm obviously very honored that the governor has chosen me to be chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission," Goss said. "I think the appointment sends a clear message to the people of eastern and southeastern Kentucky that the governor is interested in the region and that it be represented in his administration.

"I think he's also quite interested in trying to see that utility infrastructure be constructed throughout rural Kentucky so that rural Kentucky can sort of come up to par with the more urbanized parts of the state with regard to water, sewer, broadband service and those kinds of things."

Goss replaced commissioner Robert Spurlin, whose term expired. Fletcher designated him to be chairman, and as such he replaced Martin Huelsmann, who remains on the three-person commission. Gary Gillis, a CPA, is the other member of the three-person commission.

Fletcher said in a statement that Goss' appointment was "a signal of my commitment to provide services such as water, sewer and broadband to all areas of Kentucky, especially our rural areas, where they are a necessity to promoting growth and economic development."

Goss, who has been an attorney in Harlan for 19 years, said he will be moving to Frankfort but will maintain his residence in Harlan. He will begin his duties Monday and said he hoped he can help Harlan and the surrounding counties in his new position.

"The commission is more of a regulatory body, and I don't really know how proactive the commission can be in terms of building infrastructure throughout the state, but certainly that's one of the things I hope we can accomplish in getting some utility infrastructure built in rural parts of the state," Goss said.

"The obvious purpose of that is to be able to promote and attract industry and business to come into an area that they might not otherwise consider."

Goss said his father would continue with their law practice in downtown Harlan, Goss & Goss Attorneys.

Eugene Goss served in the Louie B. Nunn administration from 1968 to 1970, working as Commissioner of Economic Security and later as Commissioner of Highways.

Goss and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters Elizabeth, 17, and Sarah, 14. Rebecca Goss is a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)