Attorney Roger Mc­Keague has been selected as executive director of the Charter School Administrative Office, an agency that has seen several heads in its short history.

"Roger brings extensive knowledge of Hawaii’s charter school system to this position," said Ruth Tschumy, chairwoman of the Charter School Review Panel, which chose Mc­Keague at its meeting June 23.

"He has a vision for a bright future for Hawaii’s charter schools and the panel feels confident he has the ability to manage the charter school system as required by law, as well as the ability to be a strong advocate for charter schools," Tschumy said.

McKeague joined the Charter School Administrative Office in December 2008 and served as deputy director. He became interim executive director after Maunalei Love stepped down Feb. 4 at the request of the panel.

McKeague is the fifth person selected as executive director of the office since it was launched in 2004, not counting those who served on an interim basis. The position is a challenging one, responsible for operating and managing the charter school system, as well as advocating for and guiding Hawaii’s charter schools and helping charter applicants. It pays roughly $90,000 annually.

About 5 percent of Hawaii’s public school students are enrolled in the state’s 31 charter schools, a varied constituency ranging from small Hawaiian immersion schools to large online academies.

McKeague previously served as an analyst and adviser in the office of Gov. Linda Lingle and as a special assistant to the director of the state Department of Health. A member of the Hawaii State Bar since 1994, he has also worked as a lawyer and consultant, specializing in civil and business practice.

"I’m very honored and excited to serve and I’m very much looking forward to working to advance educational opportunities for our children in Hawaii," McKeague said Friday. "There are a lot of things that can be done that are not difficult."