St. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) – George Coppenrath of Barnet has been appointed to replace the late Julius Canns in the Vermont Senate.

Coppenrath, father of University of Vermont basketball star Taylor Coppenrath, said Monday that he was “thrilled” by his appointment, and plans to show up for work next week.

Gov. James Douglas chose Coppenrath from a list of nominees submitted by Caledonia county Republicans.

The list included Brent Beck of Waterford and Dwight Davis of Burke.

“I feel on balance he offers the blend of talent and experience I was looking for,” Douglas said Monday.

The Senate seat has been vacant since Canns, a veteran Republican legislator from St. Johnsbury, died Feb. 20.

Douglas said Coppenrath was “well-positioned” to address the major challenge of health care.