FamilySearch recently named David E. Rencher as its chief genealogical officer. He will coordinate FamilySearch's initiatives in light of what is happening in the genealogy community and will act as a liaison to key industry communities and associations worldwide. He will also explore third-party affiliation opportunities and related marketing initiatives for FamilySearch.

Rencher is a 28-year veteran of FamilySearch and, according to a press release, "a popular leader in genealogy and archive circles." He has held leadership positions with several national organizations and is a professional genealogist and public speaker. In addition to his new role, Rencher will continue to direct FamilySearch's collection development activities.

During his career at FamilySearch, Rencher worked on the development of key services and databases. He has worked to ensure that patrons of family history centers had more timely delivery of microfilm, and he has extended microfilm circulation to public libraries. He initiated the book-scanning program for the Family History Library collection, and helped produce the automated indexes for the Social Security Death records, the 1880 U.S. Census, the 1881 British Census, and the military casualty files for Korea and Vietnam.

Rencher will continue to serve as the vice president of the Genealogical Society of Utah.

"David will provide a public face for FamilySearch to communities it serves and be a representative voice for the genealogical market, products, and services," Jay Verkler, chief executive officer of FamilySearch, said in the press release.