The Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education on Thursday approved the appointment of Justin Lockwood as chief of staff of Oklahoma CareerTech.
Lockwood, deputy state director of economic development and support services at Oklahoma CareerTech, will move into the chief of staff position June 1. He will replace Lee Denney, who has been serving as interim chief of staff since January when Brent Haken was named state director.
“Lockwood is an integral part of our team and has worked diligently to find opportunities to grow and serve,” Haken said. “I am excited for him to be named chief of staff by the board. His background, leadership experiences, grounded decision-making skills and passion for quality education will continue to serve the Oklahoma Career and Technology Education System well.”
Lockwood has been a deputy state director at Oklahoma CareerTech since November 2017. He provides leadership for a number of divisions: accreditation, assessment, workforce and economic development, educational partnerships and customized services, facilities and logistics, human resources, Oklahoma APEX Accelerator, work-based learning and the Skills Centers School System. He previously has been responsible for the Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center; digital printing, distribution and client services; and professional development.
“Oklahoma Career Tech is recognized nationally as a premiere Career Tech System,” he said. “It is an honor to have been selected to serve in the role. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the residents of Oklahoma.”
Lockwood earned an associate degree from Connors State College in Warner; bachelor’s degrees in mechanized agriculture and agricultural education from Oklahoma State University; a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Central Oklahoma; district level certification from Wichita (Kansas) State University; and a doctorate in education from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.
Before coming to Oklahoma CareerTech, Lockwood served as superintendent of Prague Public Schools. He began his career as an agricultural education teacher in Stringtown Public Schools and then Drumright Public Schools before moving into administration as an assistant principal at Arkansas City (Kansas) High School; principal at Caney Valley High School in Caney, Kansas; administrator in charge of transportation, maintenance, grounds and support services in the Caney Valley School District; and superintendent of Flinthills School District in Rosalia, Kansas.
Oklahoma CareerTech: Education that works for you
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 15 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
