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Governor Stitt Finalizes Cabinet Modernization

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Governor Kevin Stitt today finalized a modernization of his Cabinet by naming OMES Executive Director Steven Harpe as deputy secretary of digital transformation and administration.

Earlier this week, the governor announced Susan Winchester as secretary of licensing and regulation and Jennifer Grigsby as secretary of economic administration, both of which are new positions.

Because the Governor is statutorily limited to 15 cabinet secretaries, the Governor and State Chief Operating Officer John Budd worked to reassign agencies previously reporting directly to Budd as secretary of agency accountability in order to dissolve that cabinet area and create new cabinet roles. Budd will remain a direct report to Gov. Stitt as COO and continue his integral role overseeing cabinet secretaries and state agencies.  

“With the new cabinet structure and team members, we’ve improved our alignment of like agencies together in the same cabinet areas so they can share best practices and find ways to serve Oklahomans more effectively,” said Budd. “I am extremely proud of the team we’ve built, and I look forward to continuing my role in managing the cabinet for the Governor as his Chief Operating Officer.”

Gov. Stitt says the addition of Harpe as deputy secretary of digital transformation and administration, along with this week’s nominations of Winchester, Grigsby and Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development Scott Mueller position the state well for continued success.

“I continue to be amazed by the caliber of Oklahomans who are interested in serving our state,” said Gov. Stitt. “Oklahomans hired me to bring a fresh set of eyes to state government and these new additions to my Cabinet will play key roles in helping us to continue make Oklahoma a Top Ten state.”

The full cabinet structure is established through Fourth Amended Executive Order 2019-01.

Last Modified on Aug 18, 2021
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