FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LES THOMAS SR. NAMED TO OKLAHOMA BOARD OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS
OKLAHOMA CITY, MAR 06, 2023 — Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Les Thomas Sr. to the Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs. Thomas replaces Dr. Mautra Jones, who resigned earlier this year. He starts his duties immediately.
The nine-member board is the rulemaking body for the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Other duties of the Board include approving OJA’s annual budget request, assisting staff with priorities, and establishing procedures and payment rates for contracting agencies.
The president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives each appoint two members to the OJA board. The governor appoints five members.
“I'm humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve our great state. Serving in this role that allows me to impact our next generation is the honor of a lifetime,” said Thomas. “It is a privilege and honor to play a vital role in building a solid foundation through developing the potential within young men and women through treatments, rehabilitation, and good old fashioned hope through the work of the Board of Juvenile Affairs. Supporting OJA‘s mission by helping teenagers become productive citizens is my personal passion and mission. To God be the glory! I'm super excited about working with Executive Director Rachel Holt, staff, and board. What a privilege it is! Lets Goooooo!!!”
Thomas currently serves as the Executive Director of Campus Engagement at Urban Bridge where he focuses on empowering future leaders through mentorship, education, exposure, and economic development. This role allows Thomas to professionally use his passion for working with youth and families to close opportunity gaps and break cycles of poverty through Hope.
In addition to his community work, Thomas has become somewhat of an Oklahoma State (OSU) celebrity as gameday “hype man”. During commercial breaks, timeouts, and halftime, Thomas fuels the fire of OSU fans with his musical talents and energetic personality.
“I am thrilled by Gov. Stitt’s appointment of Les to our OJA Board,” said OJA Executive Director Rachel Holt. “He has a history of mentoring youth and has mentored many OJA youth including his visits to our Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center. His enthusiasm and dedication as the ‘Hype Man of Hope’ aligns perfectly with OJA’s mission to be a hope centered agency. As a board member, Les will both support and challenge our agency as we work to create pathways of success for all Oklahoma youth.”
A veteran of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Thomas gave 20 years of honorable service to the organization. He has also served on many community-focused boards including A Chance to Change, Millwood Enrichment Foundation, and Christian Businessmen’s Coalition.
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Constanzia Nizza / Chief of Staff
at (405) 597-4507 (cell)
constanzia.nizza@oja.ok.gov
Paula Christiansen / Public Information Officer
at (405) 530-2814 (office) or (405) 620-6483 (cell)
paula.christiansen@oja.ok.gov
