Al Smith to Head OKDHS Human Resources

Oklahoma Capitol --- A.L. ‘Al’ Smith has been named division administrator for Oklahoma Department of Human Services Human Resources Management Division, effective July 5.
Smith joins the OKDHS after serving as vice president for human resources for NATCO Group, Inc., a Houston-based oil and gas equipment company, which has more than 1,000 employees working in 34 locations across the country.

OKDHS Associate Director Larry Harmon, said, "We are pleased to have Al joining the department’s leadership team. He has built a wealth of experience in his 25 years in human resources management, and this will be of significant benefit to OKDHS as we develop our human services team for the 21st Century."

OKDHS is one of Oklahoma’s largest state agencies with nearly 7,500 employees working throughout the state’s 77 counties.

Smith, who commutes from Tulsa to Houston said, "Human resources in large organizations always provides a dynamic challenge, and I am pleased to be able to bring my experience to the service of the citizens of Oklahoma. The world of human services and human resources is changing before our eyes and requires a hands-on leadership approach. One of my goals will be to have a positive impact on strengthening the department’s human services workforce across Oklahoma."

In addition to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in human resources, Smith is an Accredited Senior Human Resources Professional, a Certified Safety Program Manager and Certified Substance Program Communicator/Administrator.

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