OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 2, 2022) – Samantha Galloway has been named the interim Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) following the announcement that Justin Brown, who served as agency director since June of 2019, will step down from his role effective Aug. 19. In this interim season, Galloway will continue to refine and institutionalize all transformative initiatives that are already in progress.
“Samantha has been a constant source of support and thoughtful counsel to me since I stepped into this position just over three years ago,” said Brown, who will continue to serve the agency as Secretary of Human Services. “As my season as Director of OKDHS draws to a close, I feel great peace in knowing that such a committed and dedicated public servant is left at the helm to continue to guide and support the efforts of our incredible workforce and to ensure the momentum we have built over these years only continues. I am proud of our hard work together and the extraordinarily bright future that lays ahead for this agency.”
Galloway has spent nearly her entire career in human services. Before returning to the agency in 2019 to serve as Chief of Staff and, later, as one of the agency’s Deputy Directors, Galloway served as the OKDHS Legislative Liaison and as a case manager in Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS).
“The services we provide at OKDHS provide hope and empower Oklahomans to dream and strive for brighter tomorrows. I cannot imagine a nobler career path than this one I have been blessed to live at OKDHS,” said Galloway. “Like so many others in the agency, I am incredibly sad that Justin’s time has come to an end, but I’m also overwhelmingly grateful for the leader and friend he has been to me, as well as for the vision and renewed energy he has shown to the more than 6,000 dedicated employees who serve across all 77 counties. I am committed to continuing to build on our accomplishments together and to keep those we serve at the forefront of every decision we make.”
Galloway will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is named by Governor Kevin Stitt. She is past Executive Director of Washington (Parish) Economic Development in Bogalusa, Louisiana, former Director of Community Services at the Center of Family Love in Okarche, Oklahoma and served as Executive Director of Oklahoma Community-Based Providers before her return to OKDHS in 2019. Galloway holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication from Southeastern Louisiana University.
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