For Immediate Release

Oklahoma City – Steven Harpe, Office of Management and Enterprise Services director,  has named Shelley Zumwalt as the agency’s chief of innovation. She most recently served as the chief of communications and strategic engagement at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Zumwalt started her state service almost a decade ago as a budget analyst at OMES before overseeing communications at the OMES Employees Group Insurance Division. She then was named director of the Public Affairs division of OMES. In addition to her service at OMES, Zumwalt also served in the Office of the Governor as public affairs director.

“Coming back to OMES to work with Director Harpe is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Zumwalt said. “OMES’s best days are ahead, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team shaping the next chapter at the agency where I started my career in state service.”

“I will miss my OHCA colleagues considerably,” Zumwalt added. “My time at OHCA opened my eyes to the challenges the state has in regard to delivering health services, and I will be cheering them on from afar as they work to improve health outcomes for the state.”

Zumwalt, who is a native Oklahoman, earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications at the University of Central Oklahoma. She was selected to attend the OSU Executive Development Program for State Officials in 2018 and has been a featured speaker and moderator at state and national conferences on digital innovation in government communications as well as strategic planning in the public sector.

“The chief of innovation is a new position at OMES and I cannot think of a better person to set the bar high and bring original ideas and solutions to the table, ” said OMES Director Steven Harpe. “Shelley is a dynamic and driven leader who knows how to get things done. OMES is excited to have her back to play a part in redefining the agency’s strategic goals.”

As chief of innovation, Zumwalt will provide oversight to multiple areas of the agency including business process optimization, strategic alliance partnerships, project management and public affairs. She will work closely with agency stakeholders to align OMES business processes and resources to customer goals, needs and usher in leading-edge solutions to improve the customer service experience.

Jake Lowrey
Interim Director of Public Affairs
405-437-7991 | [email protected]

About the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
 

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission:  Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information, visit OMES.OK.gov.