The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has announced Joni Seymour as Deputy Director and Kelly Ford as Director of Human Resources.
Seymour recently served as Chief Innovation Officer for the Oklahoma Transportation Cabinet where she worked to promote innovation that streamlined organizational and technological processes. Seymour will oversee IT, Customer Service and Human Resources for the Authority. In addition to her new role, Seymour will continue to support ODOT in certain IT and Innovation initiatives to ensure continued collaboration and cooperation between the two agencies.
A native Oklahoman, Seymour earned both her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University and her Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University. She began her career at OTA in 2004 as a technology analyst and then transitioned into a software development manager. She worked in that role until 2013 when she briefly left to work in the private sector before returning to OTA in 2017 as the Chief Information Officer.
While at OTA, Seymour oversaw the successful implementation of a system to provide interoperability with partner tolling agencies in Kansas and Texas, allowing PIKEPASS users and users of similar devices from the surrounding states ease of use on multiple turnpike systems. She also supervised multiple system developments and changes to upgrade OTA's tolling infrastructure and backend systems, including the ongoing switch to all electronic tolling.
Joni and her husband, Johnny, live in Yukon and have two adult children and four grandchildren.
In addition to Seymour’s new role, OTA has named Kelly Ford as Director of Human Resources. Ford will be responsible for leading a comprehensive human resources management program, overseeing multiple HR functions within the organization with responsibility for investigating and resolving complex, sensitive HR issues. She also will contribute to the preparation of the agency’s budget, conducting staffing assessments, and recommending changes in organizational structure to optimize efficiency.
Ford earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources from California State University. Kelly has 20 years of experience in human resources from various industries. She and her husband, Kenny, a veteran, live in Edmond and have two children.