OKLAHOMA CITY -- (January 29, 2019) -- The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has begun the search for its next executive director after John Woods departed late last year to fill the executive director of government relations position at the University of Oklahoma, announced TSET Board Chair Bruce Benjamin.
Created by Oklahoma voters in 2000, TSET is an endowment trust established with payments from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between 46 states and the tobacco industry. TSET uses the earnings from the endowment to support statewide educational initiatives and community grants to promote healthier lifestyles and prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, Oklahoma's leading causes of death.
“TSET plays an important part in Oklahoma’s public health by focusing programs on prevention of diseases and promoting the adoption of healthy habits,” Benjamin noted. “The reduction in youth smoking in Oklahoma by half represents an example of the strides made to reverse unhealthy trends. While there remains work ahead, the next executive director will join TSET at a time of tremendous momentum focused on supporting our new Governor’s ambitious goal to improve health outcomes.”
Benjamin continued, “We are seeking a person with a depth of experience in leading and managing a performance-based organization established for the public good, someone who has a collaborative approach to work cooperatively and constructively with external groups including lawmakers, policymakers and community leaders for a healthier Oklahoma. As we conduct a deliberate search to make sure we identify the right person, we expect a sizable pool of excellent candidates.”
The TSET Board of Directors approved a contract with Tulsa-based Switchgear Search and Recruiting to conduct and oversee the application process. Switchgear is an approved statewide contractor for executive search services. TSET has posted the position, and Switchgear will receive all applications and ensure compliance with state law.
The search will close on February 11, 2019, at which time the executive search committee composed of Board Chair Bruce Benjamin, Vice Chair Michelle Stephens, and board member Casey Killblane will begin reviewing applicants for consideration by the entire board in March, with the naming of a new executive director in April. The projected salary range for the new executive director will align with the $100,600 to $150,900 range established through a legislative process and administered by OMES (Office of Management and Enterprise Services).
The job description for the TSET executive director position is posted at https://tset.ok.gov/content/tset-board-directors-seeking-applicants-executive-director.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Whitney Dinger, whitneyd@tset.ok.gov
Direct: 405-521-4959
Cell: 405-227-0488
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health. TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.