On Tuesday, Governor-Elect Kevin Stitt began announcing the names of some of his top-level cabinet officials. Tulsa’s Deputy Mayor Michael Junk was named Chief of Staff.
“As Tulsa's Deputy Mayor, Michael worked hand in hand with me over the last two years to lead Tulsa's turnaround,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a statement. “Now, he can use that experience and knowledge in service to a similar turnaround across the entire State of Oklahoma.”
Michael Rogers, a former state representative from Broken Arrow and a former chair of the House education committee, was named Secretary of State. Donelle Harder, Stitt’s communications director during the campaign, was named Deputy Secretary of State. Both individuals have previous government experience that will help Stitt achieve his goal of creating an administration that includes a mix of “insiders and outsiders,” as he stated previously this month.
Also named this week was Kenneth Wagner to serve as Secretary of Energy and the Environment. Wagner, a former EPA official, is currently a lawyer from Tulsa.
“Wagner is well respected among environment leaders, energy industry experts and state regulators in neighboring states,” Stitt said. “He will play a critical role in advising my administration on policy that encourages robust and responsible development of our natural resources, ensures clean air and clean water for all Oklahomans....”
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