Oklahoma

Oklahoma Almanac
Almanac
oklahoma Route

66
US
66
$15  201 1
201 1–2012
ISBN 978–1–880438–12–1

2012
Celebrating
the Mother Road
in Oklahoma
ii

Susan McVey, Director

Board of Directors
Hannibal B. Johnson, Chair—Tulsa LaWalta “Wally” Turner—Enid
Jon Douthitt, Vice-Chair—Claremore Harlene Wills—Tahlequah
Judy Haught—Elk City Shelly Pitt-Wilson—Norman
Tom Terry—Shawnee
William R. Young, Administrator—Office of Public Information

Oklahoma Almanac
Copyright ©2011—Oklahoma Department of Libraries
200 NE 18 Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105–3298
Editor—Connie G. Armstrong
Cover and Book Design—William R. Struby
Further Assistance in Research and Data Gathering—Steve Beleu, Cliff Broadworth,
Kristi Hawkins, Michael O’Hasson, William Petrie, Kitty Pittman, Gary Phillips, and
William R. Struby.
Special Thanks—Chad Williams and Laura Martin at the Oklahoma Historical Society
Research Division, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism & Recreation, and acclaimed
Route 66 historian and author Michael Wallis.

Prepared and issued by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries as authorized by 65 O.S.

2001§3–110. Three thousand five hundred (3,500) paperback copies have been printed. Printing
costs were approximately $23,643.00. Copies deposited in the Publications Clearinghouse of
the Department of Libraries.  (5/11)

International Standard Book Number 978–1–880438–13–8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Oklahoma Almanac / edited by Connie G. Armstrong
53rd ed., 2011 revision. • Formerly The Directory of Oklahoma
1. Elections—Oklahoma—Statistics—Periodicals.
2. Oklahoma—Registers—Periodicals.
I. Oklahoma Dept. of Libraries.
II. Armstrong, Connie G.
JK7131.A36 2003
353.9766–dc21

On the Cover—illustration by William R. Struby

with original Route 66 photograph by Pere Solé.
Oklahoma
Almanac
2011–2012
Fifty-Third Edition
 Contents
iv

Foreword viii

Oklahoma In Brief 1
General Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Economic Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Natural Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sooner State Gazette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Executive Branch 65
Governor Mary Fallin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Oklahoma Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Governor Fallin’s Cabinet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Legislative Branch 95
The Oklahoma Legislature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Oklahoma State Senate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Oklahoma State House of Representatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Judicial Branch 185

Oklahoma Court System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Supreme Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Justices of the Supreme Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Court of Criminal Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Court of Civil Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
10th Circuit Court of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Courts of General Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
District Attorneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
 v

Agencies, Boards, & Commissions 221

Profiles of Agencies, Boards, and Commissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
State Government Institutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Public Libraries In Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Daily and Weekly Newspapers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Oklahoma Radio Stations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Oklahoma Television Stations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350

Federal Government 353

United States Senate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
United States Congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
United States District Judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
United States District Judges—Senior Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
United States Bankruptcy Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
United States District Court Magistrates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
United States Attorneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Federal Installations and Agencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370

County Government 375

County Government in Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
County Clerk Addresses and Phone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378

Oklahoma Municipal Government 537

Municipal Government History and Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
Major Cities of Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Oklahoma Cities with Populations Over 30,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Oklahoma Chambers of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 557
Incorporated Cities and Towns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Communities Not Incorporated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577

Election Information 583

Election Dates 2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585
Election Dates 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586
vi  Oklahoma Almanac

Registration by Party in Oklahoma Since 1960. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590

County Registration by Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 592
Election Results 1996–2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595
County Election Boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684
Voting Districts of Cities and Towns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687

Education 703
Public Schools In Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
Public School District Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709
Oklahoma Public Education Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
Consolidations of School Districts by County, 1946 and 2009 . . . 731
Higher Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 732
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education . . . 740

Oklahoma History 743

A Brief History of Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745
Governors of the Territory and State of Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754
First Ladies of Oklahoma…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764
Secretaries of State—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765
Elective State Officers—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766
Corporation Commissioners—Since Statehood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 771
House of Representatives—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772
State Senate—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
History of Oklahoma Congressmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833
Party Affiliation of Governor, U.S. Delegation,
and State Legislature, Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835
United States District Judges—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 840
United States Attorneys—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 841
United States Marshals—Since Statehood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 843
Justices of the Supreme Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 845
Court of Criminal Appeals History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849
Oklahoma Museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850
Historical Markers in Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904
Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
 vii

Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913

Oklahoma Rhodes Scholars University of Oxford, England. . . . . . 914
Oklahoma Poet Laureates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916

Commerce & Agriculture 919

Commerce in Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920
Oklahoma Gross State Product by Industrial Sector. . . . . . . . . . . . . 923
Oklahoma Non-Farm Wage and Salary Disbursements. . . . . . . . . . 924
Major Employers in Oklahoma 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925
Mining/Petroleum Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930
Agriculture Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934
2009 Crop Weather Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 937
Agricultural and Livestock Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 939

Wildlife & Nature 943

Location and Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
Demographics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948
Climate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950
Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 958
Forests and Vegetation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 963
Mountains and Streams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967
Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972
Astronomical Phenomena for Oklahoma—2011 and 2012. . . . . . 976

General Index 997

viii

Foreword
If Oklahoma has a “street of dreams,” surely it is Route 66. The Mother
Road, a 423–mile strip of concrete and asphalt that ran through our
state from Quapaw to Texola, was witness to both grand dreams and
economic nightmares.
Route 66 personified America’s muscle and can-do spirit as laborers
worked to lay miles of concrete from Chicago to Los Angeles. It was
also the road that exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of a nation,
as shops, restaurants, gas stations, and motels opened along its length
hosting thousands on their travels across the continent.
Route 66 was the thoroughfare that took Oklahomans on shopping
trips, to family gatherings, and to playgrounds. In the 1930s, it was the
trail that took many Americans out west, away from the drought, the
farm crisis, and the Great Depression.
In the late 50s, as the Interstate Highway System was built across
the nation, this road saw its decline, supplanted or bypassed by the
“Interstates.” Today, Route 66 has experienced a modern renaissance.
With more miles of the highway than any other state, travelers from
across the country and the world visit Oklahoma to discover or redis-
cover this historic road of dreams, to create their own memories on
this most celebrated of American highways and byways.
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries salutes Route 66 in this edition
of our biennial Oklahoma Almanac. We celebrate its history, what it
means to us today, and its promising future as Oklahomans work to
preserve and enhance this special roadway.
If you’re traveling along Route 66, be sure and stop at one of Oklahoma’s
public libraries along the way. You’ll find a host of resources to explore
the history and culture of our Great State.
Happy Trails !

Susan McVey
Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Oklahoma City  •  April 2011
Oklahoma
In Brief
2

General Facts
Organized as a Territory  May 2, 1890.
Admitted to the Union  November 16, 1907, as the forty-sixth state.
State Name  Oklahoma means “Red People” in the Choctaw language.
Population*  3,687,050 (Resident Population, U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 esti-
mate), 3,450,654 (2000); and 3,145,585 (1990). Oklahoma has the second largest
American Indian population of any state, with California ranking first. Many of the
more than 273,230 American Indians living in Oklahoma today are descendants of
the original sixty-seven tribes inhabiting Indian Territory. According to the Census
2009 estimate, in Oklahoma 75.4 percent of the population is white (compared with
83 percent in 1998). Also, the 2009 estimate indicates 6.6 percent American Indian;
7.3 percent African American; and approximately 1.6 percent Asian. Additionally,
persons of Hispanic or Latino origin make up 7.5 percent of the population.

Major Cities (2009 U.S. Census Est.)

Oklahoma City 560,333 Midwest City 57,193
Tulsa 389,625 Moore 53,763
Norman 109,062 Enid 47,968
Broken Arrow 94,996 Stillwater 46,156
Lawton 91,187 Muskogee 39,994
Edmond 81,093
Source—U.S. Census Bureau at www.census.gov

Area  There are 68,679 square miles of land and 1,224 square miles of water; a total
of 69,903 square miles, divided into seventy-seven counties. Besides Minnesota,
Oklahoma is larger than any other state east of it, and except for Washington and
Hawaii, is smaller than any state to the north, west, and south.

Elevation  The highest point in Oklahoma is in the extreme northwest on Black

Mesa in Cimarron County (4,973 feet); the lowest point is located in the extreme
southeast, east of Idabel in McCurtain County (287 feet).

Location  Bordered by Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and

Arkansas. Closer to the equator than to the North Pole.

Latitude  33° 39’–37° North  Longitude  94° 29’–103° West

Time Zones  Oklahoma is on Central Standard Time from the first Sunday in
November until the second Sunday in March. The rest of the year, Daylight Savings
Time is in effect. The only exception is the city of Kenton in the far western tip of the
Panhandle which is on Mountain Standard Time, one hour earlier all year. Time
moves forward one hour in spring and back one hour in fall.

* New 2010 U.S. Census data shows Oklahoma’s population has grown to 3,751,351.
 Oklahoma In Brief  3

Driving Information  Oklahoma is crossed by three major interstate highways:

I–35, I–40, and I–44. Additionally, US–412 extends from the state’s eastern border with
Arkansas near Siloam Springs, west through the Panhandle to the border with New
Mexico. The speed limit on turnpikes is 75 mph, or 120 kph; on interstate highways,
70 mph, or 112 kph; and on other highways, 65 mph (104 kph), or 55 mph (88 kph).

Air Service  Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, and Tulsa International
Airport are served by major and regional domestic airlines. The Lawton-Fort Sill
Regional Airport is served by American Eagle. Also, Fort Smith, Arkansas; Wichita,
Kansas; and Dallas, Texas, are served by major airlines.

Rail Service  Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer offers daily service between Oklahoma
City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, and Fort Worth, where travelers may
connect to other Amtrak routes. Call 800/USA-RAIL or www.amtrak.com.

Bus Service  Contact the public transit branch of the Oklahoma Department
of Transportation at 405/521–2584 for bus schedule information. Greyhound and
Jefferson bus lines operate within the state. Greyhound can be reached at 800/231–
2222; Jefferson at 800/767–5333.

Constitution and Government

Oklahoma’s present constitution, dating from 1907, provides for amendment by
initiative petition and legislative referendum. The legislature consists of a Senate
of forty-eight members, elected for four-year terms; and a House of Representa-
tives with 101 members, elected for two-year terms. The governor and lieutenant
governor are elected for four-year terms. The governor can only be elected for two
terms in succession. Electors are all citizens eighteen years or older, with the usual
qualifications, i.e., resident of Oklahoma. There are restrictions on convicted felons
running for office. The state is represented in the U.S. Congress by two senators
elected to six-year terms, and five representatives elected for two-year terms.
Source—Secretary of State, State Election Board
4  Oklahoma Almanac

2011–2012 Official Holidays in Oklahoma

25 O.S. 1991, sec. 82.1 (as amended)

Holiday Definition 2011 2012***

New Year’s Day 1 of January
st Jan 1 Jan 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January Jan 17 Jan 16
President’s Day 3rd Monday in February Feb 21 Feb 20
Memorial Day Last Monday in May May 30 May 28
Independence Day 4th of July July 4 July 4
Labor Day 1st Monday in September Sep 5 Sep 3
Veteran’s Day (Usually) 11th of November Nov 11 Nov 12
Thanksgiving Holiday* 4th Thursday in Nov. & day after Nov 24/25 Nov 22/23
Christmas Holiday** 25th of December Dec 26/27 Dec 25
*HB 2480, April 23, 1996, designated the day after Thanksgiving an official holiday.
** HB 2607, November 1, 1998, designated the Monday before Christmas if Christmas is on a Tuesday, the
Friday after Christmas if Christmas is on a Thursday as an official holiday; and such other days as may be
designated by the President of the United States or the Governor of Oklahoma.
*** At press time Governor Mary Fallin had not signed an executive order for 2012 state holidays.

Additional Holidays (Optional Closing)

25 O.S. 1991, sec.82.2 (as amended)

Holiday Date
Vietnam Veterans Day...............................................3rd Thursday of March
Youth Day...................................................................3rd Sunday in March
Jefferson Day..............................................................13th of April
Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Day.........19th of April
Oklahoma Day...........................................................22nd of April
Senior Citizens’ Week................................................Beginning 1st Sunday in May
Senior Citizens’ Day..................................................Wednesday of Senior Citizens’ Week
Mother’s Day..............................................................2nd Sunday in May
Jim Thorpe Day..........................................................22nd of May
Purple Heart Week ....................................................Last week of May
Juneteenth National Freedom Day..........................3rd Saturday in June
Indian Day..................................................................1st Saturday after full moon in September
Grandparents’ Week..................................................Beginning 2nd Sunday in September
Cherokee Strip Day....................................................16th of September
Oklahoma Historical Day..........................................10th of October
Will Rogers Day..........................................................4th of November
Native American Day................................................3rd Monday in November
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.............................7th of December
Citizenship Recognition Day  On such day as may be fixed by the governor and each day
in which the state election is held throughout the State of
Oklahoma; and such other days as may be designated by
the President of the United States or the Governor of the
State of Oklahoma.
 5

Economic Environment
Property Valuation
Locally Assessed 2007–08 2008–09 Increase/Decrease
Real Estate & Improvements $16,223,712,926 $17,322,957,720 $1,099,244,794
Personal Subject to Tax $4,080,279,700 $4,412,119,838 $331,840,138
Total Locally Assessed $20,303,992,626 $21,735,077,558 $1,431,084,932
Homestead Exemptions
Allowed $797,686,691 $841,076,878 $43,390,187
Net Assessed Locally $19,506,305,935 $20,894,000,680 $1,387,694,745
Public Service Assessments $2,555,532,643 $2,498,953,043 ($56,579,600)
Net Assessed Valuation $22,061,838,578 $23,392,953,723 $1,331,115,145
Locally Assessed 2004–05 2005–06 Increase/Decrease
Real Estate & Improvements $13,460,231,403 $14,133,767,322 $673,535,919
Personal Subject to Tax $3,353,214,005 $3,474,588,917 $121,374,912
Total Locally Assessed $16,813,445,408 $17,608,356,239 $794,910,831
Homestead Exemptions
Allowed $809,707,007 $775,814,544 ($33,832,463)
Net Assessed Locally $16,003,738,401 $16,832,541,695 $828,803,294
Public Service Assessments $2,482,220,237 $2,752,885,481 $270,665,244
Net Assessed Valuation $18,485,958,638 $19,585,427,176 $1,099,468,538
Source—State Board of Equalization

State Budget
Year Ending June 30, 2010
Total Revenue  $15,772,333  •  Total Expenditures  $16,609,388.
Source—Office of State Finance
(2012 Executive Budget, Historical Document.)

Year Ending December 31, 2010

Gross General Obligation Debt  $223,095,000
Gross Contractual Obligation Debt  $0
Gross Public Lease Purchase Obligation  $10,985,000
Gross Lease Purchase Debt Privately Placed  $11,429,000
Total Gross Tax-Supported Debt  $2,167,971,000
Total Reductions to Gross Tax-Supported Debt  $123,343,000
Total Net Tax-Supported Debt  $2,044,628,000.
Source—State Bond Advisor, 2010 Annual Report www.state.ok.us/~ok-bonds; For notes about the
debt information in the preceding paragraph, see www.ok-bonds.state.ok.us/AnnRpt10.pdf
6  Oklahoma Almanac

Agriculture
Chief agricultural products are beef cattle, hogs, poultry, sheep, milk, wheat, hay, sorghum
and other grains, peanuts, and cotton. According to the 2010 Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics
Report, in 2009 Oklahoma had a total of 86,500 farms. The total land area in farms equaled
35,100,000 acres. The average size farm was 406 acres.
Cash receipts for all Oklahoma commodities sold in 2009 totaled $4.84 billion, down 14
percent from 2008. Receipts from livestock and related products, which accounted for 74
percent of the total cash receipts, totaled $3.58 billion, down 8 percent from 2008. Receipts
for cattle and calves sold were down 7 percent to $2.23 billion, while broilers, at $557.7 mil-
lion, were down four percent. The third largest livestock item, based on cash receipts, was
hogs at $511.3 million, down nine percent from 2008. Dairy product receipts were down 29
percent from 2008 sales, at $150.8 million.
Crop sales for 2009, at $1.26 billion, were down 28 percent from 2008. Food grain sales, which
include wheat and rye, totaled $500 million, down 50 percent from 2008. Feed crop sales,
comprised of corn, sorghum, oats, and hay, at $290.9 million, were down 10 percent from
2008. Peanuts declined 45 percent to $8.8 million. Soybeans, at $100.1 million, were up 46
percent. Grain sorghum sales were $38.8 million, up 5 percent while hay sales totaled $131.8
million, down slightly from the previous year. Cotton lint and cottonseed, at $81.6 million,
were down 4 percent from 2008.
Beef cattle prices averaged $86.70 per hundred weight, down $7.50; steer and heifer prices
averaged $90.20 per hundredweight, down $7.40; beef cow prices averaged $46.40 per
hundredweight, down $6.80, and calf prices were $105.00 per hundredweight, down $6.00
from 2008. Milk cows averaged $1,350 per head, down $500.00 from 2008. Sheep prices
averaged $31.00 per hundredweight, up $1.00. Lamb prices averaged $97.00 per hundred-
weight, unchanged from the previous year. Wool prices averaged 40 cents a pound in 2009,
unchanged from 2008. All hog prices were $34.80 per hundredweight, down $3.10 cents from
2008. Egg prices were $1.10 per dozen, down 15 cents.
Topographically and geographically, Oklahoma’s agriculture is diverse, ranging from the
semi-arid high plains of the Panhandle with its heavy concentration of cattle feedlots and
ranches, hog farms, and large-scale crop farms, to the flat, heavily irrigated southwest section
devoted primarily to cotton, wheat, peanuts, and some cattle. Then there are the wheat and
cattle farms of western and northern Oklahoma; the cross-timbered central sections where
the emphasis is on dairying and diversified farming of crops such as peanuts and hay; the
wetter eastern pastures and timbers; and the pine-rich southeastern section where timber,
cattle, and poultry predominate.
Sources—Agricultural Statistics Division, Okla. Department of Agriculture,
Food and Forestry, www.oda.state.ok.us; 2007 Census of Agriculture

Commerce
According to the Oklahoma State University 2011 Economic Outlook, Oklahoma lost 80,000
non-farm job during 2009 and 2010 as a result of the ongoing recession. One-time monies
have allowed Oklahoma City to weather the recession ahead of Tulsa, but the state’s Rainy
Day Fund has been tapped and additional federal stimulus dollars coming into the state
are unlikely. Unemployment rates remain elevated by Oklahoma standards, but well below
national rates. In December 2010, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent, down
from 7.3 percent in December 2009. The unemployment rate for the nation in December
2010 was 9.4 percent, down from 9.9 percent in December 2009.
 Oklahoma In Brief  7

Oklahoma’s economy has begun to rebound, however, and the recovery should continue
throughout the United States and Oklahoma with no double-dip recession occurring. US
real gross domestic product should increase by 2.3 percent in 2011, before approaching 3
percent in 2012. Unemployment rates will remain elevated, although hiring will accelerate
in the second half of 2011. Oklahoma’s economic recovery should stay at the national pace,
with 2011 being a year of genuine recovery. Rural areas in Oklahoma will remain relatively
insulated with stable commodity prices and a return to oil and natural gas activity assisting
many communities.
Source—2011 Economic Outlook, Oklahoma State University,
College of Business Administration, www.economy.okstate.edu/outlook

Industry
According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce 2010 Annual Report, investments
announced by new and expanding manufacturers and processors in 2010 totaled more than
$566 million. Within the next few years, over 5,300 new jobs will be created by fifteen new and
thirty-one expanding manufacturing firms. Major job announcements in 2010 came from
Baker Hughes in Claremore; The Boeing Company, Midwest City; and Enerflow Industries in
Broken Arrow. In 2010 the largest number of announcements was in the area of machinery
manufacturing. Total investment from twelve companies as over $131 million. The next largest
firms announced was in fabricated metal manufacturing with ten companies announcing
over $18 million in investment. These companies included Mertz, Ponca City; Total Energy
Fabrication; Blackwell; Logan & Company, Bartlesville; and Avery Barron Industries, Tulsa.
The third largest number of firms with five announcements was in food manufacturing, with
over $64 million in investments in the state. Those firms include Dorada Poultry, Ponca City;
Tyson Foods, Broken Bow; and Schwan Food Company, Stilwell. In examining geographic
disbursement during 2010, there was a least one manufacturing announcement in twenty-
five of Oklahoma’s seventy-seven counties, or 33 percent of the counties.
In the service sector, nineteen new firms and seventeen expanding firms announced nearly
$415 million in investments in 2010. During the next few years, these service providers plan to
increase employment by over 3,800 new jobs. These companies included Affiliated Computer
Services, Oklahoma City; U.S. Cellular, Tulsa; Diagnostic Laboratory of OK, Oklahoma City.
Source—Oklahoma Department of Commerce 2010 Annual Report

Petroleum and Natural Gas

The long-term declines in Oklahoma oil and natural gas production have been reversed in
the last several years due to the impact of horizontal drilling and completion technology.
Although they still account for only slightly more than a third of all drilling, the effect of
this technology has been enormous. It has helped increase overall drilling activity and now
accounts for almost all significant exploratory drilling in Oklahoma. In fact, state operators
are now almost entirely occupied with identifying areas and reservoirs where this technol-
ogy will work.
Oklahoma oil production, which had been in decline since 1984, has been on a general rise
since 2006. In 2009 production rose 2.8 percent to about 67 million barrels. There are many
horizontal drilling plays that contributed to this rise in the face of continued declines in
conventional production. The most important are the Cleveland, Granite Wash, Hunton, and
Mississippian reservoirs. Strong crude prices have increased oil-generated gross production
tax revenues and helped keep these plays economically feasible.
Source—Oklahoma Geological Survey, www.ou.edu/special/ogs-pttc
8  Oklahoma Almanac

Poverty
The national average of people in poverty in 2009 was 13.5 percent, an increase from the 11.3
percent rate in 2000. The estimate for Oklahomans living below the poverty level in 2009 was
16.4 percent, an increase from the estimated 15.9 percent in 2008. The number of Oklahoma
families living below the poverty level was 10.1 percent in 2009, compared to the national
average of 9.9 percent. The number of Oklahoma children under the age of eighteen living
below the poverty level in 2009 was 23.0 percent, up from 19.0 percent in 2007. In families
with no husband present and with children, Oklahoma’s poverty rate was 35.6 percent, down
slightly from 38.3 percent in 2007. Poverty rates for 2009 from surrounding states include
Arkansas, 17.7; Colorado, 11.9; Kansas, 12.2; Louisiana, 18.4; Mississippi, 21.4; Missouri, 13.7;
New Mexico, 18.1; and Texas, 16.8.
Source—U.S. Census

Taxes
For the tax years 2008–2010, income tax on personal income ranged from .05 percent on the
first $2,000 of taxable income to 5.5 percent for more than $15,000 if married filing jointly
and head of household. (The rate is .05 percent on the first 1,000 to 5.5 percent over $8,700 if
single or married filing separately.) The top tax rate on the 2008–2010 Oklahoma Individual
Tax Form was 5.5 percent. The personal exemption is $1,000 per exemption. The corporate
tax rate was 6 percent.
Only county governments with the local millage rates to meet local budgets levy real estate
and tangible property taxes. County assessors must assess property at a single rate between
11 and 13.5 percent, and personal property between 10 percent and 15 percent. There is a
general homestead exemption of $1,000 deducted from the gross assessed value of the
homestead property.
Sales and use tax in Oklahoma is 4.5 percent. Many cities levy an additional tax of 1 percent
to 5 percent. In addition, counties have the authority to levy a county sales tax not to exceed
2 percent. Counties can now levy a county use tax as well. Items not subject to sales tax are
motor vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, gasoline, prescription drugs, water service,
and others.
Source—Oklahoma Tax Commission , www.oktax.state.ok.us

Transportation
As of 2010, a total of 112,878 miles of public roads existed across Oklahoma. Of those, the
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for 12,261 miles of non-toll
highways and 673 miles of non-toll interstates roads. In addition, ODOT maintains 6,728
bridges on the highway system. Three major interstates make-up the highest traveled routes
in the state. They are I-35, I-40, and I-44. The state also has ten toll roads, equaling 606 miles.
Other mileages across the state include 85,234 miles of county roads; 14,313 miles of city
roads, and 284 miles of park roads. There are twenty-two railway companies across the state
using a total of 3,718 miles of track. Of those, the state owns 762 miles.
As of 2009, there were 138 publicly owned airports. Of those 138, 114 are part of the state
airport system. In addition, there are 248 privately owned landing sites across the state as
well as two public-use heliports.
Source—Department of Transportation , www.okladot.state.ok.us:
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, www.ok.gov/OAC
 Oklahoma In Brief  9

Workforce
As of December 2009, the Oklahoma’s civilian labor force was estimated at 1,747,781 with
1,645,888 employed and 101,893 unemployed. Oklahoma’s unemployment rate rose to 5.8
percent in December 2009. In December 2009 Oklahoma’s estimated leading employment
areas were: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, 331,066 jobs; Education and Health Services,
356,089; Government, 279,072; Professional and Business Services, 130,578; Manufactur-
ing, 170,792; Financial, 101,082; Construction, 122,016; Public Administration 96,739; and
Services, 84,887.
The average wage per job in Oklahoma for 2008 was $37,836, while the estimated average
median household income for 2009 was $52,392. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported
the national state per capita income for individuals in 2009 was $39,138. Oklahoma’s reported
per capita income for 2009 was $35,268, ranking thirty-fifth in the nation. Other states in
the region included Colorado, $41,344; Texas, $36,484; Kansas, $37,916; Missouri, $35,676;
New Mexico, $32,992; and Arkansas, $31,946. Coming in first nationally was Connecticut at
$54,379. Coming in last was Mississippi at $30,101.
Source—Oklahoma Department of Commerce, U.S. Census, and the U.S. Department of Labor
Illustration courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society
10

Natural Environment
Climate
Bright and sunny. The northwestern part of the state is cooler and drier than the southeast.
The mean annual temperature ranges from 62 F along the Red River to about 58 F along the
northern border. It then decreases westward to 56 F in Cimarron County. Temperatures of
90 F or greater occur, on average, about 60–65 days per year in the western panhandle and
the northeast corner of the state. In the southwest, the average is about 115 days, and in the
southeast about 85 days. Statewide-averaged precipitation ranges from about 17 inches in
the far western panhandle to about 56 inches in the far southeast. Snowfalls usually do not
remain on the ground more than a few days, ranging from two inches a year in the southeast
to thirty inches in the western Panhandle. The growing season ranges from 175 days in the
Panhandle to more than 200 days in the south central part of the state.
Source—Oklahoma Climatological Survey, www.ocs.ou.edu

Forests
A variety of soils, climate, and topography creates a rich diversity in Oklahoma’s forest land.
In the southeast, high rainfall and mountainous terrain support an expanse of pine and oak.
In the northeast, Ozark hardwoods predominate. Through central Oklahoma, post oak and
blackjack oak of the Cross Timbers mix with tallgrass prairies, pastures, and cropland. The
streams and cypress swamps in the southeast coastal plain change to bottomland hardwoods,
including cottonwood and willow, in the Panhandle.
In the southwest, oak shinnery and mesquite spreading onto rangeland offer a different
“agroforest” environment. Eastern red cedar is spreading rapidly in some areas. Considered
a pest as it spreads into rangeland and forest land, it is also becoming the basis for a new
forest products industry. Through the northwest and Panhandle, limited rainfall isolates trees
to water courses. In the far reaches of Cimarron County, pinyon pine, juniper, and even a
remnant stand of ponderosa pine are reminiscent of the Rocky Mountains.
The economic impact of forestry statewide is estimated at more than $1.5 billion. In eastern
Oklahoma, forestry accounts for 18 percent of manufacturing employment, and 12 percent
of the value of shipments. When supporting industries are included, forestry accounts for 30
percent of the region’s manufacturing employment. Timber is fifth in value of all agricultural
commodities in Oklahoma.
Source—Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, www.oda.state.ok.us

Geography
Oklahoma, one of the Great Plains states, is slightly south of the geographic center of the
U.S. Most of the state is a great, rolling plain, sloping gently from northwest to southeast.
Highest elevation is 4,973 feet above sea level at Black Mesa in the northwestern corner of
the Panhandle; lowest, 287 feet, is near Idabel in the extreme southeast. Approximately
one-fourth of the state’s total area is forested, principally the region bordering Missouri
and Arkansas. Although part of the Great Plains, Oklahoma has four mountain ranges: the
Ouachita in the southeast, the Ozark Plateau in the northeast, the Arbuckle in the south
central part of the state, and the Wichita in the southwest. Geographic center of the state is
eight miles north of Oklahoma City.
Source—Office of State Geographer
 Oklahoma In Brief  11

Grasslands
Grass areas are abundant within Oklahoma’s boundaries and are used for grazing. The
grasses in the western sections are primarily short and mixed. Tall grasses are found in the
northern and eastern sections of the state. Oklahoma’s National Grasslands—Black Kettle
District, Roger Mills County; and Rita Bianca District, Cimarron County—have been a part
of the U.S. Forest Service since the 1950s. The Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural
Resources Conservation Service) originally administered the program designed to demon-
strate good, sound principles in grassland agriculture. In addition, the Nature Conservancy
manages a Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County, consisting of 39,000 acres of rolling
hills at the southern end of the Flint Hills
Source—Atlas of Oklahoma (Wikle, Ed.), Office of State Geographer

Minerals
Oklahoma’s enormous mineral reserve can be divided into three types of mineral products:
mineral fuels, metals, and non-metals. Mineral fuels are materials that can be burned, such
as petroleum (crude oil and natural gas), and coal. These account for more than 90 percent
of Oklahoma’s annual mineral output. Metals are substances that can be melted and molded
into any shape desired and are usually hard and heat resistant. There presently are no metals
mined in Oklahoma. Zinc and lead are the principal metals previously mined in Oklahoma,
but copper, manganese, iron, and uranium also were produced. A non-metal (industrial
mineral) is any rock, mineral or other select naturally occurring or synthetic material of
economic value often used in combination with other materials, such as sand and stone
used in concrete. The principal industrial minerals produced in Oklahoma include crushed
stone, portland cement, construction sand and gravel, industrial sand and gravel, iodine,
and gypsum. Other Oklahoma non-metals include tripoli, feldspar, helium, common clay,
granite, salt, volcanic ash, and lime.
Source—Oklahoma Geological Survey, www.ou.edu/special/ogs-pttc

Vegetation
The natural vegetation of Oklahoma can be divided into three large categories: grasslands,
savannahs and woodlands, and forests. Grasslands of various kinds are found in all parts
of the state, but they are the dominant natural vegetation in the drier and more elevated
western regions.
The savannah and woodlands types of vegetation are found in all parts of the state, with the
exception of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ozark Plateau. Large forest areas are located in
eastern Oklahoma where rainfall is sufficient for good tree growth and the local topography
is too rough for agricultural use other than grazing.
Source—Atlas of Oklahoma (Wikle, Ed.); Office of State Geographer

Recreation
Oklahoma has fifty state parks and resorts, and numerous wildlife refuges and recreation
areas, offering a wealth of outdoor adventure, including fishing, camping, mountain biking,
horseback riding, rappelling, scuba diving, and golf. Tourist attractions include elements
from a rich cowboy heritage; American Indian history; and unspoiled, diverse natural beauty.
The fabled “Main Street of America,” Route 66, crosses Oklahoma for more than 392 miles.
12  Oklahoma Almanac

The Tourism and Recreation Department produces brochures and Internet sites (www.
oktlatourism.gov) to help travelers learn about Oklahoma. Call 405/521–2413, or write the
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, 120 N Robinson, Sixth Floor, Oklahoma
City 73102.
Source—Tourism and Recreation Department, www.oklatourism.gov

Water
In Oklahoma, there are approximately 500 named rivers and creeks, many of them short
and intermittent during much of the year. Oklahoma’s terrain is dominated by two major
river basins: northern Oklahoma and much of the central part of the state is in the drainage
basin of the Arkansas River; the remainder of the state is in the drainage basin of the Red
River. Except for the rivers flowing from the Ozark Plateau or the Ouachita Mountains, the
streams in Oklahoma flow in a general eastward direction. Water leaves the state through
four watercourses (the Red, Arkansas and Little rivers, and Lee Creek), flowing into Arkansas.
The Scenic Rivers of Oklahoma have such exceptional beauty and recreational value that
six of them have been officially designated as scenic rivers, and are protected by the state
legislature. One scenic river is in the Red River System—the upper part of Mountain Fork
which flows into Broken Bow Lake in the Ouachita Mountains. The other five scenic rivers
are in the Arkansas River System, in the Ozark Plateau, and include parts of the Illinois River
and parts of Flint, Baron Fork, Lee, and Little Lee creeks.
Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, with more than one million
surface acres of water and 2,000 more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
combined. All of the large lakes in Oklahoma are man-made. They were developed—most
of the 60 major reservoirs constructed by the federal government—to control flooding and
for conservation purposes, navigation, recreation, power, and municipal water supplies.
The state has lakes ranging from 890 acres to 105,000 acres (Lake Eufaula). Other large lakes
are: Texoma, Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Fort Gibson, Oologah, Kerr, Pine Creek, Broken
Bow, Keystone, and Tenkiller. The state’s largest groundwater basin, the Ogallala Aquifer in
western Oklahoma, contains 86.6 million acre-feet of supply—enough to cover the entire
state two feet deep.
Source—Atlas of Oklahoma (Wikle, Ed.), Office of State Geographer, Oklahoma Water Resources
Board, www.owrb.state.ok.us; Oklahoma Geological Survey, www.ogs.ou.edu

Wildlife
Once the hunting and trading ground of many Indian tribes, Oklahoma boasts five big game
species, including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys in all seventy-seven counties. Mule
deer inhabit the northwestern quarter of the state, and pronghorn antelope populations
in the Panhandle have expanded to allow a special hunt for that species. Elk are present in
the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and have been introduced in the eastern
part of the state. Among smaller upland game, the bobwhite quail still reigns supreme.
Pheasant populations in the Panhandle remain stable and provide quality hunting oppor-
tunities. Scaled quail, squirrels, and rabbits are other fall favorites for hunters, along with
migratory birds such as doves, ducks, and geese. Among native sport fish, the largemouth
bass, small-mouth and spotted bass, channel, blue, and flathead catfish, white bass, crap-
pie, and sunfish are popular. Hybrid stripers and saugeye have provided a fishing boom in
some parts of the state, along with walleye and striped bass. Rainbow trout can be caught
from eight designated trout fishing areas, and brown trout in the lower Illinois River and
lower Mountain Fork trout areas.
Source—Department of Wildlife Conservation, www.wildlifedepartment.com
 13

Sooner State Gazette

In this second edition of the Gazette, we highlight some of the statewide stories that had
Oklahomans talking.

Breaking Glass
Even before Mary Fallin rode into the governor’s office on a GOP wave in November of 2010,
Oklahoma was already on track to make history by electing its first female chief executive
officer. That accomplishment was assured when both Fallin and Democrat Jari Askins won
their parties’ nominations on primary night. The Oklahoman reported that the match-up
was “only the fourth time in American history that both major political parties selected
women as their (gubernatorial) nominees.” No matter how the final results turned out, an
Oklahoma woman would break the state’s ultimate political glass ceiling.

Welcome Back to a One-Party State

For almost all of Oklahoma’s young history, state government has been dominated by one
party. For close to a century it was in the hands of the Democrats. (Voters did try a Repub-
lican house in 1921, but they swiftly returned the chamber to the Democrats in the next
Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman.

Askins and Fallin campaigned in a historic 2010 gubernatorial race.

14  Oklahoma Almanac

election.) While Oklahomans might elect a Republican for Governor or other statewide
office, the two chambers remained in Democratic hands. As noted in the 2001–2002 Okla-
homa Almanac’s feature on Oklahoma’s political history, “Historically, Republicans have
often dominated national-level politics in Oklahoma, but state-level politics have remained
staunchly Democratic. However, Republicans are making inroads.” They continued to make
inroads throughout the century’s first decade. The GOP won the house for the second time in
2005, and the senate for the first time in 2009. Both chambers remain in Republican hands.
In the 2010 elections, voters filled every statewide elected position with a Republican for
the first time in history. Oklahoma’s brief flirtation with two-party politics in the last decade
may have been just that. Oklahoma is a one-party state again, but now the party is different.

The Unhealthy Truth

Oklahomans have become somewhat inured to the state’s habitually low rankings in state-
to-state comparisons. Still, the annual release of the State of the State’s Health from the
Oklahoma State Department of Health gives the sunniest Oklahomans reasons for heartburn.
The latest report card, from 2008 data, shows state residents remain more likely to suffer
and die from heart attack, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and injury than the average U.S. citizen.
Oklahomans use tobacco more, are less physically active, and suffer from obesity more than
their national counterparts. They are also more likely to kill themselves. Total mortality in
the state in 2008 averaged 918.7 per 100,000 in population, versus the 799.4 national figure.
Compounding the problem: more adults in the state are uninsured (20.1% vs. the 14.2% U.S.
average) and more Oklahomans are poor (14% vs. 12.2% nationally).

The Hunger
A state that is struggling with an obesity epidemic is also struggling with the problem of
hunger. “In Oklahoma, the USDA has rated us #4 in hunger of all the states,” said Cindy Ste-
vens, director of marketing and communications for the Community Food Bank of Eastern
Oklahoma, in a December 2010 Urban Tulsa Weekly article. The Sooner State is tied with
Mississippi. Only Maine, Oregon, and Alabama are hungrier. Stevens said the state’s food
pantries are experiencing a 40% increase in people needing help since 2008 due to con- Photo courtesy of Muldrow First Assembly of God

This little metal building in Sequoyah County has a big mission. Since 2002, the Fruit of the Vine Outreach
Ministry in Muldrow has distributed more than 678,000 pounds of food to almost 12,000 households at-risk
for hunger in Eastern Oklahoma.
 Oklahoma In Brief  15

Oklahoma’s four-year-old kids have the best access to pre-school programs in the nation.

tinuing effects of the recession. At the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City,
director Rodney Bivens says food distribution could increase to 42 million pounds by June
2011; up from 36.5 million pounds last fiscal year. According to an article in The Oklahoman,
the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program is serving more than 11,000
chronically hungry children at more than 350 elementary schools in 48 counties. Governor
Fallin’s statewide inaugural activity focused on the problem of hunger. The Inaugural Food
Drive raised more than 20,000 pounds of food and $100,000 to provide 680,000 meals to
hungry Oklahomans.

Our 4–Year-Olds are Number One!

Oklahoma’s state-funded Early Childhood Four-Year-Old Program continues to serve as
inspiration for other states who want to increase early childhood education. According to
The State of Preschool 2009, published by the National Institute for Early Education Research,
“Oklahoma has ranked first in the nation every year (since 2003–2004) for serving the high-
est percentage of 4–year-old children in state-funded preschool. Also, greater proportions
of 4–year-olds are now attending full-day programs rather than half-day programs across
the state.” As good as this news is, other states may be eclipsing Oklahoma’s gains since the
Sooner State does not provide a program for 3–year-old children. Still, the report states,
“While there are no specific state funds for 3–year-olds, 153 Oklahoma school districts have
taken the initiative to offer classroom programs for these students.”

¡Hola! Nă hăo! Namaste!

Just-released 2010 Census figures reveal that three out of four Oklahoma counties showed
increases in the last decade in the numbers of foreign-born residents, according to The
Oklahoman. Five percent of Oklahoma’s total population fits this category, and the state
ranks 32nd in the nation for number of residents born outside the U.S. Nationally, 12.5% of
the nation’s population was born in a foreign country. Meeting the changing face of our
state is easier in some areas than others. Counties west of Interstate 35 generally attracted
more foreign-born than those east of the highway, with the exceptions of Tulsa and Marshall
16  Oklahoma Almanac

counties. Once again, Texas County had the highest percentage of foreign-born residents at
21.3%, up from 16.9% in 2000. Of the state’s estimated 190,000 residents (documented and
undocumented) born outside the United States, 60% are from Latin American countries,
24% are from Asian countries, and 8% are from Europe.

Please Dial 539

Oklahoma now has a fourth area code joining 405, 580, and 918. Unlike the introduction of
580, which “split” the 405 area into two different regions, new area code 539 will share the
918 region in an “overlay” plan. As of April 1, 2011, all new numbers assigned to the region
are issued a 539 area code. The overlay plan also means that folks in the 918 area have now
entered the age of mandatory 10–digit dialing.

Broadband to the Future

Oklahoma received a $74 million dollar grant
from the U.S. Department of Commerce, via
the federal stimulus program, to add 1,000
miles of fiber optic cable to the state’s broad-
band network. The cable will be installed
along 13 segments of interstates and highways
in 33 counties, according to an article in The Oklahoman. Meanwhile, the U. S. Department
of Agriculture has given millions more to state tribes and telecommunications companies to
expand broadband capabilities. The Oklahoma Department of Libraries has also received a
grant to implement “OKconnect,” a project that will increase Internet speed and bring video
conferencing capabilities to 45 rural libraries in the state. The mission of all of these projects:
expand economic opportunity, and meet the educational, informational, and e-government
needs of the state’s citizens.

An OK Economy in the News

Throughout the Great Recession, Oklahomans have been treated to some rather glowing
articles and features from the national press. In general, these articles and cable TV stories
tout the state’s ability to weather the tough times better than other areas of the country, with
Oklahoma City and Tulsa regularly landing on lists with titles like “top recession proof cities”
and “top cities for small businesses.” USA Today even published an article about an influx
of Californians to the Sooner State, citing the irony of this reverse Grapes of Wrath story.
While the recession was a little kinder to this state, leaders have also pointed out that recent
success also reflects efforts to diversify the economy following the 1980’s oil bust. In a Wall
Street Journal article from September 2010, former State Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley
discussed Oklahoma’s efforts in developing incentive packages to recruit targeted industries
with higher wages, including engineering, aerospace, and biotech. Such a package recently
helped attract Boeing jobs to Oklahoma from California. As for bioscience, it’s becoming a
promising star of the Oklahoma economy. OKC Biz magazine says this industry could be
“well on its way to becoming the goose that lays the golden egg.”
If the recession has imparted any lessons, it’s that no economic sector is immune to a
downturn. The memory of the dot-com bust of the 1990s, and its particular impact on the
Tulsa economy, is still too fresh. Plus, none of this promise and expansion has dethroned
the state’s energy sector. Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the
state’s 6.6% GDP growth from 2008 to 2009, was mostly due to a 7.2% growth in “mining,”
which means mostly “oil and gas” in the Sooner State.
oklahoma
18

Route 66
R
oute 66 is more than a highway. It has been described as a “linear community.”
It is a group of people bound together by time, circumstances, and the road.
Individuals who have traveled on Route 66 over the years have done so for many
different reasons. Each traveler’s experience was unique, although many shared
commonalities. Some developed a bond with the highway, and others held a
connection with the places or people who lived and
worked on the road.
During my high school days, I lived less
than a mile from Route 66 in Yukon,
Oklahoma. The road had evolved
over the years (it had been widened
to four lanes in Yukon), but many
of the local businesses remained.
I cannot count the times I have
traveled Route 66 to the towns west
of Yukon. I can recall the impact
Interstate 40 had on some of the small
towns along Route 66 out west. I often
debated whether progress is always a good
thing, especially when it seemed to have an Route 66 in Yukon, circa 1950s
adverse affect on people’s lives.
For those readers old enough to remember Route 66 when it served as one of the nation’s
main transportation arteries, the following pages will reacquaint you with the highway. For
younger readers, you will have the opportunity to learn a little about the history of Route 66
and its impact on American society. I want to challenge every reader to learn more about
this iconic highway. For that purpose, a bibliography on Route 66 appears in this section.
The 2011–2012 Oklahoma Almanac, and in particular the section on Route 66, could not have
been accomplished without the assistance of several individuals. I would like to thank my
colleagues at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries who have provided valuable resources to
me. In addition, my sincere thanks to Chad Williams and the wonderful staff at the Oklahoma
History Center’s Research Division. In addition, Melvena Heisch and Lynda Schwan at the
State Historic Preservation Office provided information regarding the historic properties on
Route 66. I want to especially thank noted Route 66 author and historian Michael Wallis,
who shared his knowledge and insight of the historic highway. For the theme section, I relied
heavily on the following works regarding Route 66: The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History
and Culture; Route 66: The Highway and its People by Quinta Scott and Susan Croce Kelly;
Route 66: The Mother Road by Michael Wallis; “Route 66 Corridor: National Historic Context
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Study,” by Michael Cassity; and The Route 66 Cookbook by Marian Clark.

I always made a point of telling my history students that if they really wanted to get a better
understanding of America, they needed to avoid the nation’s major highway systems. Today,
Route 66 is undergoing a revitalization as individuals and groups continue to work supporting
the highway’s preservation and promotion. I want to encourage you to take a day or two and
travel this legendary highway in Oklahoma. You will be amazed at the people you will meet
and the places you can visit traveling on the Mother Road.
Connie G. Armstrong  •  Editor
 19

Birth of an Icon
A
merica was on the move in the early twentieth century. Henry Ford’s assembly
line production, implemented in 1913, gave rise to the automobile culture
in American society. Mass production coupled with the introduction of
installment financing made cars affordable to ordinary citizens. Automobiles
were no longer considered a luxury item reserved only for the wealthy. More
than anything else, the automobile symbolized American freedom. Individuals flocked
to local car dealerships to purchase the latest models, and by the end of the 1920s over 23
million cars were on the nation’s roads. In 1926 Oklahomans owned approximately 500,000
cars.
The United States, however, desperately needed new roads and highways to handle the
increasing amount of traffic. Most of America’s roadways were dirt roads, and when the rain
and snow fell many were impassable. Prior to the establishment of interstate highways, “auto
trails” created by private individuals and organizations such as the Ozark Trails Association
and the Oklahoma Good Roads Association dotted the American landscape. These auto clubs
and road associations advocated for improved roads and road construction. Roads remained
primarily the responsibility of private road associations as well as state and local governments
that often lacked the necessary funds for maintenance and construction. The growing public
demand for road improvement and new road construction resulted in federal legislation.
The U.S. Congress passed two major highway acts dealing with the nation’s roadways. The
1916 Federal Highway Act provided federal matching funds for road construction. Moreover,
the Federal Highway Act of 1921 mandated the construction of interstate highways.
Photograph courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society

Early twentieth century thoroughfares remained primarily dirt roads. Inclement weather
left many roads impassable.
20  Oklahoma Almanac

The influx of federal funding resulted in the creation of highways across the
country. The American Association of State Highway Officials approved
approximately 40,000 miles of interstate highways. The group designated
north-south routes with odd numbers, while east-west routes were even
numbered. Plans had been in place for a highway connecting Chicago,
Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. Realizing the potential economic impact
on the state, Oklahoman Cyrus Avery worked tirelessly to ensure the new
highway would go through Oklahoma. Although contention erupted among
state leaders regarding the numbering of several interstate highways, Avery
along with Missouri Chief Engineer B.H. Piepmeier offered to compromise
and proposed 66 for the Chicago to Los Angeles highway. On November 11,
1926, U.S. Highway 66 became the official name of the interstate highway
designated to link Chicago and Los Angeles.
It is important to note, Route 66 was comprised of already established roads
as well as pre-existing road plans. The official highway marker featured a
shield with the number 66 in the middle. The approximate 2,448–mile route
stretched across eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona, and California. Initially, Route 66 consisted of 800 miles of
paved roads, while the remaining 1,648 miles of highway were paved by 1938.
Route 66 stretched 423 miles across Oklahoma and consisted primarily of the
Ozark Trails Road and the Postal Highway. When the road was designated
in 1926, only one-quarter of the highway featured pavement. Towns and
cities along Route 66 in Oklahoma
include Ottawa, (far northeastern
part of the state) Quapaw, Miami,
Vinita, Tulsa, Stroud, Arcadia,
Oklahoma City, Bethany, Yukon,
El Reno, Weatherford, Clinton, Elk
City and Texola.
Once Route 66 became a reality,
individuals formed the U.S.
Highway 66 Association (Route
66 Association) to promote the
highway on a national level as well
as create economic development
along the road. The association
published and distributed travel
brochures to encourage Americans
to travel the highway.
In 1928 Charles C. Pyle, a sports
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Libraries

promoter, announced he would

host a transcontinental footrace
from Los Angeles, to New York.
Known as the “Bunion Derby,”
the first leg of the race would
follow Route 66 from California
to Chicago. Local newspapers
reported on the race and kept their
readers informed regarding the day Program for the 1928 “Bunion Derby”
and time the race would come through their respective towns. Some cities
and towns along the route experienced huge crowds of people wanting to get
 Route 66  21

The U.S. Highway 66 Association official car

a glimpse of the runners. Out of the field of 199 runners, Oklahoman Andy
Payne won the race as well as the $25,000 first prize. More importantly, the
event drew both national and international attention to Route 66.
Route 66 also received national attention when the U.S. Highway 66 Association
ran an advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post. Noting the ease of travel as
well as other attributes along Route 66, the advertisement enticed Americans
to travel westward along the highway to the 1932 Summer Olympic games
in Los Angeles. Historian Michael Cassity notes that the promotion of Route
66 appeared to have a positive impact in Oklahoma. The number of vehicles
traveling the highway through the Sooner State more than doubled from 547
in 1926 to 1,338 in1930. Ten percent of these travelers came from Oklahoma
towns not located along Route 66 or out-of-state.
Oklahoma oilmen Frank and L.E. Phillips also capitalized on the popularity
of Route 66 to promote both the highway and their petroleum company. The
Phillips Petroleum Company, based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, opened its
first gasoline service station in Wichita, Kansas, in close proximity to Route
66. As a marketing tool, the company adopted the number 66 as well as
the highway shield in its logo. Phillips 66 became one of the most popular
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

gasoline service station companies in the country.

Route 66’s economic impact could be seen as businesses along the highway
increased. Often times, businesses would move from their location in town
to an area along the highway. Roadside camps and camping grounds, diners,
and gas stations began to appear as more and more people traveled the route.
While many individuals embraced the new potential opportunities Route
66 promised, other Americans viewed the roadway with a sense of anxiety.
The question for many local business owners: “Would Route 66 ultimately
destroy the local economy?”
22  Oklahoma Almanac

The Ozark Trails section of Route 66, in Lincoln County

American society was changing rapidly in the early twentieth century, and
the automobile culture played major roles in the transformation. One of the
major entities born from the automobile culture was the interstate highway
system. America became united geographically with the development
of a national highway system. Among these systems, one highway would
gain the hearts and minds of the American people. Route 66 became an
American icon, and it continues to be one of the nation’s most well-known
and beloved highways.

Bibliography—Michael Cassity, “Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in

Oklahoma, 1926–1970,” (Statement of Context for the National Register of Historic Places,
National Park Service, 2002); James A. Henretta, America’s History Since 1865, (New York:
Worth Publishers, 1993); Quinta Scott and Susan Croce Kelly, Route 66: The Highway and
its People, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988); Michael Wallis, Route 66: The
Mother Road, (New York: Saint Martin’s Press, 1990).
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society
 23

Father of
Route 66
I
t has been said that “necessity is the mother of invention.”
That statement was certainly applicable regarding early
road and highway development, especially in the area that
is now Oklahoma. The Oklahoma and Indian territories fell
behind in road development in the late nineteenth and early Cyrus Avery, intrumental in
twentieth centuries. The majority of the territories’ roadways getting the new interstate
were associated with tribal lands. Privately operated auto trails highway for Oklahoma
and public roadways remained almost non-existent. However, the twin territories’ population
exploded with the land runs of 1889 and 1893 as well as the discovery of oil in the early 1900s.
By the time the automobile became a prominent fixture in American society, Oklahomans,
along with the entire country, realized the need for road improvement and interstate highway
contruction. Yet, America’s highway system could not have been achieved if not for the hard
work and dedication of certain individuals who stood on the forefront advocating for better
transportation routes. One such individual was Oklahoman Cyrus Avery. The existence of
Route 66 is attributed to Avery, also known as “The Father of Route 66.”
Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Missouri, Avery moved to Oklahoma Territory in
1901, where he became a successful businessman with ventures in insurance, real estate,
farming and ranching, and the oil and gas industry. After living in Oklahoma City, and
Vinita, he settled in Tulsa in 1907 with his wife and young children. Avery realized the vital
importance new roads and an interstate highway system would have on Oklahoma. These
new transporation routes would tie communities and individuals together and provide
a major economic stimulus. Although he understood the positive ramifications of road
building and improvement, he needed the support of both the public and private sector
to make it a reality.
In 1912 Avery convinced Oklahoma Governor Lee Cruce to declare a “road holiday,” to focus
attention on the state’s road conditions. The event’s success resulted in his election as Tulsa
County Commissioner in 1913, a position he held through 1916. As commissioner, Avery
successfully lobbied the state legislature to pass a law granting county commissioners the
authority to build roads in their counties. Moreover, he implemented the “split-log drag
system” for the upkeep of existing roads that resulted in 150 miles of well-maintained roads
in Tulsa County.
Avery’s road initiatives were popular among Tulsa County residents, and his involvement
with road improvement and development soon led his efforts out-of-state. In 1917 he formed
the Albert Pike Highway Association, serving as the organization’s president through 1926.
His work with the association led to the construction of U.S. 64, a highway linking Colorado
Springs, Colorado, and Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In 1921 Avery became president of the Associated Highways of America, an organized
group of forty-two highway associations throughout the United States. Two years later, he
was appointed to the Oklahoma State Highway Commission, and became the three-man
commission’s first chairman. As chairman, Avery made a significant impact on Oklahoma’s
roadways. He designed the state’s highway system and developed and implemented a system
24  Oklahoma Almanac

to mark the new roads. Moreover, he developed a program to ensure the new
roads would be maintained.
Beginning in 1924, Avery found himself in a position to make a major impact
on America’s roadways. That year, Avery attended the American Association
of State Highway Officials national convention. The membership formally
requested the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to implement a national highway
system. As a result, the agriculture secretary appointed a board comprised
of both federal and state highway officials that included Avery. The board’s
task was to plan and provide a numbering system for a national highway
system. Avery played an integral role in the development of the new highway
system. As a member of the executive board, he was granted the authority
to approve the highway system’s final plans.
Avery took advantage of his position. Working in conjunction with Frank
Sheets from Illinois and B.H. Piepmier from Missouri, Avery set out to create
a highway from Chicago to the California coast. He designed the route to
include Oklahoma with the route passing through Tulsa and Oklahoma
City. Initially, Avery had chosen the number “60” for his highway. However,
Avery’s group soon became embroiled with officials from North Carolina
and Kentucky who were advocating the number “60” for their route. Under
the threat that Congress might become involved in the national highway
system, Avery acquiesced, and agreed to the number “66” for the Chicago
to Los Angeles route.
Avery’s dedication to bring an interstate highway through Oklahoma came
to fruition in 1926, when the federal government approved plans for U.S.
Highway 66 that would connect Chicago and Los Angeles. The highway would
follow a twenty-six mile route through Avery’s beloved Tulsa County. Once

Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Envelope from U.S. Highway 66 Association of Oklahoma’s “The Main Street of America” campaign
 Route 66  25

The skywalk at Tulsa’s Cyrus Avery Plaza

the U.S. Highway 66 legislation was signed, Avery set out to ensure the road’s
success. He helped organize the U.S. Highway 66 Association, although he
declined to serve as the group’s president. The association’s purpose was
to provide a public relations and marketing program for the new highway.
Avery advocated naming the highway “The Main Street of America.” Avery
also focused his efforts on getting the entire highway paved, a task that was
finally completed in 1938.
Avery continued his civic involvement and remained active in his private
business ventures throughout his life. He died on July 2, 1963, in California.
The citizens of Oklahoma recognized his efforts to make Tulsa and Oklahoma
a better place to live. Tulsa’s Vision 2025 initiative put forth money to help
construct the Cyrus Avery Plaza, located at Tulsa’s iconic 11th Street Bridge,
to honor his achievement in making Route 66 a reality. The project includes
repairs to the bridge; a plaza that features views of the bridge and flags from
the eight states incorporating Route 66; a skywalk with an observation deck;
and a sculpture entitled “East Meets West,” featuring Avery in a Model-T car.
A new Route 66 museum is also planned near the site.

Bibliography—Rute Stigler Avery, “Cyrus Stevens Avery,” Chronicles of Oklahoma 45

(Spring 1967): 84–91; Michael Cassity, “Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in
Oklahoma, 1926–1970,” (Statement of Context for the National Register of Historic Places,
National Park Service, 2002); Dianna Everett, “Cyrus Avery,” Encyclopedia of Oklahoma
History and Culture, (Oklahoma City: Oklahoma Historical Society, 2010); James A. Henretta,
America’s History Since 1865, (New York: Worth Publishers, 1993); Quinta Scott and Susan
Photograph courtesy Vision 2025

Croce Kelly, Route 66: The Highway and its People, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press,
1988); Michael Wallis, Route 66: The Mother Road, (New York: Saint Martin’s Press, 1990).
26

The Mother Road

It has been called the “Main Street of America,” the “Will Rogers Highway,” and “The Mother
Road.” Regardless of its name, Route 66 has made an indelible mark on American history and
culture. Over the years, the highway has meant different things to different people. For some
it offered an escape; for others it provided economic opportunity; and for many it offered
a sense of adventure. In fact, the remaining sections of Route 66 still offer these options to
Americans, as the road continues to inspire nostalgic travels and economic opportunities.
But to understand the impact of Route 66 when it was literally the main street to the west, is to
understand American society when it was in the throes of a fundamental societal transition.

The 1930s

T
he heyday of the “Roaring Twenties” ended on Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, when
the stock market crashed. Massive consumer consumption gave way to frugality
as millions of Americans attempted to cope with a downward spiraling economy.
Between 1931 and 1933 business investment plummeted 88 percent. Rural and
urban banks closed. In 1932 approximately 32,000 American businesses failed,
and by the end of the year, unemployment reached an astounding 24.9 percent. Moreover,
people living in the Great Plains region also had to contend with the crippling economic
and ecological effects of the Dust Bowl.

Dust storm in Oklahoma

Although the Dust Bowl affected several states such as Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, and
New Mexico, the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles saw the worst ecological devastation. In
an attempt to keep up with the high demand for wheat and to increase their profits during
World War I, a large number of farmers engaged in agricultural techniques that stripped the
land of its natural vegetation. Initially, the farming technique did not appear to cause any
significant harm to the landscape. However, during the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Great
Plains region experienced a severe drought and wind erosion. At times without warning,
huge dust storms would appear on the horizon and sweep across rural and urban areas,
 Route 66  27

A family heads west on ‘66, hoping for “better times.”

dumping massive amounts of dirt in their path. The dust storms ravaged
both the landscape and individual lives. Many farmers, both land owners
and tenants, could no longer make a living. Foreclosures often occurred, and
many farmers joined other unemployed Americans in seeking employment
elsewhere.
With so many people out of work, America became a transient society.
Some individuals traveled the rails, hitching rides in boxcars, going from
town to town looking for employment. Those who could scrape enough
money together for gasoline traveled by car. Route 66 served as an avenue
of escape for people reeling from the Great Depression as well as the Dust
Bowl. Thousands of farm families packed their meager belongings on the
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

family car or truck and headed west on the road. These farmers and other
displaced individuals were lured by handbills promising agricultural work
in California. On average, the trip from Oklahoma to California took three-
to-four days on Route 66. It has been estimated 500,000 migrant workers
(referred to as Okies), made the trip westward along Route 66 between
1935 and 1940. Some 309,000 Oklahomans left the state during this same
time period. Although African Americans and Hispanics were among the
migration, the overwhelming majority were White. John Steinbeck detailed
the plight of these migrants in his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath, referring
to Route 66 as the “Mother Road.” However, once these migrants arrived in
28  Oklahoma Almanac

California’s “promised land,” their dreams of a better life were often broken
as an overabundant labor supply drove down wages. Historian James Gregory
notes that only 8 percent of those afflicted by the Dust Bowl actually stayed
in California.
While Route 66 provided an exodus and an avenue for travel for thousands of
Americans, it also offered hope for those individuals who saw the economic
opportunities associated with the highway. The Great Depression did not
deter these entrepreneurs. Middle and upper class Americans continued to
take vacations during the 1930s, and many ventured westward along Route
66. These vacationers stimulated the economies along Route 66. In addition,
easterners came to experience the different people groups living along the
highway. This often resulted in the commercialization of many of these
cultures as local merchants began marketing artwork, customs, trinkets, and
other items associated with a particular group. The people living, working,
and travelling along Route 66 witnessed other changes as well. Many local
business owners adapted to meet travelers’ needs and compete for their
business. For them, the Mother Road held the key to their economic stability.
Since the road’s beginning in 1926, these local investors put forth their time
and money and established businesses along the highway. During the 1930s
these businesses began to evolve to meet the needs of their changing clientele.
One such transformation took place in the lodging industry.
Before the establishment of Route 66 and other interstate highways, grand
hotels could be found in urban areas and along train routes. Some were
independently owned, while others, such as the Harvey Houses, were chain
outlets. They primarily serviced the wealthy or middle class incomes. As travel
along Route 66 began, locally owned tourist camps began to appear on the
landscape. These free establishments provided accommodations to people
of all socioeconomic backgrounds. As time progressed, cabin camps and
tourists courts that charged a modest fee began to replace these free camps.

Postcard illustrating motel found on Route 66 in Tulsa

 Route 66  29

These locally owned predecessors to motels were inexpensive to build, often

built in a “U” shaped pattern, and offered amenities to travelers such as a
central bath, coffee shop, and furniture in the room. However, those destitute
individuals with no money were forced to camp on a roadside, or if they were
lucky, trade a portion of their meager belongings for food, gas, or lodging.
By the late 1930s, corporate tourist courts began to make an appearance on
Route 66. In 1936 the Alamo Plaza Courts, based in Texas, built in Oklahoma
City. Other lodging chains would follow.
In addition to lodging establishments, gas stations also experienced a
transformation. In the 1920s and early 1930s, locally owned gas stations
could be found along Route 66. However, large petroleum companies soon
began to open chain service stations along the nation’s highway systems.
Along Route 66 in Oklahoma, such chain operations as Conoco, Phillips
66, Sinclair, and Texaco began to replace the local, independent owner.
These regional chains offered both employment opportunities to local
citizens and full-service to their customers. Travelers could expect several
courteous, knowledgeable attendants who provided a wide-range of services
including pumping gas, checking the oil and tire pressure, filling the radiator,
and washing windshields. Moreover, these service stations were easily
recognizable, because each had their own distinct, architectural style. For
example, Phillips 66 featured
brick cottages with chimneys,
and Texaco stations were
constructed in a box pattern
with rounded corners located
at the office. Stations also
featured a distinct logo. Phillips
66 incorporated the highway
shield with the number 66 in
its logo; Texaco signs featured
a red star; Conoco, who bought
out Oklahoma owned Marland
Oil Company, featured a red
triangle; and Sinclair offered
the green dinosaur.
Also located along Route 66 in
close proximity to lodging and
service stations were the local
diners or restaurants. At times,
these cafes employed short-
term cooks, but oftentimes
the cook was the owner.
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

These local eateries provided

customers with a taste of local
cuisine, often featuring locally
grown food. Although these
cafes remained popular along
Route 66 during the 1930s,
chain restaurants began to
make a mark. For example,
Route 66 Sinclair gas station [top] • Triple XXX Thirst Stations were Beverly’s Chicken in the Rough
among the many restaurant chains capitalizing on Route 66 traffic.
30  Oklahoma Almanac

restaurant chain, based on Route 66 in Oklahoma City, began to market its

menu items to other restaurants. In addition, XXX Thirst Stations (Triple X
Root Beer) became a prominent feature in several towns along Route 66.
While the private sector continued to create travel and business along the
highway, the public sector also provided an economic stimulus.
The federal government continued to provide funding for highway
construction and maintenance under the administrations of both Herbert
Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, it was the five-billion-dollar
appropriation to the Works Progress Administration that signaled a dramatic
increase in federal spending on the nation’s highways. This resulted in jobs
for hundreds of men who found work on road crews along Route 66.
In addition to increased spending, the federal government also implemented
new regulations for highway construction in the 1930s. Crews along Route 66
widened and poured concrete pavement at a greater depth to accommodate
the increase in commercial trucking and farm equipment. Commercial
trucking began to replace railroads as the nation’s manufacturers utilized
this new transportation system to ship their products across the country. Two
major trucking industries emerged in Oklahoma during the Great Depression
years: Lee Way and Mistletoe Express. Lee Way began as a bus stage line
providing travelers transportation along Route 66 from Oklahoma City to New
Mexico. Mistletoe Express, owned and operated by Oklahoma businessman
and newspaper publisher E.K. Gaylord, initially delivered copies of The Daily
Oklahoman to remote areas of the state. Other heavy trucking companies
traversed Route 66, many servicing the local businesses located along the
highway. Residents in Oklahoma towns such as Bridgeport, Calumet, and
Geary, however, witnessed Route 66’s realignment and reconstruction away
from their locale. While some of these Oklahoma towns survived, others
became ghost towns as the highway took away travelers integral to their
local economies.

Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Lee Way Stages—from Oklahoma to points west

 Route 66  31

The 1930s brought with it a time of anxiety and despair for many Americans. Others, however,
took advantage of the opportunities provided by a transitional society. As the American
social and economic landscapes evolved, so did the people associated with Route 66. At the
beginning of the decade, locally owned businesses prevailed along the highway, but as the
decade closed out, those mom and pop stores were frequently being replaced by regional
or national chains. The highway would again change in the 1940s, as America found itself
involved in another world war.

World War II

A
dolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany during the 1930s, and his subsequent
invasion of Poland in 1939, catapulted Europe into war. Although President
Franklin D. Roosevelt had assured anxious Americans that he would not send
their sons to fight in a foreign war, America had been mobilizing its war efforts.
For example, American foreign policy included the Lend-Lease program whereby
the United States provided military equipment, munitions, and other supplies to England.
The Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941,
thrust America into World War II. America’s highway systems, and in particular Route 66,
would play a vital role in the nation’s war effort.
The War Department had selected areas in the southwestern part of the country as well as the
West Coast for military preparedness. Route 66 served as a primary roadway for the nation’s
war effort, and as a result, the highway received additional federal funding for improvements.
Along Route 66, or in its close proximity, military bases and training facilities as well as
naval shipyards were established. Moreover, factories producing military armaments or
ammunition depots could be found on or near the highway. Oklahoma was home to war
production plants and munition depots. The state also became home to military bases such
as Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma County, and Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base located
near Burns Flat. The military industries had a significant impact on local economies. They
provided employment to both military personnel and civilians. Moreover, the increased
payrolls provided an influx of dollars into other local businesses in towns along the highway.
The war resulted in another major population shift across the country. Although migration
took place all over the nation as people moved between rural and urban, state to state,
and region to region, the greatest movement involved people moving west, primarily to
California. The federal government appropriated millions of dollars to the war industry
effort in California. During the war years, 10 percent of all federal expenditures went to
California, and the state turned out one-sixth of all war materials produced. During the
war, approximately three million people migrated to California to take a job in the defense
industry or to report to a military base. Many of these migrants traveled Route 66 out west.
Military convoys or individual soldiers on their way to report for duty in the southwest
also traveled on Route 66. Many local cafe owners along the highway provided free meals
to troops as their way of showing their appreciation for their service. Americans would be
asked to show their patriotism in other ways.
In 1942 the last automobile of the World War II-era rolled off a Ford assembly plant. New
automobiles were among the many items Americans sacrificed to ensure an Allied victory.
The federal government rationed a variety of products essential to the war effort, including
rubber, tires, gasoline, and fuel oil. The U.S. Congress also imposed a 35 mile per hour speed
limit on the nation’s highways. Along Route 66, and across the country, service station owners
had to adhere to government regulations regarding the rationing process. People presented
gas stamps or coupons to purchase gasoline, and the station owner had to keep an inventory
of the rationing stamps and a financial accounting.
32  Oklahoma Almanac

In wartime, companies like Mistletoe Express received government contracts that helped them thrive.
Limited supplies curtailed civilian travel along Route 66, with Oklahoma
experiencing a 33 percent decrease. Rationing also made it difficult for
merchants along the highway to get products to sell, although unlike the
depression years, people had money to buy items in the 1940s. Some
businesses owners traveled outside the country to purchase items for resale
in their stores. One area that appeared to escape the rationing restrictions
were those businesses that featured Native American cultures and offered
handcrafted Indian jewelry. The federal government continued to sell silver
to Indian craftsmen, and those Americans who could, traveled out west to
purchase literally thousands of pieces of Native American jewelry. Yet, it
would not be enough to sustain all the business located along Route 66.
The decrease in civilian travel along Route 66 resulted in a decline in customers
and profits for many small local businesses. As these businesses closed
down, many of the owners left to find employment in the war industry. Cabin
camps and tourist courts that once provided lodging for travelers, began to
rent their facilities to individuals employed or stationed at military bases or
military production plants.
Some companies, however, thrived along Route 66 during the war. Local and
regional trucking such as Oklahoma’s Lee Way Motor Freight and Mistletoe
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Express received government contracts to ship war materials and supplies

from production plants to military bases. Moreover, El Reno resident and
airport operator Clarence E. Page contracted with the military to ship war
supplies. These companies survived in the post-war years, because they
continued to service the private sector as well. Those companies that operated
only on government contracts often failed following the war.
America and the Allied countries were victorious in WWII, but the war took
a horrendous toll in human suffering and death, and also resulted in the
destruction of European and Japanese economies and public infrastructures.
 Route 66  33

The war also took its toll on Route 66. Many areas in need of upgrades,
during the war, did without. Moreover the heavy military and commercial
trucks that traveled the route proved to be too much as the road crumbled
under the strain. As the war came to a close, however, a new generation of
Americans would take to the highway seeking adventure. Yet, plans already
set in motion during the war would ensure the highway’s ultimate demise.

Postwar Years: 1946–1970

A
mericans were ready to enjoy life following the war. American
G.I.s came home to a growing economy. Many found good
paying jobs, while others took advantage of the new G.I. bill and
enrolled in a local college or university. Young men and women
married, purchased homes, new cars, and started families. They
also wanted to travel. And travel they did.
Americans once again took to the highways, including Route 66. They traveled
in the latest model cars hot off the assembly lines. In fact, automobile sales
skyrocketed following the war,
and sales continued to increase
over the next twenty years. Cars
registered in the U.S. in 1945
numbered 25 million. That
figure increased to 52 million
in 1955, and to 75 million in
1965. Moreover, gasoline sold
for 15 cents per gallon and there
was no shortage.
Traveling the Mother Road
became easier with the 1946
publication of A Guide Book of
Highway 66 by Jack Rittenhouse.
The book provided travelers
with information regarding
tourist attractions, gas, food,
and lodging facilities located on
the highway, and the intricate
details such as the bridges and
hairpin turns that one would
encounter along the highway’s
route. The information proved
valuable as another wave of
migration swept across the
country following the war.
During the post war years, an
estimated 3.5 million people
moved to California, many
taking Route 66. Songwriter
Bobby Troup and his wife,
Cy n t h i a, m i g ra t e d f ro m
After World War II, the reorganized U.S. Highway 66 Association
lobbied for much needed highway repairs and improvements— Pennsylvania to California
including resurfacing and widening. following the war. They traveled
34  Oklahoma Almanac

Route 66 and subsequently wrote song lyrics regarding their journey. The song,
“Get Your Kicks on Route 66,” was recorded by Nat King Cole and became
an overnight sensation. Later, the CBS television show Route 66 starring
Martin Milner and George Maharis, and movies like Easy Rider, also helped
to secure the highway’s iconic status in American popular culture and lured
new travelers to the highway.
In 1947 the U.S. Highway 66 Association reorganized to both promote the
highway and obtain improvements, such as widening sections to four lanes.
The overwhelming majority of the association’s membership continued to be
local, independent business owners whose livelihood depended on tourism.
The association romanticized the highway’s history to attract tourists. While
some Oklahoma members advocated changing the highway’s unofficial
name to “The Will Rogers Highway,” the association rejected the idea and
readopted “Main Street of America.” In 1952, however, the association did
adopt “Will Rogers Highway” as part of a publicity campaign to promote a
motion picture about Oklahoma’s native son.
Those individuals migrating west or just traveling on vacation created an
economic boom along Route 66 in the post-war years. New businesses
were created, while old businesses often expanded. The increased number
of business establishments afforded travelers the luxury of becoming more
selective in their choices. This empowerment resulted in competition among
businesses as they attempted to lure tourists to their stores or attractions.
Businesses along Route 66 evolved again to meet the growing demands of
these new era travelers.
New modern motels replaced tourist courts and cabins. They offered
accommodations to pamper their clients, featuring improvements such as
air conditioning, swimming pools, and televisions. For awhile, the majority
were locally owned and operated, but as time progressed, motel chains such
as Best Western and Rodeway Inn began to appear along Route 66 in the
1950s. They featured a standard construction, whereas the local motel had

Postcard featuring a prime example of the new modern motel being built on the highway
 Route 66  35

Service station at the corner of Route 66 (23rd Street) and Western Avenue in Oklahoma City
its own unique features. More and more, the mom and pop motels came to
be less popular among travelers.
Major oil companies began to dominate the service station industry following
the war. Approximately 95 percent of all service stations, including those
along Route 66, were leased. Along with the few remaining independent
stations, they remained open twenty-four hours a day to accommodate both
day and night travelers. Newly constructed service stations offered a more
contemporary appearance, featuring aluminum, glass, and porcelain in their
design. Like their predecessors, they featured canopies, but the new canopies
were more flamboyant in style. They were longer in length and swept higher
into the sky. Many canopy tops had large advertising signs. The new service
stations were more functional than their predecessors as preeminence was
placed on increased sales volume. Thus, the 1950s service stations were
less likely to be associated with food or lodging establishments. Yet, their
evolution continued to focus on attracting consumers.
Chain service stations began promoting clean restroom facilities in the 1930s,
and following the war, they offered free promotional items as well to entice
customers, including free road maps. By the 1970s, approximately 160 million
free road maps had been distributed to customers along the road. Service
stations also relied heavily on advertising slogans to attract business. Texaco
utilized one of the more popular slogans: “You Can Trust Your Car To The Man
Who Wears The Star.” These and other slogans appeared on billboards along
Route 66, and became a form of entertainment for thousands of travelers
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Catoosa’s Indian Trading Post sold Native American blankets, jewelry, rugs, and tomahawks.
36  Oklahoma Almanac

Postcard of Oklahoma City’s Frontier City

amusement and theme park • sign for 66
Bowl, another of the Route 66 entertainment
opportunities

along the highway.

Entertainment was a primary theme to
attract travelers along Route 66. Tourists
were often inundated with road signs,
advertisements painted on barns, or
outrageous gimmicks such as a giant jackrabbit in Arizona, all trying to lure
them to a particular destination or attraction. Tourists had a wide array
of choices, including bison ranches, caverns, curio shops, reptile farms,
souvenir stands, and zoos where they could spend their time and money.
Native American culture lured many travelers. Indian trading posts could
be found in towns across the southwest, including Catoosa. People could
buy authentic Native American items such as blankets, jewelry, rugs, and
tomahawks.
Tourists traveling down Route 66 could pull in for a fun day or evening at
theme parks such as Oklahoma City’s Frontier City Amusement Park and
Disneyland Park in California. Opened in 1958, Frontier City offered visitors a
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

“Western Town” atmosphere. Attractions at the park included the Last Chance
Saloon, a log flume, roller coasters, and a skyride. Moreover, drive-in theaters
could be located along Route 66 from Illinois to Los Angeles. Oklahoma’’s
drive-ins along Route 66 included Miami’s Sooner Drive-In; Tulsa’s Admiral
Twin; Sapulpa’s Tee-Pee Drive-In; Oklahoma City’s Cinema 66; Bethany’s
Lakeside Drive-In; El Reno’s Sho-West Drive-In; Clinton Drive-In in Clinton;
and Elk City’s 66 Drive-In. To entice customers, many of these drive-ins offered
promotional gimmicks such as bands, petting zoos, playground equipment,
or discounted prices. These outdoor movies provided entertainment for
residents living along the highway and those passing by.
 Route 66  37

After the highway was decommissioned, Route 66 road signs were auctioned off.
Although thousands of travelers continued to take Route 66 throughout the
decades following World War II, the road had fallen into disrepair. It simply
was not designed to carry the huge traffic volume it had encountered over
the years. The U.S. Highway 66 Association had successfully lobbied the
federal government for funds to upgrade and widen the highway. In fact,
Tulsa received a portion of a $3 million appropriation to upgrade a three mile
portion of the highway in the 1950s. The upgrades and widening came with
a downside, however. Route 66 underwent a series of realignments that took
the new sections away from existing towns and businesses. The realignment
served as a reflection of the changing ideology regarding American highways.
Before World War II, transportation centered on the philosophy that highways
should serve the interest of the people living along the roadway. In the post-
war years, the highway’s role would be the moving of individuals and groups
from one geographic area to another.
Plans to create a new system of interstate highways developed during the war.
The 1944 Federal Highway Act approved, but did not appropriate, funding for
38  Oklahoma Almanac

a new national interstate highway system. In 1949,

Oklahoma served as a catalyst for new highway
construction, when the state legislature approved
funding for the construction of the Turner Turnpike,
a limited access toll road. Completed in 1953, the toll
road stretched from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. More
importantly, it bypassed Route 66. Likewise, the
Will Rogers Turnpike, connecting Tulsa and Joplin,
Missouri, was completed in 1957. Oklahoma’s toll
roads served as a precursor to the nation’s new
interstate highway system.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower realized the
importance of transportation routes during
World War I, and during World War II, Germany’s
autobahns solidified his belief regarding the vital
importance of an updated national highway system
for national security. President Eisenhower strongly
advocated for a new national highway system, and
he established a presidential advisory committee
to study the nation’s highways.
The study led to the 1956 Federal Highway Act that called for the construction
of a new 41,000 mile interstate highway system. In addition, the 1956 Highway
Revenue Act provided 90 percent “pay-as-you-go” federal funding for the
new system of super highways. The multi-billion dollar highway project was
scheduled for completion in 1969, although construction continued into
the 1980s. Moreover, five highway systems were built from Chicago to Los
Angeles along Route 66. Interstate 40, west out of Oklahoma City through
northern Arizona, and Interstate 44 that stretched northeast from Oklahoma
City to Saint Louis, would replace Route 66 in Oklahoma.
These limited access highways restricted the number of on and off ramps
and greatly reduced the ability of travelers to venture into local towns. It
meant financial ruin for many individuals who made their living along Route
66. Local businesses that featured a unique character had once flourished
along the Mother Road. Now, they were becoming extinct as national chains
such as Holiday Inn and Howard Johnsons, that offered a “uniformed
sameness” in construction and services, appeared on the new highway
systems. As each section of new highway was completed, that area of Route
66 was decommissioned. On June 26, 1979, the American Association of
State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) removed Route 66
as an official U.S. highway designation. In 1985 the highway was officially
decommissioned.
The highway that had witnessed the transformation of twentieth century
American society had fallen victim to its progress. Route 66 would have to
wait for a new generation of Americans to rediscover the roadway’s charms
and chart the path to a Mother Road Renaissance.

Bibliography—Michael Cassity, “Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in

Oklahoma, 1926–1970,” (Statement of Context for the National Register of Historic Places,
National Park Service, 2002); James A. Henretta, America’s History Since 1865, (New York:
Worth Publishers, 1993); Quinta Scott and Susan Croce Kelly, Route 66: The Highway and
its People, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988); Michael Wallis, Route 66: The
Mother Road, (New York: Saint Martin’s Press, 1990).
 39

Bloody 66
C
lassic cars, bikers, road houses, diners, blue whales, totem poles, and a round
barn are all synonymous with Route 66. For most Americans, the mention of
Route 66 usually brings forth pleasant thoughts. Individuals recall a favorite family
vacation taken along the highway, or a special road trip with friends during their
youth. Others may remember a favorite eating establishment or other point of
interest on Route 66. Another recollection might be a neon sign that beckoned travelers
to a particular place of business. For some people, their favorite memory was piling in the
trunk of a car with other teenagers, to avoid the cost of admission, and heading off to the

On congested two-lane sections of the highway, passing cars could result in an accident.
drive-in theater. The highway often serves as a reminder of less complicated days, when
Americans enveloped all of the opportunities living in this country afforded. Route 66 had
a darker side, however. As it mirrored American society, the highway played host to every
moral vice known to man. Moreover, as the highway continued to take the lives of travelers
over the years, it became known as “Bloody 66.”
Oklahoma entered the Union in 1907 as a “dry state,” making alcoholic beverages illegal.
In 1919 Oklahoma became the eighteenth state to ratify the Eighteenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution. The amendment banned the manufacture and distribution of
alcohol. Although alcohol use declined as a result of the amendment, prohibition did not
eliminate the production and consumption of alcohol. Across the nation, moonshiners and
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

bootleggers supplied liquor to those Americans willing to purchase it. Speakeasies (illegal
saloons) sprang up in cities and towns across America. Route 66 served as an avenue for
the free flowing booze. Anyone traveling or living along the highway could partake of the
illegal refreshment.
In addition to alcohol, travelers and residents along Route 66 had the opportunity to engage
in illegal gambling operations. If a person knew where to find it, he or she could participate
in games of chance including dice and cards. Moreover, the world’s “oldest profession” was
active along Route 66 as women engaged in prostitution as a means to survive. One person
living along the highway related that “when a tip came that the G-Men (FBI agents) were
40  Oklahoma Almanac

Oklahoma Highway Patrol car

on their way, you could hear bottles breaking, and men and women scurrying off to avoid
arrest.” Yet, the most negative aspect associated with Route 66 had nothing to do with illegal
activity. Rather, it was the danger of driving on the highway.
Route 66 became known as “Bloody 66” to many individuals living along the highway,
because of the high number of horrific accidents that occurred on the road. Both travelers
and local residents spoke of the dangers of driving the highway. Often unexpectedly, drivers
had to navigate a harrowing curve or a dangerous bridge. The majority of accidents were
head-on collisions, attributed to the high volume of traffic, increased speed, steep grades,
and attempts to pass cars on a two-lane section of the highway. Some communities set up
make-shift memorials along stretches of Route 66 where fatal accidents had occurred. One of
the more notorious fatalities on Route 66 occurred in 1928, during the Bunion Derby, when
a motorist hit a participant and left the scene of the accident. Witnesses to other crash sites
recounted the gruesome scenes, and lamented that first-aid would have been futile. Crash
survivors often had to wait long periods of time for help to arrive, because the accidents
occurred outside of town. A passerby, who encountered the accident, would have to travel
to a nearby telephone to call for help.
The only positive aspect of “Bloody 66” was the economic impact for service station and
wrecker service operators. Accidents along the highway kept local wrecker services busy.
In some locations, wrecker drivers raced to be first on the scene of the accident in order to
procure the business.
Advocates for Route 66 lobbied to improve safety along the highway. The United States
Highway 66 Association lobbied for increased funding to repair the road and develop it
into a four-lane highway. They were successful in acquiring additional funding for widening
the highway in many areas including Oklahoma. However, as time progressed, the federal
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

government and the general population embraced the concept of super highway systems
for private travel and commercial transportation. Route 66, the highway that had served as
a host to both the positive and negative elements of American society, would begin to fade
into the American landscape.

Bibliography—Michael Cassity, “Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in Oklahoma, 1926–1970,”

(Statement of Context for the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 2002); Quinta Scott
and Susan Croce Kelly, Route 66: The Highway and its People, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988).
 41

Renaissance
R
oute 66 seemed to be a living, breathing organism that stretched across the American
landscape. As American society transitioned over the years, the highway adapted
and evolved to meet those changes. The days of Route 66 became numbered as
new interstate highways emerged along the iconic highway. And like the sound of
a failing heartbeat steadily fading away, the Mother Road slowly died. In 1984 the
final section of the road was replaced by Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona. The next year,
Route 66 was officially decommissioned.
The decommissioning of Route 66 in 1985 almost assuredly resulted in its rebirth. Individuals
and organizations once associated with the historic highway began rallying for the highway’s
preservation. In 1985 a Route 66 association began in Arizona and two years later one
developed in Missouri. Now, Route 66 associations are located in each of the eight states that
served as host to the legendary highway. Their purpose is to educate the public regarding
the highway’s past; foster tourism along the highway; and promote the preservation of the
historic route. Each state association has its own website and promotes the uniqueness
of Route 66 in their state. Oklahoma Route 66 Association points people to such places of

Arcadia’s Round Barn

Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

interest as Arcadia’s Round Barn, Catoosa’s Blue Whale, and Miami’s Coleman Theater.
The National Route 66 Federation oversees such projects as the National Route 66 Corridor
Preservation Act (signed into law in 1999 by President Bill Clinton), to issue grants to
communities, individuals, and organizations to preserve historic properties along the
highway. The association’s other projects include the “Adopt a Hundred Program” to recruit
volunteers, and publication of both the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide and EZ66 Guide
for Travelers. The national association also gives assistance to film, radio, and television
companies by providing information about the highway. In addition, Route 66 associations
have formed in several foreign countries including Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Italy, The
Netherlands, and Norway to encourage foreign tourists to the United States to make Route
66 part of their travel itenerary.
The renewed interest in Route 66 sparked an increase in new businesses along the highway as
42  Oklahoma Almanac

The renovated Meadow Gold Milk sign—a beloved Route 66 icon—in Tulsa
well as the revitalization of old, historic establishments. Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce
provides visitors with the opportunity to see an original Route 66 gasoline station; Vinita’s
Summerside Vineyards Winery & Meadery offers Route 66 travelers dining, wine tasting,
and produces the original Route 66 Red Wine; and Weatherford’s Route 66 Thunderbirds
specializes in vintage Ford Thunderbirds and other classic cars for car enthusiasts. Other
historic Route 66 properties are being preserved and restored under the guidelines of
the National Register of Historic Places. State and local governments continue to mark
the highway with historic Route 66 signs to promote public awareness. In addition, the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. has dedicated a
section to Route 66. Oklahoma is featured prominently as the exhibit displays a portion of
the highway taken from Bridgeport and a Hamons Court neon sign that hung over Lucille
Hamon’s gas station in Hyrdo.
People do not have to travel to the nation’s capitol to see quality exhibits featuring Route 66.
Museums, dedicated to the Mother Road, also opened up along the highway. Oklahoma’s
museums include: the Dobson Museum in Miami; the National Route 66 Museum in Elk
City; and the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. A new Route 66 museum is planned
in Tulsa, as part of the city’s Vision 2025 project.
Every year Route 66 draws thousands of tourists from around the world who wish to create
their own memories of the famous highway. Musician Sir Paul McCartney drew attention to
Route 66 when he vacationed along the highway during the summer of 2008. Martin Milner,
who starred in the television series “Route 66,” narrates John Paget’s acclaimed documentary
series entitled “Route 66: Return to the Road” that profiles the unique places and people
living along the highway. Moreover, the Disney Pixar film “Cars,” featuring the lead character
Lightning McQueen, educated the viewer regarding Route 66’s place in America. Released
in 2006, the Disney animated film has grossed over $461 million worldwide.
For six decades of the twentieth century, Route 66 served as a main thoroughfare for hundreds
of thousands of travelers as they journeyed between the midwest and the West Coast. As
Photograph courtesy Vision 2025

construction on new interstate highways began in the latter part of the 1900s, and Route 66
was decommissioned, the historic highway found itself on the verge of extinction. However,
thanks to the efforts of countless individuals who have worked tirelessly to preserve and
promote Route 66, generations of new travelers can experience the history and nostalgia
associated with America’s most famous highway. Once again, the Mother Road beckons.
Is it calling your name?
 43

Route 66 Cuisine
L
ong before McDonald’s and other national chain restaurants appeared on the
nation’s highways, local mom and pop restaurants served up delectable meals that
were unique to their culture or were favorite family recipes. Travelers along Route
66 had the opportunity to partake of a variety of different foodways. Oklahoma’s
food had Native American, African American, and European influences, and by the
twentieth century was known as “southern” cuisine. Residents and travelers to Oklahoma
have enjoyed such dietary delights as catfish, chicken fried steak, fried chicken, pork chops,
beans, corn, squash, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie to name just a few. Local eateries along
Route 66 in Oklahoma served up these foods and other signature items.
Early day Route 66 travelers in Oklahoma could stop in at Spencer’s Diner
or Toot’s roadhouse in Baxter Springs; Ben Stanley’s Cafe was a
popular stop in Miami; Afton’s Clint Baker’s Cafe was a favorite
among many travelers and was recommended by Duncan
Hines; Vinita was home to the Grand Cafe that opened in
1914; and Claremore’s Linger Longer offered some of the
best barbecue in the state. Tulsa was home to Pig-in-the-
Pen Cafe. If a person wanted great fried chicken, it could
be found in Tulsa at the Golden Drumstick or in Oklahoma
City at Beverly Osborne’s Chicken in the Rough. Edmond’s
famous Route 66 diner, The Wide Awake Cafe, operated
from 1931 to 1972, and served customers 24/7 and
offered a variety of entrees from chicken fried steak
to salmon croquettes. For those traveling west out
of Oklahoma City, Consumer’s Cafe (now Hensley’s)
in El Reno offered the best tasting burgers and
mouth watering pies. Further on, people could grab
a great sandwich and fill up their gas tank at Lucille
Hamon’s place in Hyrdro. Clinton was home to Pop
Hicks, where customers could find the traditional
home cooked meals, but they could also enjoy food
with an English tradition such as Shepherd’s Pie
and Yorkshire Pudding.
Although most of the early day diners are no
longer in business, tourists traveling down
Route 66 in Oklahoma can still find great food
that holds true to the state’s southern tradition.
Traveler’s can get a great breakfast or a chili-
Photographs courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

and-stew combination at Norma’s Diamond

Cafe in Sapulpa. Tulsa’s Blue Dome Diner offers
authentic food found on Route 66. If you are
looking for an original Route 66 hangout, Stroud’s
Rock Café has changed owners over the years, but it
continues to offer southern cooking. Now owned and
operated by Dawn Welch, the cafe is now listed
[from top to bottom] Billboard for Beverly’s Chicken in
on the National Register of Historic Places.
the Rough • Avery Service Station which housed
the Old English Inn, serving lunch and dinner • One of the more recent additions to Route 66
Lucille’s in Hydro, for sandwiches and gasoline is POPS, located near the historic Red Barn in
44  Oklahoma Almanac

POPS photograph by Robert Shimer and Scott McDonald, Hedrich Blessing. Courtesy of Elliot + Associates.

POPS just northeast of Oklahoma City in Arcadia on Route 66

Arcadia. Pops serves a variety of meals, offers more than 500 types of soda pop, and boasts
a giant neon pop bottle that stands 66 feet high and weighs over four tons. For individuals
wanting a feel for Route 66 nostalgia, Ann’s Chicken Fry in Oklahoma City is the place to be.
Located on Northwest 39th Expressway (Route 66), the restaurant is housed in the original
Cities Service Gas Station that began in 1948 and later became the Three Bulls Steak House
restaurant. Ann’s Chicken Fry House offers chicken fried steak, fried cheese, fried green
tomatoes, fried olives, and fried peaches. The restaurant is filled with Route 66 and 1950s
memorabilia. However, travelers would be remiss if they passed up on the wonderful fried
onion burgers at Johnnie’s Grill in El Reno.
For some individuals traveling along America’s highways, a favorite experience is stopping
at a particular eating establishment. Through the years, Route 66 served as a host to many
diners and restaurants that offered a distinct charm or characteristic. More importantly, they
offered travelers an opportunity to sit down at the counter, relax and enjoy a good meal and
a hot cup of coffee, and get to know a little about the people who lived and worked in the
food industry on America’s “Mother Road.”

Bibliography—Marian Clark, The Route 66 Cookbook, (Tulsa: Council Oak Books, 1993).
 45

Historic Places
of Route 66
H
ow important is Route 66 to America’s identity? Look what the National Park
Service says in a recent press release: “Winding from Chicago to Los Angeles, more
than two thousand miles all the way, Route 66 is still the place to get your kicks. If
you’d like a break from cookie-cutter restaurants and lodging options, this fabled
road remains lined with homespun businesses and attractions that can only be
missed if your eyes are closed.”
Many of these special places are found in Oklahoma, and they collectively provide one of
the state’s most popular heritage tourism destinations.
According to the National Park Service, “Route 66 crosses the heart of America, demonstrating
the delights and realities of a wide cross section of American culture along the way.
Established in 1926, the 2,400–mile ribbon of highway from Chicago to Los Angeles linked
rural communities to urban ones, permitting an unprecedented flow of ideas and economic
growth across the country. It saw the migration of Dust Bowl refugees; World War II troop
movement; the advent of car culture and automobile tourism; and it facilitated large-scale
settlement of the west. For many people in America and throughout the world, the highway
has come to symbolize the spirit and freedom of America, and the pursuit of the American
Dream. The “Mother Road” gained legendary status through song, film, television, books,
and personal experiences, and represents an important chapter in American history.”
In 1985, Route 66 was decommissioned
as a federal highway, and “roadies” and
historic preservationists stepped up
efforts to protect the highway’s physical
legacy and to share its story with local
citizens and visitors from around the
world.
The State Historic Preservation Office,
located in the Oklahoma Historical
Society, states “Oklahomans have a strong
connection to the historic highway,
and many agencies, organizations, and
individuals work to protect this special
Photograph courtesy of the State Historic Preservation Office

legacy. Over fifty roadbed segments,

bridges, service stations, motels, and
other Route 66 properties are now listed
in the National Register of Historic Places,
and additional listings will occur.” Plan
a day trip to some of these Oklahoma
treasures or a family vacation to Route
66 attractions in other states utilizing
the National Park Service website at
www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel. Bridgeport Hill on Route 66
in Caddo and Canadian counties
46  Oklahoma Almanac

The following is a list of Oklahoma properties, located on or near Route 66, that appear on
the National Register of Historic Places. They are listed according to county, city, site, and
date declared a National Historic Place.
Lynda Schwan  •  State Historic Preservation Office

Beckham County
Elk City—Casa Grande Hotel, 2/23/95
Erick—West Winds Motel, 5/27/04
Sayre—Sayre Champlin Service Station, 3/3/04
Sayre City Park, 3/3/04
Texola—Magnolia Service Station, 2/23/95
Caddo County & Canadian County
Bridgeport vicinity, Bridgeport Hill—Hydro Route 66 Segment, 3/3/04
Caddo County—Hydro vicinity—Provine Service Station, 7/17/97
Canadian County
El Reno—Avant’s Cities Service Station, 3/2/04
Jackson Conoco Service Station, 3/2/04
Geary vicinity—Bridgeport Hill Service Station, 12/5/03
Craig County
Vinita—Hotel Vinita, 2/09/95
Randall Tire Company, 2/23/95
Spraker Service Station, 2/23/95
Vinita vicinity—Little Cabin Creek Bridge, 3/4/09
McDougal Filling Station, 5/27/04
Creek County
Bristow—Beard Motor Company, 5/27/04
Bristow Firestone Service Station, 321 N. Main, 9/06/07
Bristow Motor Company Building, 2/23/95
Bristow Tire Shop, 2/23/95
Texaco Service Station, 2/23/95
Bristow vicinity—Little Deep Fork Creek Bridge, 12/5/03
Tank Farm Loop Route 66 Roadbed, 09/06/06
Sapulpa—Bridge No. 18 at Rock Creek, 2/23/95
Sapulpa vicinity—West Sapulpa Route 66 Roadbed, 3/3/04
Custer County—Clinton—Y Service Station & Café, 5/27/04
Lincoln County
Chandler—Crane Motor Company Building, 2/23/95
St. Cloud Hotel, 4/05/84; Additional Documentation, 2/23/95
Chandler vicinity—Seaba’s Filling Station, 2/09/95
Photograph courtesy of the State Historic Preservation Office

Stroud—Rock Cafe, 6/14/01

Hotel Lincoln, 2/23/95
Stroud vicinity—Ozark Trails Section of Route 66, 12/5/03
Wellston vicinity—Captain Creek Bridge, 3/3/04
Oklahoma County
Arcadia vicinity—Arcadia Route 66 Roadbed, 11/30/99
Luther vicinity—Threatt Filling Station, 2/23/95
Oklahoma City—Lake Overholser Bridge, 3/2/04
Ottawa County
Afton—Cities Service Station, 2/23/95
 47

Afton vicinity—Horse Creek Bridge, 2/23/95

Miami—Miami Marathon Oil Company Service Station, 2/23/95
Miami vicinity—Miami Original Nine-Foot Section of Route 66 Roadbed, 2/09/95
Miami vicinity—Narcissa D-X Gas Station, 2/5/03
Miami vicinity—Riviera Courts, 5/27/04
Rogers County
Chelsea—Chelsea Motel, 5/27/04
Chelsea vicinity—Pryor Creek Bridge, 09/06/06
Claremore—Claremore Auto Dealership, 2/23/95
Will Rogers Hotel, 12/29/94
Tulsa County
Tulsa—66 Motel, 12/13/96
Cities Service Station #8, Pending 1/20/11
Eleventh Street Arkansas River Bridge, 12/13/96
Casa Loma Hotel, 9/4/10
Phillips 66 Station #473, 12/06/04
Sinclair Service Station, 12/13/96
Vickery Phillips 66 Station, 3/3/04
Washita County
Canute—Canute Service Station, 2/09/95

Vickery Phillips 66 station, Tulsa

Additional Route 66 Attractions

on the National Register of Historic Places

Oklahoma County
Arcadia—Arcadia Round Barn, 11250 E. Highway 66, 12/23/77
Rogers County
Foyle vicinity—Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, SH-28A, 3.5 miles East of US-66,
03/30/99
48

Read More
About The Road
T
here is a variety of information available on Route 66 ranging from articles, books,
and Internet sites. In order to help you learn more about this historic highway, a
bibliography is listed below. Please visit your local library and check out one or
more of these titles to read more about the road. If your library does not have the
book in their collection, just request an interlibrary loan.
Bill Calkin and Tammra Radford, Get Off the Interstate! And Enjoy Oklahoma’s Route 66,
(B&T Creations, 2001).
Michael Cassity, “Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in Oklahoma, 1926–1970,”
(Statement of Context for the National Register of Historic Places, National Park
Service, 2002).
Marian Clark, Route 66 Cookbook, (Tulsa: Council Oak Books, 1993).
Marian Clark, Main Street of America Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Down Route 66,
(Tulsa: Council Oak Books, 1997).
James H. Cobb, West on 66, (New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 1999).
Sylvia Jenkins Cook, From Tobacco Road to Route 66: The Southern Poor White in Fiction,
(Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1976).
Peter B. Dedek, Hip to the Trip: A Cultural History of Route 66, (Albuquerque: University
of New Mexico Press, 2007).
Michael Dregni, Editor, Greetings From Route 66: The Ultimate Road Trip Back Through
Time Along America’s Main Street, (Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2010).
Randy Ellis, Running with Payne: A Step-By-Step Journey Down Route 66 & Beyond,
(Leawood: Leathers Publishing, 2005).
Duncan Hall, Emma Doesn’t Want to Race Today!: She’s in Love with Route 66!, (Edmond:
Humor and Communication, 2008).
Hugh W. Foley Jr., Just for Kicks: Oklahoma Route 66 Music Guide, (Stillwater: New
Forums Press, 2005).
Nick Freeth, Route 66: Main Street USA, (Saint Paul, MBI Publishing Company, 2001).
Nick Freeth, Traveling Route 66, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 2001).
Shellee Graham, Return to Route 66: Route 66 Postcards, (Tulsa: Council Oak Books,
1998).
William Kaszynski, Route 66: Images of America’s Main Street, (Jefferson: McFarland and
Company, 2003).
Drew Knowles, Route 66 Adventure Handbook, (Santa Monica: Santa Monica Press, 2006).
Arthur Krim, Route 66: Iconography of the American Highway, (Santa Fe: Center for
American Places, 2005).
Norman R. Martin, Up on Route 66: A Time Remembered, Travelers Along the Way, 1928
and Forward, (Searcy: Martain Press, 2000).
 Route 66  49

Route 66 postcard

Jerry McClanahan, EZ66 Guide for Travelers, (Lake Arrowhead: National Historic Route 66
Federation, 2008).
Bob Moore and Patrick Grauwels, Route 66: A Guidebook to the Mother Road (Del Mar:
USDS, 1990).
Thomas Arthur Repp, Route 66: The Empires of Amusement, (Lynnwood, Moch Turtle
Press, 1999).
Jon G. Robinson, Route 66: Lives on the Road, (Osceola: MBI Publishing Company, 2000).
Ellen Robson and Dianne Halicki, Haunted Highway: The Spirits of Route 66, (Phoenix:
Gold West Publishers, 1999).
Oliver E. Rooker, Riding the Travel Bureau: Ghost Riders Network on Route 66 During the
Great Depression, (Canton: Memoir Publishing, 1994).
Jim Ross, Oklahoma Route 66: The Cruiser’s Companion, (Bethany: Ghost Town Press,
1992).
Jim Ross, Oklahoma Route 66, (Bethany: Ghost Town Press, 1994).
Quinta Scott and Susan Croce Kelly, Route 66: The Highway and its People, (Norman,
University of Oklahoma Press, 1988).
Quinta Scott, Along Route 66, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 2000).
Elizabeth Strickland Smith, Route 66 to the Fields in California: Hank Strickland,
Prominent Oklahoma City Businessman, Politician, Rancher and Rodeo Promoter
Becomes an Okie Migrant, 1949–1969, (Tallahassee: Clark Publishing House, 2002).
Tom Snyder, Route 66, Pioneering Highway: Stories from the Road, (Long Beach: U.S.
Route 66 Association, 1992).
Tom Snyder, Route 66 Traveler’s Guide and Roadside Companion, (New York: Saint
Martin’s Press, 1990).
Tom Teague, Searching for 66, (Springfield: Samizdat House, 1991).
Michael Wallis, Route 66: The Mother Road, (New York: Saint Martin’s Press, 1990).
Michael Wallis and Marian Clark, Hogs on 66: Best Feed and Hangouts for Road Trips on
Route 66, (Tulsa: Council Oak Books, 2004).
Dawn Welch and Raquel Pelzel, Dollars to Donuts: Comfort Food & Kitchen Wisdom from
Route 66’s Landmark Rock Café, (Rodale: Macmillin, 2009).
John Calvin Womack, Once Upon a Highway: Route 66 in Oklahoma, (Stillwater: New
Forums Press, 2005).
50

Welcome to Oklahoma
People the world over know us as a place where the wind comes sweepin’ down the
plain – but that’s just part of the story. We are a one-of-a-kind state with something
for everyone. We have the most diverse terrain mile-for-mile than any other state,
from gently rolling hills to expansive, fertile
plains. Ancient mountains, ever-changing
sand dunes, salt flats, pine forests, cypress
swamps, and caves of alabaster all make for a
vacation paradise. And, we claim more man-
made lakes than any other state, with eleven
official ecoregions recognized by the EPA.
You can rough it in our great outdoors, or
take a drive along the Mother Road of the
nation, historic Route 66. Traversing the
Sooner State, the route reveals a wealth of
Buffalo at the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. unique and fascinating destinations.
Once known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma is still home to more American Indian
tribes than any other state. Thirty-nine tribal headquarters and members of at least
sixty-seven tribes make their home here. Indian heritage is woven throughout the
modern culture. Visitors will find American Indian art, historic sites, interactive cultural
experiences, museums, powwows, dances, and festivals.
That American Indian heritage is equaled by our Western heritage. Our cowboy roots
were firmly planted by soldiers who constructed forts and outposts in the territory
following the Civil War. Today, ranches dot the landscape, rodeos take place every
month of the year, and you will find one horse
for every twelve people, more per capita than any
other state.
All photographs in this section courtesy of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

And if all of that were not enough, you can

indulge your cultural side with visits to the ballet
or philharmonic. Today’s Oklahoma provides
not only a diverse landscape and rich cultural
heritage, but also major urban centers complete
with entertainment of all kinds, fine dining, the
arts, and world-class attractions.
To learn more about traveling in Oklahoma, visit
www.TravelOK.com or call toll-free 1–800–652–6552
to speak to a travel counselor.
The Sooner State divides itself into six regional areas,
each with its own unique appeal. An overview of
each travel region is presented on the following
pages.
Will Rogers Statue—Claremore.
 Welcome to Oklahoma  51

Frontier
Country
822 N Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102  •  800–386–6552  •  405–232–6552
info@oktourism.com  •  www.oktourism.com

Frontier Country, in central Oklahoma, combines big city excitement with small town
appeal. Experience the bustling state capital Oklahoma City, where family entertainment,
shopping, art, sports, culture, and history combine for a total package. If you like a slower
pace, visit some of the vibrant communities throughout Frontier Country where you can
still find downtown main streets, courthouse squares, and mom and pop shops.
Start your tour in Norman, with a visit to The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History, located on the University of Oklahoma campus. Step back in time—way back—
to see the Oklahoma “natives” that roamed this state millions of years ago—dinosaurs!
Stop by Campus Corner for shopping, then immerse yourself in culture at more OU
landmarks: the newly-expanded Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Jacobson House Native
Arts Center, where the modern American Indian art movement began.
On day two, head to Oklahoma City, where you can pick and choose from a wide range
of activities and attractions. Take in the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Myriad
Botanical Gardens, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Take a walking tour, ride the
trolley, or catch a water taxi for a cruise down the Bricktown Canal.
After those experiences, enjoy a short drive north on I-35 to Edmond, then go east on
famed Route 66 to see Arcadia’s restored 1898 Round Barn. Just a few miles away, drop
by Tres Suenos Winery in Luther for
a taste of the grape!
On day three, continue north on I-35
to Guthrie and hop on the trolley
for a tour of the Victorian splendor
contained in the largest contiguous
urban National Register Historic
District in the United States. Grab a
bite at a quaint bistro in downtown,
browse the boutiques and antique
stores, and book a night at one
of Guthrie’s numerous bed and
breakfast inns.
You have barely scratched the surface
of Frontier Country, so plan another
trip with stops in Shawnee, Stillwater,
Seminole, Bethany, El Reno, and
POPS on Route 66—Arcadia more!
 52  Oklahoma Almanac

Great
Plains Country
114 S 9 St., Frederick, OK 73542  •  866–472–6552  •  580–335–5999
www.greatplainscountry.com  •  gpc@greatplainscountry.com

Southwest Oklahoma is a prime location for a getaway. This rugged land, where Plains
tribes once roamed and where boomtowns sprang up overnight, welcomes travelers with
awe-inspiring landscapes and down-home good times.
Start your tour at Duncan’s Chisholm Trail Heritage Center to experience the famed trail,
then head to Lawton, home to Fort Sill, the largest army repository of military-related
artifacts in the world. Visit The Old Post Guardhouse, the holding facility for Geronimo,
the famed Apache warrior who is buried at the fort.
Next, head to the Wichita Mountains, site of the nation’s first national wildlife refuge,
where bison, longhorn cattle, elk, and other animals roam freely. While in the area, do
not forget to explore Medicine Park, a 1920s mountain resort community regaining its
heyday appeal.
Enjoy the spectacular prairie landscape as you drive to Quartz Mountain Arts and
Conference Center, north of Altus. Located on sparkling Lake Altus-Lugert, this rustic
resort is surrounded by a variety of recreational activities.
After a restful night, head north to Elk City, where the National Route 66 Museum
encompasses all eight states through which the “Mother Road” travels.
Continue to Cheyenne to visit the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, marking Lt.
Col. George Custer’s 1868 early-morning attack on Chief Black Kettle’s sleeping village
of Southern Cheyenne. After your tour of the site, settle in for the night at a local guest
ranch or bed and breakfast inn.
Head back to I-40 for a short drive to Clinton and visit the Cheyenne Cultural Center
for a look at tribal life on the Oklahoma plains. Continue just a few miles west on
I-40 to Weatherford for a visit to the
General Thomas P. Stafford Space
Museum, which chronicles the career
of Weatherford’s most famous son.
On your next visit to Great Plains
Country, explore the American Indian
culture of Anadarko, hit the links at
Fort Cobb State Park, fish the waters
of Foss Lake, and visit welcoming
communities including Frederick,
Cordell, Hobart, Mangum, and more.
Great Salt Plains State Park—Jet
 Welcome to Oklahoma  53

Green
Country
2805 E Skelly, #805, Tulsa, OK 74105  •  800–922–2118  •  918–744–0588
jackie@greencountryok.com  •  www.greencountryok.com

From the tallgrass of Osage County to the pulsing energy of metropolitan Tulsa to the lush,
cool greenery and beauty of the eastern lakes region, you will find fun and memorable
times in northeast Oklahoma.
Start your trip in Jenks, the “Antique Capital of Oklahoma”, for shopping and a stop at the
Oklahoma Aquarium. Then head into Tulsa, where you will find something for everyone.
History buffs and art lovers will revel in visits to Philbrook Museum of Art and the Gilcrease
Museum. At Philbrook, you will find a stunning collection of paintings and sculpture
ranging from Renaissance legends to modern masters. At the Gilcrease, view the world’s
most comprehensive collection of American Indian and Western art.
Take the scenic route from Tulsa south to Stone Bluff Cellars Winery, where you can sample
award-winning wines and add a bottle or two to your own wine cellar. Then continue onto
Muskogee for a night at the Whitlock Wishouse Bed & Breakfast. The eclectic decor and
spectacular cuisine are garnering national attention.
The next day, explore American Indian culture at The Five Civilized Tribes Museum,
which preserves the heritage of the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole
tribes. Then stop by Ataloa Lodge, one of Oklahoma’s premier Native American museums.
Head back to Tulsa for a night at the Hotel Ambassador, where luxury goes hand-in-hand
with sumptuous furnishings and world-class cuisine. The next morning, you will be ready
to head to Bartlesville for more one-of-a-kind sites.
Visit the Woolaroc Ranch, Museum, and Wildlife Preserve, the 1925 country home of
oilman Frank Phillips, then go back into town to tour the Frank Phillips Home, a twenty-
six-room Greek Revival mansion.
Next stop: Frank Lloyd Wright’s
only skyscraper, the Price Tower,
home to the Price Tower Art Center.
Explore downtown Bartlesville’s
antique shops and boutiques, then
call it a night at the elegant Inn At
Price Tower.
Your tour of Green Country is far
from complete, so plan another visit
to explore welcoming destinations
including Claremore, Grand Lake,
Tahlequah, and more!
Totem Pole Park, along Route 66—Foyil
 54  Oklahoma Almanac

Kiamichi
Country
Route 2 Box 74, Hugo, OK 74743  •  800–722–8180  •  580–326–5598
www.kiamichicountry.com

With seven mountain ranges, ten state parks and twenty-three lakes along with countless
streams and rivers, southeast Oklahoma is an outdoor haven. The region is an angler’s
paradise, offering countless varieties of fish—including two rivers that feature year-round
trout fishing. Add to that all types of water sports, camping, horse trails, hiking, sightseeing,
hang-gliding and the best fall foliage in the Midwest, and you have found a getaway that
beckons again and again.
Start your adventure at Robbers Cave State Park, just a few miles north of Wilburton. The
park, located in the scenic hilly woodlands of the San Bois Mountains, is a favorite of
rappellers, cave explorers, equestrians, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a peaceful
night at a historic cabin, then wake up refreshed and head to Heavener Runestone State
Park to view the famed Heavener Runestone, said to evidence some of Oklahoma’s earliest
Viking visitors.
Continue your driving tour by heading to Talihina, the entrance to the Talimena Scenic
Drive. The drive takes you into the magnificent Ouachita National Forest for fifty-four
miles of winding road known for vibrant spring and fall foliage.
Continue south to Beavers Bend Resort Park, and check into a cozy mountain cabin or
lake-view lodge. After a restful night, enjoy the towering timbers, crystal clear waters
and mountainous terrain of Oklahoma’s “Little Smokies” throughout the park. Tee off
for a game of golf, spend some time in the nature center, and stop by the Forest Heritage
Center Museum.
After you leave the park, do not miss the Museum of the Red River in nearby Idabel. The
museum features an outstanding
collection of regional archaeological
materials, Pre-Columbian Middle
and South American artifacts, and
more.
Head west to Millerton, home
of Wheelock Academy, which
served as a Choctaw day school
and is currently being restored by
the Choctaw Nation. Continue on
to Hugo Lake State Park, where
resort cabins provide comfortable
accommodations and spectacular
Robbers Cave Lake—Wilburton
lake views.
 Welcome to Oklahoma  55

Arbuckle
Country
4400 W Highway 7, Sulpher, OK 73086  •  866–843–6858  •  www.arbuckles.com

The heart of south central Oklahoma is alive with excitement and attractions to suit every
taste. With a landscape lush with mountains, valleys, lakes, and streams, Lake & Trail
Country is an ideal traveler’s destination.
Start your exploration at the Bedré Chocolate Factory in Pauls Valley. The maker of the
same chocolate bars you will find in the Neiman Marcus catalog, Bedre´ is known for its
yummy chocolate-covered potato chips.
Just a few miles further, stroll through GW Exotic Animal Park, a non-profit sanctuary
housing more than 1,000 exotic animals. Stop by at feeding time, and you will be surrounded
by the thundering roar of lions, tigers, and other big cats as they “place their order” at
mealtime.
For more animal adventure, continue south to Davis, home of Arbuckle Wilderness. This
drive-through animal park contains herds of exotic beasts roaming freely through the
driving area.
Head into Sulphur, where the waters from more than thirty mineral springs in the area
are said to have magical healing powers. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area attracts
visitors from around the world who come to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, outdoor
recreation, great swimming holes, and the new Chickasaw Cultural Center.
Schedule a soothing massage at the nearby Sulphur Springs Inn. Housed in a 1905
bathhouse, the establishment also offers daily yoga, meditation, and nature walks. Spend
the night at the inn to refresh yourself for the rest of
your journey.
From Sulphur, head to Gene Autry, home of the Gene
Autry Oklahoma Museum. The museum houses
an impressive collection of memorabilia, with an
emphasis on the famed Western movie star and
singing legend.
Continue south to Ardmore for some shopping
and dining, then head to Lake Murray Resort Park,
Oklahoma’s first and largest state park. Fishing,
boating, and all water sports are found at Lake Murray,
as are camping, hayrides, horseback riding, hiking,
biking, roller-blading, swimming, miniature golf, and
paddleboats. Do not miss the Tucker Tower Nature
Center, which sits on a point much like a lighthouse.
Relax at the lodge or in a cozy cabin.
Turner Falls—Davis
 56  Oklahoma Almanac

Red Carpet
Country
Drawer B, Alva, OK 73717  •  800–447–2698  •  580–327–4918
www.redcarpetcountry.com  •  redcarpet@nwosu.edu

Travelers embarking on a tour of Oklahoma’s northwest corner will find a land marked
by the footprints of dinosaurs, lined with red canyons, and blanketed in prairie grass and
golden wheat.
Experience the luxury enjoyed by an early twentieth century oil baron at Ponca City’s
spectacular Marland Mansion and Marland’s Grand Home. These houses of Governor
E.W. Marland boast magnificent furnishings and lush surroundings.
Then tour the Poncan Theater, where the ornate interior recalls the luxury of this 1927
top-billing vaudeville house. And you will definitely want to stop for a photo at the Pioneer
Woman Statue, one of America’s most enduring images.
Next, journey west to the Salt Plains Federal Wildlife Refuge, where a vast sea of salt has
become one of Oklahoma’s most photographed locations. The region provides pristine
salt plains, marshes, and a reservoir for more than 300 species of birds. Stay the night at
nearby Great Salt Plains State Park.
Next stop: Oklahoma’s very own sand dunes. Head to Little Sahara State Park for another
unique landscape. Take a dune buggy tour of the towering sands, then enjoy a picnic at
one of the park’s shaded campgrounds.
On the way to Watonga, stop by the sparkling Glass Mountains and capture the glinting
crystals on film—no easy task!
Then continue to Roman Nose Resort Park just north of Watonga. Set up camp in gypsum-
streaked canyons or spend the night at the lodge or in a cozy cabin. The next morning,
head into town for an appetizing visit to the Watonga Cheese Factory. This is the place to
pick up chocolate cheese—which
you’ll swear tastes just like fudge.
You have seen just a small portion
of the unique sights of Red Carpet
Country, so plan another visit
to see Alabaster Caverns, Black
Mesa (the state’s highest point),
the dinosaur tracks in Kenton,
authentic cowboy life in Guymon
and Woodward, and much more.

Tonkawa tribal viewing court—Ponca City

 State Emblems
Animal—Buffalo
Bird—Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Cartoon Character—”Gusty”
Fish—White or Sand Bass
57
Amphibian
Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) [HCR1026, 1997]
Animal (Mammal)
American Buffalo (Bison bison) [SCR101, 1972]
Beverage
Milk [SCR2, 1985]
Bird
Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forficate)
[25§98] [HJR21, 1951]
Butterfly
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
[HB2082, 1996]
Cartoon Character
“Gusty” created by former Tulsa weatherman
Don Woods. [SB 464, 2005]
Children’s Song
“Oklahoma, My Native Land” [HB3000, 1996]
Colors
Green and White [25§93]
Country and Western Song
“Faded Love” [Laws 1988, p.1902] [SCR65, 1988]
Day
Oklahoma Day, April 22 [25§82.3]
Dinosaur
Acrocanthosaurus atokensis [SB 1613, 2006]
Fish
White or Sand Bass (Morone chrysops) [25§98.2]
Flag
An Osage warrior’s buckskin shield decorated
with pendent eagle feathers on a field of blue is
the basic design of the Oklahoma state flag.
In crossed positions over the shield are an Indian peace
pipe and an olive branch. The latter is the white man’s
symbol of peace. The pipe has a red bowl and a pale
yellow stem, with a red feather attached. The shield
 58  Oklahoma Almanac

is a light tan, to which are attached white feathers,

tipped with brown. Small crosses on the face of the
shield are tan, but somewhat darker than that of the
shield itself. The word “Oklahoma” in white is inscribed
immediately below the shield. [25§91]

Flag Day
November 16 [25§91.3]

Flag Salute
“I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its
symbols of peace unite all people.” [25§91] Furbearer—Raccoon

Floral Emblem
Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum)
The oldest of Oklahoma’s symbols, adopted in 1893, 14

Photograph Copyright—The Oklahoma Publishing Company

years before statehood. [25§92] [HJR49]

Flower
Oklahoma Rose [25 OS § 92]

Flying Mammal
Mexican free-tailed bat [SB1678]
Flower—Oklahoma Rose
Folk Dance
Square Dance
[Laws 1988, p.1960] [SCR111, 1988] [HR1070]

Folk Song
“Oklahoma Hills” by Woody and Jack Guthrie
[25§94.8]

Fossil
“Greatest king of the reptile eaters” (Saurophaga-
nax maximus) [25§98.6]

Fruit
Strawberry [HB 1762, 2005]
Game Animal—White-Tail Deer
Furbearer
Raccoon (Algonquian arathkone)
[SCR25, 1stEx.Sess.1989]

Game Animal
White-Tail Deer [SCR24, 1stEx.Sess.1989]

Game Bird
Wild Turkey [SCR26, 1stEx.Sess.1989]

Governor’s Flag [25§93.1]

Game Bird—Wild Turkey
 State Emblems  59

Grass
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) [SCR72, 1972]

Insect
Honeybee (Apis mellifera) [SCR75, 1992]

Monument
Golden Driller, Tulsa [SCR23, 1979]

Motto
Labor Omnia Vincit (Labor Conquers All Things)
[1893, §5991; Art.6§35]
Insect—Honeybee
Musical Instrument
Fiddle [Laws 1984, p.1208]

Name
“Oklahoma”means Red People in the Choctaw
language [34Stat.267]

Nickname
Sooner State

Percussive Musical Instrument

Drum [25§98.3]

Monument—Golden Driller Pin

“OK” pin [Laws 1982, p.1258]

Poem
“Howdy Folks” by David Randolph Milsten (Tulsa)
[Laws 1973, p.568]

Reptile
Collared Lizard or Mountain Boomer (Crotaphy-
tus collaris) [HCR1009, 1969]

Reptile—Collared Lizard Rock

Rose Rock (Barite rose) [25§98.1]

Rock Song
“Do You Realize” by The Flaming Lips [HJR 1047]

Seal
Oklahoma has for its state seal a symbol that
was developed from the history of the state.
The central figures and wreath are from the Great Seal
of the Territory of Oklahoma. In each of the five arms
of the main star in the Great Seal of the state, is the
official seal of one of the Five Civilized Indian nations
that together comprised most of the area of present
Rock—Rose Rock
 60  Oklahoma Almanac

eastern Oklahoma. The upward arm depicts the seal of

the Chickasaw Nation with an Indian warrior holding
a bow and shield. In the upper left-hand arm is the
seven-pointed star bearing a wreath of oak leaves
which comprises the seal of the Cherokee Nation. The
emblem of the Choctaw Nation is in the upper right-
hand arm and is composed of a tomahawk, a bow, and
three crossed arrows. In the lower left-hand arm is the
seal of the Creek Nation, depicted by a sheaf of wheat
and a plow. The lower right-hand arm shows houses
and a factory on the shore of a lake. On the lake are an
Indian hunter and a canoe, and this comprises the seal
of the Seminole Nation. Forty-five small stars surround
the central star and these represent the forty-five Seal
states that made up the Union at the time Oklahoma
became the forty-sixth state on November 16, 1907.
The original seal was designed for embossing purposes,
and color was not a consideration. To this day, no
official colors have been established for the Great Seal
of the State of Oklahoma. Color design of the seal
pictured is by Paul Lefebvre. [Art.6§18,35]

Soil
Port Silt Loam (Cumulic haplustolls)
[Laws 1987, p.1721]

Song/Anthem
“Oklahoma!” by Rodgers and Hammerstein
[25§94.1] Soil—Port Silt Loam
Statehood Day
November 16 [25§88]

Tartan [HCR1025, 1999]

Theater
Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma, Inc.
[Laws 1961, p.726]

Tree
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) [2§16–69]
Tree—Redbud
Waltz
“Oklahoma Wind” [SR42, 1982]

Western Band
“The Sounds of the Southwest” [HCR1053, 1997]

Wild Flower
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) [25§92.1]

Wild Flower—Indian Blanket


The Fourteen Flags
Over Oklahoma
Flag art courtesy of the Oklahoma
Department of Libraries and the
Oklahoma Historical Society.
61
First Flag
The Royal Standard of Spain brought to
Oklahoma by Coronado in 1541. This flag
is quartered red and white (silver), show-
ing the golden castle on the red, and the
red lion on the white. The castle and the
lion represented the royal houses (Castile
and Leon) from which the King of Spain
descended.
Second Flag
The “Great Union” of Great Britain over
Oklahoma, 1663, when King Charles II
gave a wide strip of country from the
Atlantic to the Pacific to his friends. This
wide strip was known as Carolina, and
included nearly all of Oklahoma. The
British flag then showed a blue field with
the white cross of St. Andrew and the red
cross of St. George, signifying the union of
Scotland (St. Andrew’s cross) and England
(St. George’s cross).
Third Flag
Royal Standard of France brought to
Oklahoma in 1719 by Bernard de la Harpe,
though French claims dated from the
time of La Salle in 1682 when he claimed
all the country drained by the Mississippi
River and its branches in the name of the
French King. This flag of 1719 shows a
white field sprinkled with golden fleur-
de-lys.
 62  Oklahoma Almanac

Fourth Flag
The Standard of the Spanish Empire over
Oklahoma in 1763 when France gave all
the country west of the Mississippi to
Spain by the Treaty of Paris. The Royal
Standard of Spain had been changed by
now, showing a purple field with crests
of many different royal houses, and was
used in the palace of the king. At this
same time, the Spanish Navy sailed all the
seas, carrying the ancient red and gold
on a flag planted in many countries of the
empire. This flag shows three horizontal
stripes, red top and bottom with a gold
stripe between. The ancient Arms of Cas-
tile and Leon are shown on the gold stripe
near the flag pole.

Fifth Flag
The Standard of the French Republic ruled
by Napoleon, in 1800 when Spain gave all
the Province of Louisiana to France. This
flag had three perpendicular stripes: red
next to the flag pole, white at the center,
blue at the end, but these stripes were
reversed by French law in 1830, to stand
blue near the flag pole, white at center
and red at the end.

Sixth Flag
The purchase of Louisiana by the United
States from France in 1803 brought the
U.S. flag to Oklahoma. This flag showed 15
stars on the blue canton, and 15 alternat-
ed red and white stripes for the 15 states
in the Union in 1803. This flag was accord-
ing to the law of May 1, 1795, which called
for a star and a stripe to be added to the
flag when a new state was admitted to
the Union.
 The Fourteen Flags of Oklahoma  63

Seventh Flag
The United States Flag design was
changed by the law of April 4, 1818. From
this time, the U.S. Flag has shown 13 alter-
nated red and white stripes, the stars in
the blue canton representing the states of
the Union, a new star being added on the
4th day of July, following the admission of
a new state. The U.S. Flag in 1818 showed
20 stars for the 20 states in the Union.

Eighth Flag
The Flag of Mexico from 1821 to 1836,
over the Oklahoma Panhandle which
was owned by Mexico in this period. This
flag shows three horizontal stripes, in the
order from the flag pole: green, white, and
red. The white stripe shows at center the
device of an eagle with a serpent in its
talons, emblem of an ancient Aztec Indian
legend.

Ninth Flag
The flag of the Republic of Texas over the
Oklahoma Panhandle, 1836 to 1839. This
first Texas flag shows an azure field with a
five-pointed gold star at center.

Tenth Flag
The “Lone Star Flag” of Texas over the
Oklahoma Panhandle to 1850. This is the
present Texas Flag designed by the law of
January 25, 1839; a wide blue perpendicu-
lar stripe centered by a five-pointed white
star near the pole, and two horizontal
stripes, one red and one white.
 64  Oklahoma Almanac

Eleventh Flag
The Choctaw Flag carried by Choctaw
confederate troops during the War be-
tween the States, 1861–65. This flag shows
a blue field with a Choctaw seal at cen-
ter. The Choctaw Nation was a separate
government in southeastern Oklahoma to
1907, and was the only Indian nation that
used a flag of its own at any time.

Twelfth Flag
The Confederate Battle Flag over Okla-
homa, 1861–65. This flag shows a red field
with St. Andrew’s Cross in blue on white,
the blue showing thirteen white stars for
the thirteen states which were aligned
with the Confederate Government.
Editor’s Note: HB 1007, 2003, directed the Oklahoma Historical
Society to fly the First National Flag of the Confederate States of
America rather than the Confederate Battle Flag.

Thirteenth Flag
The first Oklahoma State Flag adopted by
the state legislature in 1911. This shows a
red field centered by a five-pointed white
star bordered with blue and the figures
“46” in blue, at the center, Oklahoma be-
ing the 46th state admitted to the Union.

Fourteenth Flag
The present Oklahoma State Flag adopted
by the state legislature in 1925. This shows
a sky blue field with a central device: an
Indian war shield of tan buckskin show-
ing small crosses on the face, the Indian
design for stars. Seven eagle feathers form
the edge of the shield. An Indian peace
pipe (calumet) with a pipestone bowl and
a tassel at the end of the pipestem lies on
the shield; above the Indian peace pipe is
an olive branch, the white man’s emblem
of peace. Muriel Wright • 1958
Executive
Branch
66  Oklahoma Almanac
 67

Governor Mary Fallin

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Governor Mary Fallin was elected November 2, 2010, during a historic election in which she
became the first-ever female governor of Oklahoma. She was inaugurated on the steps of the
Oklahoma Capitol as the state’s twenty-seventh governor on January 10, 2011.
After a successful career in the private sector as a manager for a national hotel chain, Fallin
made her first foray into public service in 1990 when she was elected to the Oklahoma House
of Representatives. This began her long and distinguished career of public service dedicated
to conservative, commonsense solutions to the challenges facing Oklahoma families and
small businesses.
During her time in the House, Fallin earned a reputation as a consensus builder who was
willing to reach across the aisle. Serving in the Republican minority, she managed to pass
more than a dozen bills that were signed into law by the state’s Democratic governor,
including Oklahoma’s first “anti-stalker law,” and measures aimed at improving the business
climate in Oklahoma. She also worked to lower the health care costs of small businesses
in Oklahoma and for her work in this area was honored as a “Legislator of the Year” by the
American Legislative Exchange Council.
In 1994 Fallin would first make history by becoming the first woman and first Republican
to be elected lieutenant governor of Oklahoma, an office she would hold for twelve years.
In this capacity, Fallin focused her attention on issues affecting job creation and economic
development. She served on ten boards or commissions involving business and quality-of-life
issues in Oklahoma. In 1997 she chaired the Fallin Commission on Workers’ Compensation,
which released a comprehensive reform plan to lower costs of workers’ compensation while
creating a system that was fair to both businesses and workers. Fallin also used her posi-
tion as president of the Oklahoma State Senate to allow the citizens of Oklahoma to vote on
“Right to Work,” which ended the practice of compelling workers to join and pay dues to a
union. In 2001 Oklahoma became the first state in the country to pass such a law in more
than twenty-five years.
Fallin was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2006 where she represented the Fifth District of
Oklahoma. In Congress, Fallin served on the committees for small business, transportation,
and infrastructure, natural resources and armed services. Fallin coauthored numerous pieces
of legislation to lower taxes, reduce regulation on businesses and individuals, fight federal
overreach, increase American energy production, create jobs and protect constitutional
liberties.
As governor, Fallin has listed as her priorities job growth and retention, government mod-
ernization and streamlining, education reform and protecting Oklahoma from the intrusions
of Washington, D.C.
Fallin is married to Wade Christensen, an Oklahoma City attorney who is the state’s first “First
Gentleman.” The couple have six children between them. They attend Crossings Community
Church in northwest Oklahoma City.
68  Oklahoma Almanac

Key Personnel
Denise Northrup—Chief of Staff
Alex Weintz—Director of Communications
Michelle Waddell—Executive Assistant to the Governor
A.J. Mallory—Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Judy Copeland—General Counsel
Katy Altshuler—Director of Policy
Aaron Cooper—Press Secretary
Ashley Hahn—Director of Operations
Dana Wolpert—Director of Scheduling

Office
Oklahoma City—State Capitol, Room 212, Oklahoma City 73105–3207
(Agency Code 305, IA)
Tulsa—440 S Houston, 74127

Office Hours—8:30 am–5:00 pm Monday-Friday

Telephone—405/521–2342, FAX 405/521–3353
Tulsa—918/581–2801, FAX 918/581–2835
Web site—www.gov.ok.gov
Qualifications—Citizen of the United States, at least thirty-one years of age,
qualified elector at least ten years preceding election. State
Constitution, Article 6, Section 3.
Salary—$147,000 annually
Personnel—unclassified

Oklahoma Elected Officials
Governor—Mary Fallin
State Capitol, Room 212
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–2342, FAX 405/521–3353
Tulsa—State Office Building
440 S Houston, Tulsa 74127
918/581–2801, FAX 918/581–2835
Web site—www.gov.ok.gov
Lieutenant Governor—
Todd Lamb
State Capitol, Room 211
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–2161, FAX 405/525–2702
Web site—www.ltgov.ok.gov
Attorney General—Scott Pruitt
313 NE 21 Street
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–3921, FAX 405/521–6246
Tulsa—907 Detroit, Suite 750,
Tulsa, 74120–4200
918/581–2885, FAX 918/938–6348
Web site—www.oag.ok.gov
State Auditor and Inspector—
Gary Jones
State Capitol, Room 100
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–3495, FAX 405/521–3426
Web site—www.sai.ok.gov
State Treasurer—Ken Miller
State Capitol, Room 217
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–3191, FAX 405/521–4994
Web site—www.treasurer.ok.gov
Executive Branch  69
Insurance Commissioner—
John Doak
3625 NW 56 Street, Suite 100
Oklahoma City 73112
PO Box 53408 73152–3408
405/521–2828, FAX 405/521–6635
800/522–0071
Web site—www.oid.ok.gov
Commissioner of Labor—
Mark Costello
3017 N Stiles, Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–6100, FAX 405/521–6018
Tulsa—State Office Building
440 S Houston, Suite 300
Tulsa 74127
918/581–2400, FAX 918/581–2431
888/269–5353
Web site—www.ok.gov/odol
Superintendent of Public
Instruction—Janet Barresi
Oliver Hodge Building
2500 N Lincoln Boulevard, Rm. 121
Oklahoma City 73105–4599
405/521–3301, FAX 405/521–6205
Web site—www.sde.state.ok.us
Corporation Commissioners—
Bob Anthony, Jeff Cloud, and
Dana Murphy
2101 N Lincoln Boulevard,
Oklahoma City 73105
PO Box 52000, 73152–2000
Oklahoma City 73152
405/521–2211, FAX 405/521–6045
Web site—www.occeweb.com
70  Oklahoma Almanac

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Todd Lamb, Republican, was born on October 19, 1971, in Enid,
Oklahoma. Oklahoma elected Todd Lamb as Lieutenant Governor
on November 2, 2010. With a campaign focused on job growth and
economic development, Lamb achieved an overwhelming victory
and quickly began putting his forward-thinking ideas and agenda in
place. He was appointed to Governor Fallin’s cabinet as the advocate
for Oklahoma’s small business.
An Enid native, Lamb played football at Louisiana Tech University,
then returned to Oklahoma earning his bachelor’s degree from
Oklahoma State University, and his law degree from Oklahoma City University School of
Law. In 1993 Lamb worked on the campaign staff of gubernatorial candidate Frank Keating.
Upon Keating’s election, Lamb worked alongside the governor for four years. During his
time in the governor’s office, Lamb traveled to all of Oklahoma’s seventy-seven counties,
almost half of the United States, and two foreign countries promoting Governor Keating’s
pro-growth economic agenda.
In 1998 Lamb became a special agent with the United States Secret Service. During his U.S.
Secret Service tenure, Lamb investigated and made numerous arrests in the areas of coun-
terfeiting, bank fraud, threats against the president, and identity theft. His duties included
domestic and international protection assignments during the Clinton and George W. Bush
administrations. In 2000 Lamb was a site supervisor for George W. Bush’s presidential cam-
paign. In early 2001, he was appointed to the national Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he
received training and briefings at the CIA, FBI, and Secret Service headquarters in Washington,
D.C. After the terrorists’ attacks, he was assigned to portions of the 9/11 investigation.
Lamb departed the U.S. Secret Service in 2002 in order to spend more time with his wife
and young family. Upon leaving the U.S. Secret Service, he accepted a position on the staff
of United States Senator Don Nickles. Lamb was elected to his first term in the Oklahoma
Senate on November 2, 2004, by the voters of District 47 representing northwest Oklahoma
City and Edmond. Lamb was re-elected without opposition in 2008. In 2009 he became the
first Republican majority floor leader in state history.
Lamb and his wife, Monica, have been married fifteen years and have two children, Griffin
and Lauren. They are active members of Quail Springs Baptist Church, where Lamb serves
as a church deacon. He is active in many other civic and political organizations. In his spare
time, Lamb enjoys fishing, hunting, reading, and spending time with his family.
Key Personnel—Keith Beall, Chief of Staff; Ashley Kehl, Director of Communications; Rita
Chapman, Director of Scheduling; Phil Grenier, Director of Constituent Services;
and Hannah Roth, Receptionist.
Office—211 State Capitol, Oklahoma City 73105 (Agency Code 440, IA)
Office Hours—8:30 am–5:00 pm, Mon.‑Fri.
Telephone—405/521–2161; FAX 405/525–2702
Web site—www.ltgov.ok.gov
Qualifications for Office—The individual must be a citizen of United States, at least thirty-
one years of age and a qualified elector of the state for ten years prior to election to
office. State Constitution, Article 6, Section 3.
Salary—$109,900 annually
Personnel—8 non-merit, unclassified; 1 temporary
 Executive Branch  71

Office of the Attorney General

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Scott Pruitt, Republican, has always been a man of values, and a
man of action. As a child playing baseball, Pruitt put to use the values
of hard work and perseverance, and was able to take a game and turn
it into a college education at the University of Kentucky. And it did
not stop there.
After working his way through law school at the University of Tulsa,
Pruitt ventured into private practice. Instead of taking the traditional
route, however, Pruitt specialized in constitutional law.
In 1998 frustrated at the problems he saw in state government, Pruitt
decided to take on the political establishment and was elected to the Oklahoma Senate
serving the area of Broken Arrow. During Pruitt’s early years in the Senate, he passed the
Religious Freedoms Act. Through his leadership, Oklahoma became among the first group
of states to pass this type of act that makes it more difficult for a government to burden an
individual’s practicing of his or her faith, even in the public square.
Pruitt also served as assistant Republican floor leader for four years. He was the leading
spokesperson for workers’ compensation reform, championed lawsuit reform, greater
accountability for government spending and traditional, faith-based values, including
allowing faith-based organizations to partner with the state in helping prisoners successfully
re-integrate into society after their sentences were fulfilled.
From 2002 to 2010, Pruitt was co-owner and managing general partner of the Oklahoma
City Redhawks triple-A baseball team in Oklahoma City. The team regularly rates among
the league’s leaders in attendance and merchandise sales. Pruitt was elected Oklahoma
Attorney General on November 2, 2010.
Scott and Marlyn, his wife of twenty years, are raising two children, McKenna and Cade in
Broken Arrow. The Pruitts are members of First Baptist, Broken Arrow, where Pruitt serves
as deacon.
Office—313 NE 21 Street, Oklahoma City, 73105–3207
Tulsa Office: 907 Detroit, Suite 750, Tulsa, 74120–4200
(Agency Code 049, IA)
Office Hours—7:45 am–5:30 pm, Mon.‑Fri.
Telephone—Oklahoma City: 405/521‑3921, FAX 405/521–6246
Tulsa: 918/581–2885, FAX 918/938–6348
Web site—www.oag.ok.gov
Qualifications—The individual must be a U.S. citizen, at least thirty-one years old and
qualified elector in state for ten years prior to election to office. State Constitution,
Article 6, Section 3.
Salary—$132,825 annually
Personnel: 182 unclassified employees
72  Oklahoma Almanac

Office of State Auditor and Inspector

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Gary Jones, Republican, has spent much of his adult life seeking
to expand the accountability of elected officials and to improve the
delivery of government services.
Growing up in southwestern Oklahoma, Jones developed his strong
work ethic beginning as a paperboy at twelve years old. By age twenty,
he was supervising more than one hundred telephone operators and
managing the computerized scheduling system in Southwestern Bell’s
Lawton office. After a decade with the telephone company, Jones
embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and started a telecommunications
company that expanded from one part-time assistant to more than forty employees with
locations in Oklahoma and Texas. After sixteen years in operation, he sold his company in
order to pursue other ventures.
Jones ran for Comanche County Commissioner in 1994. During his four-year term, his district
built a record-setting thirty-four new steel and concrete bridges and worked with others
to help bring 1,000 new jobs to Comanche County. Speaking of record-setting, Jones was
elected chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party in 2003, and is distinguished as the
longest serving chairman and executive director in the storied history of the state party. He
resigned his position in 2010 to make a successful run for state auditor.
Jones graduated from Lawton Eisenhower High School in 1972 and earned a Bachelor of
Business Administration and Accounting degree from Cameron University in Lawton.
Jones and his wife, Mary Jane, live on their farm southwest of Cache where, together, they
raised two children, built their cow-calf operation for over thirty years and where Mary
Jane is a kindergarten teacher. Their son, Chris, is on active duty with the United States
Marine Corps and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Daughter, Kelly, is a math teacher
at Cache High School. They also have three wonderful grandchildren. They have attended
First Methodist Church in Cache since 1979. When it comes to getting the most out of life,
Jones holds close the three traditional virtues of God, country, and family.
Key Personnel—Steve Tinsley, Deputy State Director; Sheila Adkins, CISA, CPM, CIA,
Information Services; Ricky Branch, MBA, Local Government Services; Trey Davis,
Continuing Education; Lisa Hodges, CFE, CGFM, State Agency; Mark Hudson, CPA,
Gaming & Horse Racing, Minerals Management; and Diana Nichols, CPA, Quality
Assurance.
Office—Room 100, State Capitol, Oklahoma City, 73105 (Agency Code 300, IA)
Office Hours—8 am–5 pm Mon.–Fri.
Telephone—405/521‑3495, FAX 405/521–3426
Web site—www.sai.ok.gov
Qualifications For Office—The individual must be a U.S. citizen, at least thirty-one years
of age and qualified elector of the state for ten years prior to election and at least
three years experience as an expert accountant.
State Constitution, Article 6, Sections 3 and 19.
Salary—$114,713 annually
Personnel—140 non-merit, unclassified
 Executive Branch  73

Office of the State Treasurer

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Ken Miller, Republican, is the eighteenth state treasurer of
Oklahoma, serving since January 10, 2011. He was elected with almost
67 percent of the vote in the November 2010 General Election. Miller
served for six years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives where he
led the Appropriations and Budget Committee and guided Oklahoma
through the largest state spending cuts in state history, while maintain-
ing the delivery of core government services. Miller holds a doctorate
in political economics from the University of Oklahoma. He earned a
Master’s of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a
bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Lipscomb University.
Miller is an economics professor at Oklahoma Christian University. He has been honored
with the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” award and the Merrick Foundation Award
for Excellence in Teaching Free Enterprise. Prior to his election to the Oklahoma Legislature,
Miller served in the administration of Governor Frank Keating as chairman of the Legislative
Compensation Board where he established a ten-year freeze on legislative salaries. Prior
to his public service, Miller gained practical experience in the private sector. He began his
professional career in banking at First American National Bank before joining MediFax-EDS,
where he served as financial operations manager.
Key Personnel—Regina Birchum, Deputy Treasurer for Policy and Chief of Staff; Susan
Nicewander, Deputy Treasurer for Operations; Tim Allen, Deputy Treasurer for
Communications and Program Administration; LaTisha Reid, Internal Auditor/
Compliance; Sue McCoy MacHugh, Chief Investment Officer; Carole Bailey,
Banking Director; Sherian Kerlin, Securities Operations Manager; Sam Moore,
Accounting Manager; Travis Monroe, Director of Budget and Policy; Kathy Janes,
Unclaimed Property Director; and Lee Cosby, Director of Information Services.
Office—Room 217, State Capitol, Oklahoma City 73105 (Agency Code 740, IA)
Office Hours—8:00 am–5:00 pm (Administrative), 10:00‑3:30 (Cashier window)
Telephone—405/521‑3191, FAX 405/521–4994
Web site—www.treasurer.ok.gov
Qualifications for Office—The individual must be a U.S. citizen, at least thirty-one years
old and qualified elector in the state for ten years prior to election.
State Constitution, Article 6, Section 3.
Salary—$114,713 annually
Personnel—57 unclassified
74  Oklahoma Almanac

Insurance Commissioner
Constitution, Article 6 § 1
John Doak, Republican, was sworn in as the twelfth insurance
commissioner of Oklahoma on January 10, 2011. Doak takes the next
step in a distinguished career deeply grounded in providing insurance
options and coverage to Oklahomans.
The commissioner of insurance began his career in the field shortly
after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in political science, in 1988. Doak established his own
branch office of Farmer’s Insurance in Tulsa, and over the next six years
would receive numerous awards and commendations from Farmer’s
for his office’s success. Doak left Farmer’s Insurance to work in the executive level of the
insurance industry at firms such as Marsh, Aon Risk Services, HNI Risk Services, and finally
at Ascension Insurance, where he served as senior vice president of acquisitions.
Such diverse experience in the industry—from the branch level to the boardroom—is what
has given Doak a broad understanding of how insurance works; knowledge that will benefit
both the providers and customers of insurance products in Oklahoma. As insurance com-
missioner, Doak pledges to work with the industry, fostering competition and innovation
in insurance products and serving as an advocate for common sense solutions to insurance
issues, benefiting all Oklahomans.
Doak has a lengthy history of service to the Tulsa community, as well. He is a former board
member for the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House, the Tulsa Opera, and Dillon International
Adoption Agency. He also has served as a member of the Oklahoma Governor’s Round
Table for Business Development.
Doak and his wife, Debby, live in Tulsa with their children, Zack and Kasey.
Key Personnel—Paul Wilkening, Deputy Commissioner of Administration; Randy
Brogdon, Deputy Commissioner of Fraud, Consumer Affairs and Senior Advocate;
Mike Rhoads, Deputy Commissioner of Health Insurance; Denise Engle, Deputy
Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Insurance; Mike Thompson, Deputy
Commissioner of Government Relations and Public Affairs; Rick Farmer, PhD,
Assistant Commissioner of Government Relations and Public Affairs; Owen
Laughlin, Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs; Ellen Edwards, Deputy General
Counsel; Joel Sander, Deputy Commissioner of Finance.
Office—3625 NW 56 Street, Suite 100, Oklahoma City 73112
PO Box 53408, Oklahoma City 73152–3408
Telephone—405/521‑2828, 800/522‑0071, FAX 405/521–6635
Web site—www.oid.ok.gov
Office Hours—8:00‑5:00, Mon.–Fri.
Salary—$126,713 annually
Qualifications for Office—The individual must have five years experience in insurance
business prior to election, be a five-year resident of Oklahoma, and be at least twen-
ty-five years of age.
State Constitution, Article 6, Section 22.
Personnel—127 non-merit, unclassified
 Executive Branch  75

Commissioner of Labor
Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Mark Costello, Republican, , was elected state labor commissioner
on November 2, 2010. He is a fourth generation Oklahoman born in
Bartlesville. He graduated from College High in Bartlesville and fol-
lowing his older siblings, entered the University of Kansas from which
he graduated in 1980. To put himself through college, Mark worked
summers in and around the North Sea oil fields. Mark married Cathy
(Cerkey) in 1982, and together they are raising their five children, Anna
Marie, Ian, Christian, Kaitlyn, and Kolbe in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Costello is an experienced businessman who has met the bottom line.
He founded AMCAT, a telephone software company, in 1991, employing over one hundred
employees and generating tens of millions of dollars of payroll until it was successfully sold
in 2007. In 1998 he founded USA Digital Communications, Inc., a telecommunications com-
pany that is a licensed common carrier in over forty states. Costello’s business experience
and perspective uniquely qualifies him to advance conservative principles and encourage
the generation of jobs and opportunities for Oklahomans.
Costello is committed to be an active labor commissioner who will deploy existing resources
to better aid Oklahoma job producers. He will support legislative efforts to reduce govern-
ment bureaucracy and will work hard to promote private-sector job creation. Costello holds
that it is necessary to adopt an administrative system of workers’ compensation in order to
reduce the burden on existing businesses and justly compensate injured workers.
Key Personnel—Jim Marshall, Chief of Staff; John Goodwin, Deputy Commissioner;
Don Schooler, General Counsel; Cheryl Williams, Finance; Liz McNeill,
Communications; Cindy Sullivan, Special Assistant to the Commissioner; Seth Rott,
Research; Diana Jones, Director of OSHA Consultation Program and PEOSH; Tom
Monroe, Director of Safety Standards Division, and Chief Boiler Inspector; Laurie
Allen, Director of Asbestos Abatement Division; Bettye Finch, Director of Statistical
Research and Licensing Division; Ray Andrews, Director of Employment Standards
Division; and Sherri Henderson, Information Systems Administrator .
Office—3017 N Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone—405/521–6100, 888/269–5353, FAX 405/521–6018
Tulsa Office—440 S Houston, Suite 300, Tulsa 74127
Telephone—918/581–2400, FAX 918/581–2431
Web site—www.ok.gov/odol
E-mail—labor.info@labor.ok.gov
Qualifications For Office—There are no constitutional or statutory requirements.
Salary—$105,053 annually
Personnel—68 classified, 18 unclassified
76  Oklahoma Almanac

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Constitution, Article 6 § 1
Janet Barresi, Republican, was sworn in on January 10, 2011, as
Oklahoma’s first new state superintendent in twenty years. Barresi
is committed to giving every child in Oklahoma the chance to learn.
Armed with an undergraduate degree in education and a master’s
degree in speech and language disorders, Barresi worked in both the
Harrah and Norman public school systems as a speech pathologist.
While in Harrah, Barresi ran a special summer clinic for severely
handicapped children in need of remediation for speech and language
problems. After her work in public schools, she joined the Department
of Otolaryngology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she served
patients at both Children’s Hospital and University Hospital.
In 1984 she became Dr. Barresi when she earned her DDS degree and became a dentist.
Barresi has been a member of numerous professional organizations and has served as the
past president of the Oklahoma Association of Women Dentists. In fact, she has been so
well respected in the dental community that she recently received the Thomas Jefferson
Citizenship Award, an honor bestowed only on those dentists who have distinguished
themselves through community service. After twenty-four years, Barresi retired as a dentist
and business owner to concentrate solely on education issues.
In 1996, Barresi established Oklahoma’s first charter school, Independence Charter Middle
School, after passage of Oklahoma’s landmark charter school bill. Now in its eleventh year,
Independence serves 350 students and has a waiting list each year for acceptance.
Independence was so successful that Barresi was asked to start Harding Charter Preparatory
High School, where she served as board president. Focused on serving 400 inner-city high
school students, Harding offers a diverse student population a rigorous college preparatory
curriculum.
Barresi has remained active in changing the course of public education for all children in the
state. She has served as chairwoman of the ACE II Task Force, was involved in the develop-
ment of Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge’s Teacher Performance Pay Initiative and
served as a member of the Education Funding Reform Task Force.
Key Personnel—Jennifer Carter, Chief of Staff; Dr. Sharon A. Lease, Assistant State
Superintendent; Dr. Jack Herron, Assistant State Superintendent; Dr. Cindy
Koss, Assistant State Superintendent; and Misty Kimbrough, Assistant State
Superintendent.
Office—Room 121, Oliver Hodge Memorial Education Building, 2500 N Lincoln,
Oklahoma City 73105–4599
Office Hours—8:00‑4:30, Mon.–Fri.
Telephone—405/ 521‑3301, FAX 405/521–6205
Web site—www.sde.state.ok.us
Qualifications For Office—The individual must be a U.S. citizen, not less than thirty-one
years old and qualified elector of state for ten years prior to election.
State Constitution, Article 6, Section 3.
Salary—$124,373 annually
Personnel—1 classified, 299 unclassified
 Executive Branch  77

Corporation Commission
Constitution, Article 9 § 15
Office—2101 N Lincoln Boulevard, Jim Thorpe Building, Oklahoma City 73105
P.O. Box 52000, Oklahoma City 73152–2000
405/521–2211, FAX 405/521–6045
Tulsa Office—440 S Houston Ave., Suite 114, Tulsa 74127 • 918/581–2296
Website—www.occeweb.com
Bob Anthony, Republican, has served five times as chairman
of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He is a member of the
board of directors for the National Association of Regulatory Utility
Commissioners, and past chairman of the National Regulatory Research
Institute. The United States Secretary of Energy appointed Anthony
to the National Petroleum Council. He is past president of the Mid-
America Regulatory Conference, a member and past president of
the Economic Club of Oklahoma, and is a delegate to the worldwide
General Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Anthony holds a BS from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania;
a MSc from the London School of Economics; a Master of Arts from Yale University; and a
Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. He rose to the rank of captain in
the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1972 he served as staff economist for the United States House of
Representatives Interior Committee. From 1979 to 1980 Anthony served on the Oklahoma
City Council as Ward 2 Councilman and as vice mayor. In 1980, at age thirty-two, Anthony
became president of C.R. Anthony Company retail stores, then the largest privately-owned
firm headquartered in Oklahoma. During his seven-year term as president, annual sales
for the retail chain increased from $256 to $411 million and payroll, employment, and dollar
profits reached all-time record levels. In 1988 he was chairman of the Trust Committee of
Oklahoma’s largest bank trust department.
In 1995 the Federal Bureau of Investigation honored Anthony with its highest award given
to a citizen who “at great personal sacrifice, has unselfishly served his community and
the nation.” Among other recognitions, the American Association of Retired Persons of
Oklahoma presented Anthony with an award “in appreciation of his tireless efforts on behalf
of Oklahoma consumers.”
Anthony has been a statewide elected official longer than any current Oklahoma office holder,
winning his fourth consecutive six-year term on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in
November 2006. He initially ran for the Corporation Commission in 1988, becoming the first
Republican elected to that body in sixty years, and receiving more votes than any Republican
since statehood. In 1994 Anthony became the first Republican incumbent in Oklahoma his-
tory to win statewide reelection to a state office. In 2000 he was reelected, receiving more
votes at that time than any candidate for state office in Oklahoma history.
All four of Anthony’s grandparents came to Oklahoma before statehood. His father was
born in Cleveland, Oklahoma, and his mother grew up in Enid, Oklahoma. He and his wife,
Nancy, were married in 1975. They are the parents of four daughters.
Jeff Cloud, Republican, was elected statewide to a six-year term on the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission on November 5, 2002, and was overwhelmingly reelected November
4, 2008, to another six-year term. In addition, Cloud assumed the chairmanship of the com-
mission in June 2005 and served as chair through December 2008. He currently serves as
the commission’s vice-chairman.
78  Oklahoma Almanac

Cloud is a member of the Electricity Committee for the National Association of Regulatory
Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and the advisory board for the Center
or Public Utilities at New Mexico State University. He also is a member
of the Legal and Regulatory Committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas
Compact Commission (IOGCC), the Regional State Committee of the
Southwest Power Pool, and served on the Oklahoma Employees
Retirement System Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2010.
The Aspen institute honored Cloud as one of the top young elected offi-
cials by naming him as fellow for the Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship,
which brings together “the nation’s emerging leaders” to discuss broad
issues of democratic governance and effective public service.
Born in Tulsa and raised in Oklahoma City, Cloud earned a degree in petroleum land
management from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor from the Oklahoma City
University School of Law.
Cloud is married to the former Trish Caldwell. They reside in Oklahoma City where they
are raising their three children.
Dana L. Murphy, Republican, serves as chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Murphy was born in Woodward, Oklahoma, and is a fifth generation
Oklahoman deeply committed to her home state. After attending
Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she received
the Best All-Around Freshman Athlete Award, she attended Oklahoma
State University. She graduated in the top 10 percent in her class at
OSU, and received a bachelor’s degree in geology. After practicing as
a geologist for ten years, she obtained her law degree cum laude, while
working and attending night school at Oklahoma City University.
On November 4, 2008, Murphy was first elected to the statewide office
of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner for a partial two-year term.
On July 27, 2010, she was re-elected to a full six-year term. On January 3, 2011, Murphy became
chair of the commission, following election by her fellow commissioners.
Murphy’s prior experience includes working for almost six years as an administrative law
judge at the commission, where she was named Co-Employee of the Year in 1997, and
received the Commissioners’ Public Servant Award in 2001. She has more than twenty-two
years experience in the petroleum industry including owning and operating her own pri-
vate law firm focused on oil and gas title, regulatory practice and transactional work, and
working as a geologist.
Prior to joining the commission, she was a member of the board of directors for Farmers
Royalty Company. She is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility
Commissioners (NARUC), where she serves on the Energy Resources and the Environment
Committee. She is a member of the OSU Water Research Advisory Board, the Oklahoma
Bar Association, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Edmond Chamber of
Commerce, and Oklahoma City Geological Society. She also serves as the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission representative on the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Public
Employees Retirement System, and is a member of the Salvation Army’s Central Oklahoma
Area Command Advisory Board. Murphy serves as a member of the Energy Advocates, and
in March 2007 was recognized as an outstanding woman in energy. She previously served
as a trustee and is currently a care chaplain for the Church of the Servant United Methodist
Church in Oklahoma City. Murphy, a part-time personal fitness trainer, lives in Edmond, but
continues to be actively involved in her family’s farm and ranch in Ellis County, Oklahoma.

Governor Fallin’s Cabinet
(74 O.S. 2001 § 10.3)
Secretary of State—Glenn Coffee
State Capitol, Room 101
2300 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City 73105–4897
405/522–3912, FAX 405/521–2031
Secretary of Agriculture—Jim Reese
2800 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City 73105–4298
PO Box 528804, 73152–8804
405/522–5719, FAX 405/522–0909
Secretary of Commerce & Tourism—
Dave Lopez
900 N Stiles, Oklahoma City 73126–0980
405/815–5306, FAX 405/815–5290
Secretary of Education—Phyllis
Hudecki
1500 S. Midwest Boulevard, Suite 210
Midwest City 73110
405/868–8806, FAX 405/869–8809 3600 N Martin Luther King
Secretary of Energy—C. Michael Ming
100 N Broadway, Suite 2430
Oklahoma City 73102
405/285–9213, FAX 405/285–9212
Secretary of Environment—
Gary L. Sherrer
3800 Classen Boulevard
Oklahoma City 73118
405/530–8995, FAX 405/530–8999
Secretary of Finance and Revenue—
Preston Doerflinger
State Capitol, Room 122,
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–2141, FAX 405/521–3902
Secretary of Health & Human
Services—Terry Cline
1000 NE 10 Street, Oklahoma City 73117
405/271–5600
Executive Branch  79
Secretary of Human Resources &
Administration—Oscar B. Jackson Jr.
2101 N Lincoln Blvd., Room G–80
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–6301, FAX 405/524–6942
Secretary of Information Technology
& Telecommunications—Alex Pettit
State Capitol, Room 122
2300 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–2141, FAX 405/521–3902
Secretary of the Military—
Major Gen. Myles L. Deering
3501 Military Circle
Oklahoma City 73111–4398
405/228–5201, FAX 405/228–5524
Secretary of Safety and Security—
Michael C. Thompson
Oklahoma City 73111
PO Box 11415
Oklahoma City, 73136
405/425–2424, FAX 405/425–2324
Secretary of Science & Technology—
Dr. Stephen (W.S.) McKeever
203 Whitehurst
PO Box 112
Stillwater 74078
405/744–6501, FAX 405/744–6244
Secretary of Transportation—
Gary Ridley
200 NE 21 Street, Oklahoma City 73105–3204
405/522–1800, FAX 405/522–1805
Secretary of Veterans Affairs—
Major Gen. Rita Aragon
2311 N Central, Oklahoma City 73105
405/521–3684, FAX 405/521–6533
80  Oklahoma Almanac

Secretary of State
Glenn Coffee
101 State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73105–
4897 • 405/521–3912, FAX 405/521–2031 • www.sos.ok.gov
Glenn Coffee is a businessman, attorney, and family man who was
the first Republican in Oklahoma history to serve as President Pro
Tempore, the top leadership position in the Oklahoma State Senate.
Coffee was also the longest-serving Republican leader in the Senate.
In 2008 Republicans made history by winning their first-ever major-
ity in the Oklahoma Legislature’s upper chamber. As the leader of the
new majority, Coffee was elected to a two-year term as President Pro
Tempore serving from 2009 to 2010.
First elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1998, Coffee quickly gained a reputation as a leader
and a reformer. He has served in a variety of leadership posts in the Senate, including minority
floor leader from 2004 to 2006, and as Senate Co-President Pro Tempore from 2007 to 2008.
Coffee earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Northeastern State University
in 1989, and was named Outstanding Senior. He received a law degree from the University
of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992.
Throughout his twelve years in the Oklahoma Legislature, Coffee was honored by numerous
organizations for his dedication to education, as well as for his efforts to improve public
safety and for his legislation aimed at better protecting Oklahoma’s children. The Higher
Education Alumni Association honored Coffee with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his
support of higher education, and Northeastern State University awarded Coffee the 2003
Citation of Merit, Young Alumnus Award. The Institute for Child Advocacy named Coffee
to its Child Advocates Hall of Fame. Coffee received appreciation awards from the District
Attorneys Council, the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, and the State Troopers Association
for his support of law enforcement and public safety issues.
Coffee was selected as the 2009 Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Rifle Association
and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. In 2010 Coffee received the State
Chamber of Oklahoma’s Spirit of Leadership Award for creating the first Republican majority
in Oklahoma’s Senate history as well as becoming first Republican President Pro Tempore.
Coffee received the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 2010 National Legislator of
the Year Award.
Coffee serves as general counsel for the TVC Marketing Association, a family business
providing road and motor club services and other services to small businesses. Coffee lives
in Oklahoma City with his wife, Lisa, and their four children, sons Collin and Blaine and
daughters Anna and Kate.
The secretary of state is responsible for the following executive entities:
Secretary of State, Office of
Access to Justice Commission
Council on Judicial Complaints
Ethics Commission
Judicial Nominating Commission
National Conference of Commissioners on
Uniform State Law
Professional Responsibility Tribunal
State Election Board
 Executive Branch  81

Secretary of Agriculture
Jim Reese
2800 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73105–4298 • 405/522–
5719, FAX 405/522–0909
Jim Reese was appointed to the position of Secretary of Agriculture
by Governor Mary Fallin and has been serving in that capacity since
January 10, 2011. Reese was raised on a wheat and dairy farm in north
central Oklahoma, where he continues to farm today. He attended
Deer Creek-Lamont High School, Northern Oklahoma College,
and Oklahoma State University and received a bachelor’s degree
in engineering technology. In 1986 he was elected to the House of
Representatives where he served for 15 years. While serving in the Oklahoma Legislature
he was selected by the George W. Bush Administration to serve as state executive director
of the Farm Service Agency for eight years. He was then chosen by House Speaker Chris
Benge to serve as policy advisor to the Speaker of the House. Secretary Reese is a long time
agricultural and rural advocate. He and his wife, Margaret, have four children.
The secretary of agriculture is responsible for the following executive entities:
Agriculture Enhancement and Oil Seed Commission
Diversification Advisory Board Peanut Commission
Beef Council Pecan Marketing Board
Biofuels Development Advisory. Committee Pest Control Compact
Boll Weevil Eradication Organization Poultry Feeding Operations Act Rule
Bureau of Standards Advisory Committee
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Sheep and Wool Commission
Act Rule Advisory Committee Sorghum Commission
Conservation Commission South Central Interstate Forest Fire
County Fair Enhancement Program Protection Compact and Advisory
Dept. of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Committee
Farm to School Program Southern Dairy Compact
Fire Ant Research and Management State Board of Agriculture
Advisory Committee State Board of Registration for Foresters
Wheat Commission

Secretary of Commerce and Tourism

Dave Lopez
900 N Stiles, Oklahoma City 73126–0980 • 405/815–5306,
FAX 405/815–5290
Lopez was appointed secretary of commerce and tourism by Governor
Mary Fallin, and began his duties on March 1, 2011. Long active in
corporate and community leadership positions, Lopez continues to
direct his energies to civic and business endeavors after retiring as an
officer of SBC Communications (now AT&T).
Before concluding a 22–year career with AT&T, Lopez held a variety of
executive positions with its predecessor company in Houston, Dallas,
St. Louis, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Austin. Lopez served as an officer of the corpora-
tion, including a four-year assignment as its president of Oklahoma and later as president
of Texas. After retiring from AT&T and returning to Oklahoma City, Lopez served as the
82  Oklahoma Almanac

president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., and of the American Fidelity Foundation.
He has been recognized for his contributions with honors that include induction into the
Hall of Honor and Commerce from Oklahoma City University, the Dean A. McGee Award
from Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., and the Humanitarian of the Year from the Oklahoma
City Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In addition, Oklahoma
Christian University has presented Lopez with an honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree
and he previously served as a regent of the Texas Tech University System.
Lopez is a member of the board of directors of American Fidelity Corporation and of
BancFirst Corporation. As a community volunteer, he serves on the boards of the Oklahoma
City National Memorial, the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust, Oklahoma City
Community College, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma
Health Center Foundation.
Lopez was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from
New Mexico State University in 1974, and a Master of Arts degree from the same institution
in 1979. Lopez is married to the former Lana Blakley. They have five children and seven
grandchildren.
The secretary of commerce and tourism is responsible for the following executive entities:
Commerce entities— Tourism entities—
Department of Commerce 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Memorial of
Department of Labor and Labor Reconciliation Design Committee
Commissioner African American Centennial Plaza Design
Electronic Commerce Task Force Committee
Employment Security Commission and Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Corridor Advisory
State Advisory Council and Board Review Committee
Greenwood Area Redevelopment Authority Department of Tourism and Recreation
Midwestern Oklahoma Development Geographic Information Council
Authority Governor’s Commission for Oklahoma
Northeast Oklahoma Public Facilities Artisans
Authority Historic Preservation Review Committee
Office for Minority and Disadvantaged Historical Records Advisory Board
Business Enterprises Humanities Council
Oklahoma Capital Investment Board J.M. Davis Memorial Commission
Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Music Hall of Fame Board
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Native American Cultural and Educational
Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority Authority
Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Oklahoma Arts Council
Board Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Commemoration Commission
Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority Oklahoma Film and Music Advisory Comm.
Small Business Regulatory Review Oklahoma Historical Society
Committee Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
Southern Growth Policies Board Oklahoma Sam Noble Museum of Natural
Sub-State Planning Districts History
Workforce Investment Board Register of Natural Heritage Areas
Scenic Rivers Commission
State Geographer
State Register of Natural Heritage Areas
Tourism and Recreation Commission
Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee
War on Terror Memorial Design Committee
Will Rogers Memorial Committee
 Executive Branch  83

Secretary of Education
Phyllis Hudecki
1500 S. Midwest Boulevard, Suite 210, Midwest City 73110 • 405/868–
8806, FAX 405/869–8809
Hudecki was appointed secretary of education by Governor Mary
Fallin on November 24, 2010. A native of Morris, Oklahoma, she has
over thirty years experience in education. Hudecki began her career
in education as a teacher in Norwich, Connecticut, and served as an
assistant principal at a technical high school in Kansas City, Missouri.
She has worked in the Iowa, Missouri, and Massachusetts state depart-
ments of education as well as the U.S. Department of Education in
Washington, D.C. Hudecki also served as an associate director of the National Center for
Research in Vocational Education at the University of California-Berkeley from 1991 to 2000.
In June 2000, she became director of the Oklahoma Business & Education Coalition. She
holds a bachelor’s and doctorate degree in education from Oklahoma State University; an
educational specialist degree in education administration from the University of Missouri-
Kansas City; and a master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut.
The secretary of education is responsible for the following executive entities:
Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Oklahoma State Department of Education
Committee Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Advancement of Hispanic Students in Education
Higher Education Task Force Oklahoma Department of Career and
Archives and Records Commission Technology Education
Career and Technology Education Board Physician Manpower Training Commission
Career and Technology Education Post-secondary Oversight Council
Department Private Vocational Schools Board
College and University Boards of Regents or Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference
Trustees Center and Nature Park, and Board of
Common Schools Capital Improvement Trustees
Needs Assessment Committee Regional University System
County Government Personnel Education School and County Funds Management
and Training Commission Commission
Department of Education School of Science and Mathematics, and
Education Commission of the States Board of Trustees
Education Oversight Board Southern Regional Educational Compact,
Educational Professional Standards Board and Board of Control
Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory State Accrediting Agency
Committee State Anatomical Board
Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Division State Board of Education
of the Oklahoma Career and Technology State Council on Vocational Education
Education Advisory Committee State Regents for Higher Education
Oklahoma Commission for Teacher State Textbook Committee
Preparation Student Loan Authority
Oklahoma Community Service Commission Student Tracking and Reporting
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority Coordinating Committee
Oklahoma Department of Libraries Board Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
Board
84  Oklahoma Almanac

Secretary of Energy
C. Michael Ming
100 N Broadway, Suite 2430, Oklahoma City 73102 • 405/285–9213,
FAX 405/285–9212
C. Michael Ming currently was appointed secretary of energy by
Governor Mary Fallin on January 5, 2011. He formerly served as the
president of the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America
(RPSEA), and as an independent natural gas producer as a managing
member and principal of K. Stewart Energy Group and K. Stewart
Petroleum Corporation. He holds a bachelor of science degree with
distinction in petroleum engineering and an master of science degree
in engineering management, both from Stanford University. Ming is a registered professional
engineer in Oklahoma. Ming is an emeritus member and past chairman of the Petroleum
Investments Committee at Stanford University. He is actively involved in the University’s
energy programs and co-sponsored the MAP/Ming Visiting Professorship on Energy and
the Environment. He currently serves on advisory boards for the Stanford School of Earth
Sciences, the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas, and MAP. He for-
merly served on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Future of Natural Gas Study,
the Oklahoma Clean Energy Independence Commission, as an adjunct professor in energy
management at the University of Oklahoma, and as an oil and gas strategic planning advisor
to the Department of Energy.
The secretary of energy is responsible for the following executive entities:
Commission on Marginally Producing Oil LPG Research, Marketing, & Safety
and Gas Wells Committee
Corporation Commission Miner Training Institute
Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Oklahoma Department of Mines
GRDA Board of Directors Nominating Oklahoma Energy Resources Board
Committee Oklahoma Mining Commission
Interstate Mining Commission Southern States Energy Board
Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission Southern States Energy Compact
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Board Storage Tank Advisory Council

Secretary of Environment
Gary L. Sherrer
3800 Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73118 • 405/530–8995,
FAX 405/530–8999 • www.environment.ok.gov
Gary L. Sherrer was named Oklahoma’s sixth secretary of environment
by Governor Mary Fallin on January 14, 2011. In addition to serving
as Governor Fallin’s lead advisor on environmental matters, he is
currently serving as assistant vice president for external relations in
Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources (DASNR).
Sherrer served four consecutive terms in the Oklahoma House of
Representatives. Sherrer served as caucus chairman, assistant floor leader, and chaired
the House Agriculture Committee during his tenure in the legislature. He was appointed
by Governor David Walters to serve as Oklahoma’s first secretary of agriculture, and was
 Executive Branch  85

selected as commissioner and president of the State Board of Agriculture. Sherrer then
served Governor Frank Keating as Secretary of Environment and executive director of the
Water Resources Board. The Murrah Building bombing occurred during Sherrer’s time
there which resulted in the complete destruction of the Water Resources Board offices. He
subsequently partnered with First Lady Cathy Keating for the administration of funds for
educational needs for families of victims.
On Governor Brad Henry’s Transition Team, he served as a member of the Agriculture
Committee, chaired the Energy Committee and chaired the Environment, Utilities, and
Natural Resources Committee. Sherrer has served as chief administrative officer and assis-
tant chief executive officer for KAMO, a power generation and transmission firm in Vinita,
Oklahoma. Sherrer serves on the board of directors for Rural Enterprises, Incorporated.
Sherrer obtained a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.
He volunteered for military service and served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War.
Sherrer and his wife, Judith, live in Stillwater with their daughter Connor.
The secretary of environment is responsible for the following executive entities:
Air Quality Council Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation
Arkansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Assistance Trust
Compact Commission Oklahoma-Texas Red Rivery Boundary
Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee Compact
Arkansas-White-Red River Basins Radiation Management Advisory Council
Interagency Commission Red River Compact Commission
Bioenergy Initiative, Oklahoma Rural Action Partnership Program
Canadian River Commission Rural Area Development Task Force
Carbon Sequestration Advisory Committee Solid Waste Management Advisory Council
Central Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Water Law Advisory Committee
Waste Compact Commission Water Quality Mgmt Advisory Council
Compliance Advisory Panel Water Research Institute
Department of Environmental Quality Water Resources Board
Department of Wildlife Conservation Water Resources Research Coordinating
Environmental Quality Board Committee
Hazardous Waste Management Advisory Waterworks and Wastewater Works
Council Advisory Council
Kansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Wildlife Conservation Commission
Commission Wildlife Conservation Department
Laboratory Services Advisory Council

Secretary of Finance and Revenue

Preston Doerflinger
122 State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73105 •
405/521–2141, FAX 405/521–3902
Doerflinger was appointed secretary of finance and revenue by
Governor Mary Fallin on January 19, 2011. He also serves as the director
of the Office of State Finance (OSF). As director of OSF, Doerflinger plays
an important role in developing, communicating, and implement-
ing executive branch fiscal policies and oversees preparation of the
governor’s executive budget for submission to the legislature. Prior
to his appointment as secretary of finance and revenue, Doerflinger
founded and served as chief executive officer of PLD Management, a business consulting
and investment firm. In 2009 he was elected city auditor of Tulsa. He received a bachelor’s
86  Oklahoma Almanac

degree in organizational leadership from Southern Nazarene University. Doerflinger and

his wife, Jill, live in Tulsa with their son Kros.
The secretary of finance and revenue is responsible for the following executive entities:
Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Lottery Commission Board of Trustees
Relations Mortgage Broker Advisory Committee
Board of Trustees/Teachers’ Retirement Multiple Injury Trust Fund
System Office of State Finance
Board on Legislative Compensation Oklahoma College Savings Plan and Board
Building Bonds Commission of Trustees
Capitol Improvement Authority Oklahoma Development Finance Authority
Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Advisory Oklahoma Pension Commission
Committee Okla. Public Employees Retirement System
Commissioners of the Land Office Oklahoma Tax Commission
CompSource Board of Managers Physician Advisory Committee
CompSource Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System
Consumer Credit Commission Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty
Contingency Review Board Association
Council of Bond Oversight Property and Casualty Rates Board
Department of Consumer Credit Securities Commission
Department of Securities Special Agency Account Board
Firefighters Pension and Retirement Board State Auditor and Inspector
Incentive Review Committee State Banking Board
Industry Advisory Committee State Banking Department
Insurance Commissioner State Board of Equalization
Insurance Department State Bond Advisor
Internet Applications Review Board State Treasurer
Judicial Compensation Board Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement
Land Office Commissioners Committee
Law Enforcement Retirement Board Teachers’ Retirement System
Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Assoc. Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
Linked Deposit Review Board Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council
Long-Range Capital Planning Commission

Secretary of Health & Human Services

Terry L. Cline PhD
1000 NE 10 Street, Oklahoma City 73117 • 405/271–5600
Cline was appointed secretary of health and human services by
Governor Mary Fallin on January 31, 2011. Cline also serves as Oklahoma’s
Commissioner of Health, a position he has held since June 30, 2009.
Cline previously completed a post as Health Attache at the U.S. Embassy
in Baghdad, Iraq, where he advised the U.S. Ambassador, the Iraqi
Minister of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services on health-related challenges in Iraq. He served in this capacity
under the administrations of President George W. Bush and President
Barack Obama. Cline also served as administrator for the federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration from 2006–2008, where he directed the $3.3 billion
agency that is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity, and effectiveness of
the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health service
delivery systems. In 2004 he was appointed by Governor Brad Henry as Oklahoma’s secretary
of health. He also served as the commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health
 Executive Branch  87

and Substance Abuse Services. His professional history also includes staff psychologist at
McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts; clinical instructor in the Harvard Medical
School Department of Psychiatry; and chair of the governing board for a Harvard teaching
hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cline earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from
the University of Oklahoma in 1980. He received a master’s degree and doctorate degree in
clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University. The secretary of health is responsible
for the following executive entities or their successors:
Advisory Committee for Medical Care for Faith-based and Community Initiatives
Public Assistance Recipients Food Service Advisory Council
Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Genetic Counseling Advisory Committee
Abuse Governor’s Advisory Committee on
Advisory Council on Traumatic Spinal Cord Employment of People with Disabilities
and Traumatic Brain Injury Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness and
Agent Orange Outreach Committee Sports
Aging Council Governor’s Health Care Workforce
Alarm and Locksmith Industry Committee Resources Board
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention & Life Governor’s Interagency Council on
Skills Education Advisory Council Homelessness
Alcohol and Drug Counselors Governor’s United We Ride Council
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Governor’s Transformation Advisory Board
Training, Treatment & Rehabilitation Group Homes for Persons with
Authority Developmental or Physical Disabilities
Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Community Advisory Board
Mental Health Planning and Handicapped Concerns Advisory
Coordination Boards Committee
Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council Handicapped Concerns Office
Barber Advisory Board Health Care Information Advisory
Blind Vendors Committee Committee
Boxing Commission Health Care Study Commission
Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Health Care Workforce Resources Board
Treatment Advisory Committee Hearing Aid Advisory Council
Cerebral Palsy Commission Home Health Advisory Board
Child Abuse Examination Board Hospice Advisory Board
Child Abuse Prevention Hospital Advisory Council
Child Abuse Prevention Training and Human Services Commission
Coordination Council Human Services Department
Child Death Review Board Indian Affairs Commission
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Interstate Compact on Mental Health
Advisory Committee J.D. McCarty Center for Children with
Children and Youth Commission Developmental Disabilities
Community Hospitals Authority Juvenile Affairs Board
Community Social Services Center Juvenile Affairs Office
Authority Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group
Consumer Advocacy Licensed Behavioral Practitioners Advisory
Cord Blood Donations Advisory Council Board
Department of Health Licensed Marital and Family Therapist
Dept. of Mental Health/Substance Abuse Committee
and Board Licensed Professional Counselors Advisory
Developmental Disabilities Council Board
Early Childhood Intervention Interagency Long-Term Care Administrators Board of
Coordination Council Examiners
Emergency Response Systems Development Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board
Advisory Council Medical Direction Subcommittee
88  Oklahoma Almanac

Medical Micropigmentation Advisory Sanitarian and Environmental Specialist

Council
Mental Health Advisory Committee on
Deafness & Hearing Impairment
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma State University Medical
Authority
Organ Donor Education and Awareness
Program Advisory Council
Partnership for Children’s Behavioral
Health
Placement of Children Interstate Compact
Post Adjudication Review Advisory Board
Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy and
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Public Guardian Office
Rehabilitation Services Commission
Rehabilitation Services Department
Residents and Family State Council
Registration Advisory Council
Santa Claus Commission
Services to Mentally Ill Homeless Persons
Interagency Council
State Board of Health
State-Tribal Relations Joint Committee
Statewide Independent Living Council
Strategic Planning Committee on the
Olmstead Decision
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund
Board of Directors
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Advisory Committee
Trauma Systems Improvement and
Development Advisory Council
University Hospitals Authority
Vision Screening Advisory Committee For
Children
Youth Suicide Prevention Council

Secretary of Human Resources

and Administration
Oscar B. Jackson Jr.
G–80 Jim Thorpe Building, 2101 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City
73105 • 405/521–6301, FAX 405/524–6942
Oscar Jackson serves as cabinet secretary of Human Resources and
Administration. He is also administrator of the Office of Personnel
Management. As such, Jackson provides general oversight and serves as
liaison with several state government agencies. The Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) administers a comprehensive, multi-functional
human resources system for the state service. Major components of
the system include position classification, compensation, and benefits,
salary administration, recruitment, and certification, human resources development, the
Certified Public Manager Program, the Carl Albert Public Internship Program, and employee
assistance. OPM monitors state agencies’ affirmative action efforts and employee transac-
tions. OPM also provides staff support to several advisory committees including the Oversight
Committee for State Employee Contributions; the Productivity Enhancement Program
Committee; and the Governor’s Ethnic American, Asian American, and Latin American
and Hispanic Affairs Advisory councils.
Jackson is a member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, Employees
Benefits Council, Committee for Incentive Awards for State Employees for the Productivity
Enhancement Program, and the Oversight Committee for State Employees Charitable
Contributions. Jackson was initially named administrator of the Office of Personnel
Management and cabinet secretary for Human Resources in June 1991 by Governor David
Walters. In January 1995 he was reappointed by Governor Frank Keating. In January 2003
Governor Brad Henry continued his appointment as OPM administrator and expanded his
role to cabinet secretary of Human Resources and Administration. Governor Mary Fallin
continued both appointments on November 22, 2010.

The secretary of human resources and administration is responsible for the following execu-
tive entities or their successors:
Accountancy Board
Advanced Practice Nurse Formulary
Advisory Council
Affirmative Action Review Committee
Alternative Fuels Technician Examiners
Hearing Board
Athletic Trainers Advisory Committee
Board of Licensed Social Workers
Capitol-Medical Center Improvement
and Zoning Commission and Citizens
Advisory Committee
Certified Public Manager Advisory Board
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Formulary Advisory Committee
Chiropractic Examiners Board
Compensation and Unclassified Positions
Review Board
Construction Industries Board
Dentistry Board
Department of Central Services
Dietetic Registration Advisory Committee
Electrical Examiners Committee and
Hearing Board
Electronic and Information Technology
Accessibility Advisory Council
Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board
Employee Assistance Program Advisory
Council
Employee Child Daycare Advisory
Committee
Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian-
American Affairs
Governor’s Advisory Council on Latin
American and Hispanic Affairs
Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory
Council
Home Inspectors Examiners Committee
Horse Racing Commission
Human Rights Commission
Incentive Awards for State Employees
Committee
Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects, State/Education Employees Group
and Interior Designers Board
Licensed Social Workers
Manufactured Home Advisory Committee Veterinary Medical Examiners Board
Executive Branch  89
Medical Examiners Committee and Hearing
Board
Medical Licensure and Supervision Board
Mentor Selection Advisory Committee
Merit Protection Commission
Motor Vehicle Commission
Nursing Board and Formulary Advisory
Council
Occupational Therapy Advisory Committee
Office of Personnel Management
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of
Women
Optometry Examiners Board
Osteopathic Examiners Board
Oversight Committee for State Employee
Charitable Contributions
Perfusionists Board of Examiners
Pharmacy Board
Physical Therapy Committee
Physician’s Assistant Advisory Committee
Plumbing Examiners Committee and
Plumbing Hearing Board
Podiatric Medical Examiners Board
Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Board of Registration
Psychologist Board of Examiners
Public Employees Relations Board
Real Estate Appraiser Board
Real Estate Commission
Registered Electrologists Advisory
Committee
Respiratory Care Advisory Committee
Sanitarian Registration Advisory Council
Savings and Loan Advisory Council
Sheriff’s Personnel Task Force
Speech Pathology and Audiology Board of
Examiners
State Board of Cosmetology
State Capitol Preservation Commission
State Employees Benefits Council
State Use Committee
Insurance Board
Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission
90  Oklahoma Almanac

Secretary of Information Technology and

Telecommunications
Alex Pettit
122 State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73105 •
405/521–2141, FAX 405/521–3902
Pettit was appointed secretary of information technology and tele-
communications by Governor Mary Fallin on January 5, 2011. He also
serves as the state’s chief information officer in the Office of State
Finance, where he manages the Information Services Division. Pettit
has jurisdictional responsibility related to information and telecom-
munications systems of all Oklahoma state agencies as provided under
the Oklahoma Services Information Act. Moreover, he is responsible
for approving state agencies’ procurement of information technology and telecommunica-
tion hardware, software, maintenance, and consulting services. Pettit has global industry,
government, and Big 4 consulting experience, and is a recognized leader in Enterprise
Architecture. He has directed both industry and consulting organizations in diverse roles
as a chief technology officer, vice president of BCP service line leader, and senior manager
and regional director of technology and telecommunications. He has received the Best of
Texas Award for IT leadership, the Public Technology Institute IT Leadership Award, and the
Society for Information Management IT Executive of the Year Award for his leadership. Pettit
is a published author on IT leadership in Studies in E-Government, Government Technology
magazine, the Journal for Enterprise Architecture, and most recently in the 2009 SIM Guide
to Enterprise Architecture. He is certified by the Disaster Recovery Institute International as
a certified business continuity professional. He also holds certifications with Novell, Filenet,
Sun Systems, and IBM.
The secretary of information technology and telecommunications is responsible for the
following executive entities or their successors:
Electronic and Information Technology State Governmental Technology
Accessibility Advisory Council Applications Review Board

Secretary of the Military

Major General Myles L. Deering
3501 Military Circle, Oklahoma City 73111–4398 • 405/228–5201,
FAX 405/228–5524
Major General Myles L. Deering serves as the secretary of the military
as well as the adjutant general of Oklahoma. As such, he is responsible
for commanding units of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard.
He also serves as the military advisor to the governor. Deering was com-
missioned in 1976 through the Texas Army National Guard. After his
transfer into the Oklahoma Army National Guard, he rose through the
ranks to command the 700th Support Battalion and served as director
for the Human Resources Directorate as well as the director for the Plans, Operations, and
Training Directorate. He served as joint staff director before he assumed command of the
45th Infantry Brigade in December 2004. He commanded the 45th Infantry Brigade during
deployments to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. Governor
Henry appointed Deering as secretary of the military in February 2009, and Governor Mary
 Executive Branch  91

Fallin reappointed him to the position on December 13, 2010.

The secretary of the military is responsible for the following executive entities or their suc-
cessors:
Military Department Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning
Oklahoma Homefront Task Force Commission
State Adjutant General

Secretary of Safety and Security

Michael C. Thompson
3600 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73111; PO Box
11415 Oklahoma City 73136 • 405/425–2424, FAX 405/425–2324
Michael C. Thompson was appointed secretary of safety and security
by Governor Mary Fallin on December 20, 2010. He also serves as
commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. As commissioner,
Thompson is directly responsible for the Department of Public Safety,
which includes the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). Thompson rose
to the rank of major with the OHP before being appointed commis-
sioner by Governor Fallin. While assigned to the OHP, he graduated
from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Thompson is also a colonel in the
Oklahoma National Guard, and a decorated combat veteran of two deployments to Iraq
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
from Langston University; a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University; and a master’s
degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
The secretary of safety and security is responsible for the following executive entities:
Adult Offender Supervision, Oklahoma Homeland Security Director, Office of
State Council for Interstate Governor’s Executive Panel on Security &
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy Board Preparedness
Alcohol and Drug Influence Board of Tests Governor’s Committee on Homeland
Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Security Funding
Amber Alert Indigent Defender System Board
Attorney General Indigent Defense System Board, Appellate
Chief Medical Examiner Board of Medicolegal Investigations
Corrections Board State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Crime Victims Compensation Board Drugs Control
Corrections Department State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Council on Law Enforcement Education Drugs Control Commission
and Training National Crime Prevention and Privacy
District Attorney’s Council Compact Council
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Nonresident Violator Compact Board
Advisory Council Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation,
Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and Commission
Driver’s License Compact Pardon and Parole Board
Driver’s License Medical Advisory Comm. Polygraph Examiners Board
Emergency Management Advisory Council Public Safety Department
Emergency Management Department Sentencing Commission
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Sick Leave Review Board
Commission State Fire Marshal Office
Highway Safety Coordinating Committee Statewide Nine-One-One Advisory Board
Highway Safety Office
92  Oklahoma Almanac

Secretary of Science and Technology

Dr. Stephen W.S. McKeever
203 Whitehurst, Stillwater 74078 • 405/744–6501, FAX 405/744–6244
McKeever was appointed secretary of science and technology by
Governor Mary Fallin on January 6, 2011. He also serves as vice president
for the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Research and Technology
Transfer, and as the executive director of the OSU Multispectral Lab
in Ponca City. McKeever joined the OSU physics faculty in 1983, and
attained the rank of associate in 1986, full professor in 1989, and regents
professor in 1990. He was named a Noble Research Fellow in Optical
Materials 1987, served as head of the department from 1995 to 1999, and
as associate dean for research in the College of Arts & Sciences from 2000 to 2003. McKeever
was named the MOST (More Oklahoma Science and Technology) Chair of Experimental
Physics in 1999. He became vice president in 1993.
McKeever’s research and technology transfer experience has led him to strong interests
and substantial experience in how best to transition technology from the state’s research
institutions into commercial enterprises for the benefit of the local and state economies,
and the creation of innovative and scalable models for technology commercialization and
job growth within the state. His personal research interest involving radiation sensor devel-
opment have led to new patents and licenses, a new company formation in Stillwater, and
almost $13 million in external funding for the university. He formed and created Radiation
Physics group at OSU, now consisting of five full-time faculty members plus postdoctoral
assistants, graduate, and undergraduate students.
McKeever has authored or co-authored 190 scientific publications and six books. He has six
U.S. and nine international patents. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a Fellow
of the Institute of Physics, and a member of the Health Physics Society. He sits on numer-
ous committees and boards including the Oklahoma Technology and Research Park, the
Oklahoma BioEnergy Center, the Oklahoma Bioscience Association, Oklahoma EPSCOR,
and the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research. He has served on several editorial
boards, and is presently consulting editor of the Elsevier journal Radiation Measurements.
The secretary of science and technology is responsible for the following executive entities:
Archeological Survey Geological Survey
Biological Survey Science and Technology Council
Climatological Survey Science and Technology Research and
EDGE Fund Policy Brd, and Brd of Investors Development Board
Experimental Program to Stimulate Oklahoma Center for the Advancement
Competitive Research Advisory of Science and Technology
Commitee (EPSCOR) Oklahoma Institute of Technology

Secretary of Transportation
Gary Ridley
200 NE 21 Street, Oklahoma City 73105–3204 • 405/522–1800,
FAX 405/522–1805
Longtime transportation executive Gary Ridley was appointed secretary
of transportation by Governor Brad Henry in May 2009 and reappointed
by Governor Mary Fallin on November 29, 2010. He also has held the
 Executive Branch  93

positions of Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) director since August 2001, and
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority director since October 2009. Ridley’s journey up through the
ranks provided him with first-hand insights into the whole spectrum of department opera-
tions. His ODOT service began in 1965, when he joined the department as an equipment
operator. He has served as maintenance superintendent in Kingfisher; traffic superintendent
in Perry as well as field maintenance engineer; Division Five Maintenance Engineer and
division engineer in Clinton. In 2001 he was named assistant director for operations, and
later ODOT director. A native of Chicago, Ridley is a registered professional engineer. He
and his wife, Eula, live in Yukon. They have two children, Daphne and Joe.
The secretary of transportation is responsible for the following executive entities:
Aeronautics Commission Transportation County Advisory Board
Highway Construction Materials Technician Transportation Tribal Advisory Board
Certification Board Trucking Advisory Board
All Port Authorities Turnpike Authority
Tourism Signage Advisory Task Force Oklahoma Space Industry Development
Transportation Commission Authority
Transportation Department Waterways Advisory Board

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Major General (retired) Rita Aragon
2311 N Central, Oklahoma City 73105 • 405/521–3684,
FAX 405/521–6533
Aragon was appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs by Governor Mary
Fallin on November 19, 2010. Aragon was born, raised, and graduated
high school in rural Dale, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor’s degree
in education, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling, and an
administrative certification from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Aragon’s post graduate work was in education administration at
Oklahoma State University. For twenty-three years she was employed
in the Oklahoma City public schools as an elementary teacher, guidance counselor, and
principal. Aragon enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard on September 9, 1979, as
an airman basic in the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron (EIS) in Oklahoma City. She
received her commission through the Academy of Military Science at Knoxville, Tennessee
on October 1981. She returned to the 219th EIS as an administrative officer. In 1989 Captain
Aragon became the first female commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard when she
assumed command of the 137th Services Flight at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base. She
became the first female to hold the rank of brigadier general in the Oklahoma Air National
Guard, and the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard in March 2003.
Aragon was promoted to the rank of major general in November 2005. She retired from
the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 2007. She served as director of the Advanced Military
Programs at the University of Oklahoma in Norman from 2008–2010.
The secretary of veterans affairs is responsible for the following executive entities:
Veterans Affairs Department
War Veterans Commission
94  Oklahoma Almanac
Legislative
Branch
96

The Legislative Service Bureau, Jan Eric Cartwright Memorial Library, and the staffs of the Senate President
Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House provided information in this chapter.
 97

The Oklahoma Legislature

Oklahoma’s bicameral legislature is composed of forty-eight members of the Senate
and 101 members of the House of Representatives. As of the election in November 2010,
there are thirty-two Republicans and sixteen Democrats in the Senate. The House has
seventy Republicans and thirty-one Democrats.
The legislature meets annually at noon on the first Monday in February. Its sessions
must be finished by 5:00 pm on the last Friday in May every year.
In odd-numbered years, the regular session will also include
one day in January—the first Tuesday following the first
Monday in January, with recess no later than 5:00 pm on the
same day. Normally, the legislature is in session Monday
through Thursday. However, during the last several weeks
of a session, either or both houses of the legislature may
decide to convene Fridays, depending upon work remain-
ing. Extraordinary sessions may be called by the governor or
the legislature.
Each house of the legislature organizes independently to function during the legislative
session. By law, the lieutenant governor is president of the Senate. Members of both
houses take office fifteen days after the General Election. Senators serve staggered
four-year terms. Senators in even-numbered districts were elected in 2010. Those in
odd-numbered districts were elected in 2008. Members of the House of Representa-
tives serve two-year terms, and are elected every even-numbered year.
Legislators are paid $38,400 annually and certain necessary expenses. The President
Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House are paid an additional $17,932 annually.
The majority floor leader, minority floor leader, appropriations chair in each house,
assistant speaker (House), and the assistant majority leader of the Senate are paid an
additional $12,364 per year. Salaries are set by the Board of Legislative Compensation.
Each house considers four types of legislation: bills that can become law if passed
by both houses and signed by the governor; joint resolutions that have the force and
effect of law when passed by both houses, but may not become part of the statutes;
concurrent resolutions that expresses the will of both houses; and simple resolutions
that express the will of the house of origin. Legislation that originates in the Senate
is numbered consecutively beginning with “1” and legislation that originates in the
House is numbered consecutively beginning with “1001.”
Any member of either house may introduce legislation. Once prepared by the leg-
islative staff, the legislation is introduced (first reading) by being read in the house
of origin. The following day the bill is assigned to a committee (second reading) for
study in the house of origin. After study by the assigned committee, the bill is printed
with any changes made by the committee and considered by the full membership
of the house of origin (third reading). The bill is then printed to include any changes
made by the house of origin and transmitted to the other house to repeat the same
process. When it is again returned to the house of origin, any amendments made by
the opposite house are considered, and if agreed to by the house of origin it is printed
in its final form and considered for final passage (fourth reading) and transmitted to
the governor for consideration. If the house of origin is unable to agree with changes
98  Oklahoma Almanac

made by the opposite house, a conference committee is appointed with members

from both houses to work out differences. The conference committee report goes
first to the house of origin and then to the opposite house.
Legislatures are identified by consecutive numbers. For example, the 2009 session
was the First Session, 52nd Legislature; and the 2010 session, the Second Session, 52nd
Legislature. The 2011 session is the First Session of the 53rd Legislature.
The legislature occupies the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the capitol. The Senate
is on the east side of the rotunda and the House of Representatives is on the west
side. Joint sessions are held in the House Chambers. Chambers for both houses are
on the fourth floor, with visitors’ galleries on the fifth.
Members of the legislature may be addressed at the State Capitol, Oklahoma City,
73105. Telephone number for the Senate is: 405/524–0126, website is www.oksenate.
gov; for the House of Representatives: 405/521–2711, website is www.okhouse.gov.
Paula George, Senate Staff

Legislative Leadership Offices

Contact Information
Senate President Pro Tempore
Senator Brian Bingman
State Capitol Building, Room 422
2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: 405/521–5565 
E-mail: bingman@oksenate.gov

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Representative Kris Steele
State Capitol Building, Room 401
2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: 405/557–7345
E-mail: kirssteele@okhouse.gov

Legislative Service Bureau

The Legislative Service Bureau is responsible for fiscal services and any area of produc-
tion of proposed legislation as directed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Legislative Service Bureau also serves
as a clearinghouse for the legislature for all budgetary forms, research reports and
information. The office is located in Room B–30, State Capitol. Telephone 405/521–4144.
 99

Oklahoma State Senate

Senate Leadership
President Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb Minority Leader Andrew Rice
President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman Asst. Min. Floor Leader Sean Burrage
Majority Floor Leader Mike Schulz Asst. Min. Floor Leader Roger Ballenger
Assistant Floor Leader Anthony Sykes Asst. Min. Floor Leader John Sparks
Assistant Floor Leader Clark Jolley Asst. Min. Floor Leader Charles Wyrick
Assistant Floor Leader John Ford Min. Whip Earl Garrison
Majority Whip Cliff Branan Min. Whip Judy E. McIntyre
Majority Whip Dan Newberry Min. Whip Susan Paddack
Majority Whip Gary Stanislawski Min. Caucus Chair Tom Ivester
Majority Whip Rob Johnson
Caucus Chair Bryce Marlatt

State Senators by District

This list of senators by district is given as a cross-reference. In the section following, senators’
names are arranged in alphabetical order.

Dist. Name Dist. Name Dist. Name

1 Charles Wyrick (D) 17 Charles Laster (D) 33 Tom Adelson (D)
2 Sean Burrage (D) 18 Kim David (R) 34 Rick Brinkley (R)
3 Jim Wilson (D) 19 Patrick Anderson (R) 35 Gary Stanislawski (R)
4 Mark Allen (R) 20 David Myers (R) 36 Bill Brown (R)
5 Jerry Ellis (D) 21 Jim Halligan (R) 37 Dan Newberry (R)
6 Josh Brecheen (R) 22 Rob Johnson (R) 38 Mike Schulz (R)
7 Richard Lerblance (D) 23 Ron Justice (R) 39 Brian Crain (R)
8 Roger Ballenger (D) 24 Anthony Sykes (R) 40 Cliff Branan (R)
9 Earl Garrison (D) 25 Mike Mazzei (R) 41 Clark Jolley (R)
10 Eddie Fields (R) 26 Tom Ivester (D) 42 Cliff Aldridge (R)
11 Judy Eason McIntyre (D) 27 Bryce Marlatt (R) 43 Jim Reynolds (R)
12 Brian Bingman (R) 28 Harry Coates (R) 44 Ralph Shortey (R)
13 Susan Paddack (D) 29 John Ford (R) 45 Steve Russell (R)
14 Frank Simpson (R) 30 David Holt (R) 46 Andrew Rice (D)
15 Jonathan Nichols (R) 31 Don Barrington (R) 47 Greg Treat (R)
16 John Sparks (D) 32 Randy Bass (D) 48 Constance Johnson (D)
 Senate District Maps
District maps in this edition of the Oklahoma Almanac depict the U.S. Congressional Districts and the state’s Legislative districts for the 2002 through
2010 elections. In addition to determining political divisions for the election of officials, these districts also guide executive and legislative branch
appointments to state and federal offices and institutions.
100  Oklahoma Almanac
Legislative Branch  101
102  Oklahoma Almanac

Senators Contact Reference List

The Senate switchboard number is 405/524–0126. (Agency Code 421; IA)

Senator Phone Room E-mail

Adelson, Tom (33) 405/521–5551 527A adelson@oksenate.gov
Aldridge, Cliff A. (42) 405/521–5584 511 aldridge@oksenate.gov
Allen, Mark (4) 405/521–5576 415 allen@oksenate.gov
Anderson, Patrick (19) 405/521–5630 417A anderson@oksenate.gov
Ballenger, Roger (8) 405/521–5588 527B ballenger@oksenate.gov
Barrington, Don (31) 405/521–5563 515A barrington@oksenate.gov
Bass, Randy (32) 405/521–5567 528B bass@oksenate.gov
Bingman, Brian (12) 405/521–5528 422 bingman@oksenate.gov
Branan, Cliff (40) 405/521–5543 417C branan@oksenate.gov
Brecheen, Josh (6) 405/521–5586 513A brecheen@oksenate.gov
Brinkley, Rick (34) 405/521–5566 512 brinkley@oksenate.gov
Brown, Bill (36) 405/521–5602 413A brownb@oksenate.gov
Burrage, Sean (2) 405/521–5555 529B burrage@oksenate.gov
Coates, Harry (28) 405/521–5547 531 coates@oksenate.gov
Crain, Brian A. (39) 405/521–5620 417B crain@oksenate.gov
David, Kim (18) 405/521–5590 520 david@oksenate.gov
Eason McIntyre, Judy (11) 405/521–5598 429 easonmcintyre@oksenate.gov
Ellis, Jerry (5) 405/521–5614 535 ellis@oksenate.gov
Fields, Eddie (10) 405/521–5581 514B efields@oksenate.gov
Ford, John W. (29) 405/521–5634 424A fordj@oksenate.gov
Garrison, Earl (9) 405/521–5533 528A whitep@oksenate.gov
Halligan, Jim (21) 405/521–5572 416 halligan@oksenate.gov
Holt, David (30) 405/521–5636 411A holt@oksenate.gov
Ivester, Tom (26) 405/521–5545 529A ivester@oksenate.gov
Johnson, Constance N. (48) 405/521–5531 534B johnsonc@oksenate.gov
Johnson, Rob (22) 405/521–5592 413 johnsonr@oksenate.gov
Jolley, Clark (41) 405/521–5622 425 jolley@oksenate.gov
Justice, Ron (23) 405/521–5537 423 justice@oksenate.gov
Laster, Charlie (17) 405/521–5539 533B laster@oksenate.gov
Lerblance, Richard (7) 405/521–5604 535A lerblance@oksenate.gov
Marlatt, Bryce (27) 405/521–5626 427 marlatt@oksenate.gov
Mazzei, Mike (25) 405/521–5675 424 mazzei@oksenate.gov
Myers, David F. (20) 405/521–5628 519 ingraham@oksenate.gov
Newberry, Dan (37) 405/521–5600 414 newberry@oksenate.gov
Nichols, Jonathan (15) 405/521–5535 428 nichols@oksenate.gov
Paddack, Susan (13) 405/521–5541 533A paddack@oksenate.gov
Reynolds, Jim (43) 405/521–5522 412 reynolds@oksenate.gov
Rice, Andrew (46) 405/521–5610 522 rice@oksenate.gov
Russell, Steve (45) 405/521–5618 428B russell@oksenate.gov
Schulz, Mike (38) 405/521–5612 418 schulz@oksenate.gov
Shortey, Ralph (44) 405/521–5557 514A shortey@oksenate.gov
Simpson, Frank (14) 405/521–5607 513B simpson@oksenate.gov
Sparks, John (16) 405/521–5553 533 sparks@oksenate.gov
Stanislawski, Gary (35) 405/521–5624 427A stanislawski@oksenate.gov
Sykes, Anthony (24) 405/521–5569 426 lewis@oksenate.gov
Treat, Greg (47) 405/521–5632 530 treat@oksenate.gov
Wilson, Jim (3) 405/521–5574 533C wilson@oksenate.gov
Wyrick, Charles (1) 405/521–5561 521 wyrick@oksenate.gov
 103

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Brian Bingman
■ Occupation—Oil & Gas ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma, BBA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—12 ■ Legislative
Experience—Oklahoma House of Representatives, 2004–2006;
Senate Member, 2007–present; Assistant Floor Leader, 2009;
Senate Pro Tempore, 2010–present ■ Committee Membership—
As President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Bingham serves as an
“Ex-Officio Voting Member” of all Senate Committees.
Bingman was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s
degree in petroleum land management from the University of Oklahoma. He is currently
employed by Uplands Resources, Inc. in Tulsa as vice-president of land operations. Bingman
served as mayor of Sapulpa from 1994 to 2004, and served in the Oklahoma House of
Representatives, District 30, from 2004 to 2006. He was elected to the Oklahoma Senate
in November 2006 from Senate District 12, which represents Creek and Okfuskee County.
On January 4, 2010, Bingman was elected as President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma
Senate. Before becoming Pro Tem of the Senate, he served as an assistant majority floor
leader, chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee and vice chairman of the
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. He and his wife, Paula, have three
children—Annie, Blake, and Rebecca. He is an active member of the First Presbyterian
Church of Sapulpa. Bingman continues active participation as past chairman of The Energy
Council, Tulsa Association of Petroleum Landmen, and the Oklahoma Independent
Producers Association. He is also a member of the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce. His
hobbies include playing golf, working on and around his house, and most of all spending
time with his family and his three grandchildren—Blake, Merrit, and Ellie.
To contact Bingman: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 422, or 405/521–5528, Oklahoma
City, OK 73105 or bingman@oksenate.gov.

Membership

Tom Adelson
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Stanford University,
BA; Southern Methodist University, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—33 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–
present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2009 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Health &
Human Services; Energy; General Government; Finance; and
Veterans & Military Affairs.
A native Tulsan, Adelson attended Barnard Elementary and Edison
junior and senior high schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and
a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University. He has been engaged in the
practice of law since 1992 with experience in commercial litigation, banking, and oil and
gas. Prior to forming his own law practice in 1998, Adelson operated a fourth generation
family oil and gas business, where he held primary responsibility for the New Mexico and
104  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
west Texas regions, and he remains a partner in the firm. Serving as Governor Brad Henry’s
first Secretary of Health, Adelson helped pass Oklahoma’s first clean air legislation, and he
worked to protect public health funding for 75,000 Oklahoma children. He also stepped in
when schools in his district were losing their nurses to help establish school-based com-
prehensive medical clinics at Eugene Field and Mark Twain elementary schools. Adelson
won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 33 in 2004.
To contact Adelson: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 527A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or
405/521–5551, or adelson@oksenate.gov.

Cliff A. Aldridge
■ Occupation—Insurance & Real Estate Agent ■ Education—
Henryetta High School; Oklahoma Christian College ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—42 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate
Member, 2003–present ■ Committee Membership—Education;
Finance; General Government, Chair; Retirement & Insurance, Vice-
Chair; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Aldridge was born on July 1, 1962, in Wagoner, Oklahoma. A mission-
ary’s son, Aldridge grew up in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Hampshire.
Following his graduation from Henryetta High School in 1980, Aldridge attended Oklahoma
Christian College in Oklahoma City. In 1984 Aldridge married DeAnn Swarb. The couple
established a home in Midwest City, where Aldridge began his career as a Farmers Insurance
agent. They have three daughters—Cara, Courtney, and Chloe. In 2002 Aldridge won elec-
tion to the Oklahoma State Senate from District 42. He continues active participation in the
Choctaw and Midwest City chambers of commerce, Choctaw Kiwanis, Del City Church of
Christ, Midwest City Rotary, Mid-Del 100 Club, and Mid-Del Group Homes Board. Aldridge’s
hobbies include golf and spending time with his family.
To contact Aldridge: PO Box 10946 Midwest City, OK 73140, or 405/521–5584, or
aldridge@oksenate.gov.

Mark Allen
■ Occupation—Legislature ■ Party—Republican ■ District—4
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health & Human Services; Energy; Redistricting;
Transportation, Vice Chair; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Allen won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 4 on November
2, 2010.
To contact Allen: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 415, Oklahoma
City, OK 73105, or 405/521–5576, or allen@oksenate.gov.
 Legislative Branch  105

State Senate
Patrick Anderson
■ Occupation—Attorney/Banker/Farmer ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BS; University of Oklahoma, JD ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—19 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate
Member, 2005–present ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture &
Rural Development; Retirement & Insurance; Rules; and Tourism &
Wildlife.
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University
and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma. Anderson
won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 19 in 2004.
To contact Anderson: 2016 Comanche Trail, Enid, OK 73703, or 405/521–5630, or
anderson@oksenate.gov.

Roger Ballenger
■ Occupation—Contractor/Rancher ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University–Okmulgee ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—8 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2007–present; Minority Whip, 2009;
Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture & Rural Development; Appropriations Committee on
Public Safety & Judiciary; Finance; General Government, Vice Chair;
and Public Safety.
Ballenger was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on September 25, 1950,
to Leonard and Norma Ballenger. He attended Oklahoma State University/Okmulgee Tech.
He served in the United States Navy from 1969 through 1973. Ballenger served as a county
commissioner for sixteen years, and as an Okmulgee City Councilman for eight years. He
is a member of the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce. He won election to the Oklahoma
Senate from District 8 in November 2006. Ballenger has two grown children—Kimberly
Fetgatter and Clay Ballenger. He has four grandchildren—Carrie, Cody, Meagan, and Wyatt.
He is married to Cimone, and has one step daughter, Lindsay Marrow.
To contact Ballenger: 19605 Wilson Road, Okmulgee, OK 74447, or 405/521–5588, or
ballenger@oksenate.gov.

Don Barrington
■ Occupation—Fire Chief/Retired ■ Education—AS ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—31 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate
Member, 2005–present ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture &
Rural Development; Public Safety, Chair; Redistricting; Tourism &
Wildlife; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Barrington was born on September 7, 1947, in Pryor, Oklahoma. He
graduated from Rexford High School in Rexford, Kansas, in 1965.
He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969. He spent an
eighteen-month tour in Vietnam, where he received an Army Commendation Medal.
Barrington began his professional career as a rookie with the Lawton Fire Department in
1969. During his thirty-two year tenure, he spent twenty-six years on shift at the fire station.
He advanced through testing to the levels of driver, lieutenant, and captain, and was then
106  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
promoted to deputy chief. He received an associate’s degree in engineering technology from
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City in 1993. He was appointed as Lawton Fire Chief
in 1996, and served in that position until his retirement in 2002. Barrington won election
to the Oklahoma Senate from District 31 in 2004. He married the former Jennifer Morgan.
They have two children—Alicia and Jaron. Barrington continues active participation in the
Lawton Salvation Army Advisory Board, Gideon’s International Lawton Chapter, Oklahoma
Firefighters Association, Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, and the Oklahoma Retired
Firefighters Association. He also serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee for Law
Enforcement and Public Safety through the Great Plains Technology Center.
To contact Barrington: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 515, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5563, or barrington@oksenate.gov.

Randy Bass
■ Occupation—Cattle Rancher & Wheat Farmer ■ Education—
Lawton High School; Cameron University ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—32 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–pres-
ent ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development;
General Government & Transportation; Retirement & Insurance;
Tourism & Wildlife; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Bass was born on March 13, 1954, in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1972 the
Minnesota Twins drafted Bass, and he spent several years playing major
league baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, and the Texas
Rangers. From 1983 to 1988 he played first base and power hitter for the Hanshin Tigers, a
Japanese baseball team. Considered a baseball legend in Japan, Bass set the all-time season
batting average of .389 in 1986. He is the only player to win back-to-back Triple Crowns, and
hit 200 home runs faster than anyone in baseball history. Governor George Nigh appointed
Bass ambassador to Japan in 1986. Bass has two children from a former marriage—Zach and
Staci. He and his wife, Kelley, have one daughter, Remi. He has four grandchildren. Bass
recently served as councilman for the City of Lawton from 2001 to 2004. He won election to
the Oklahoma Senate from District 32 in November 2004. He continues active participation
in the Lawton Ambucs, Major League Baseball Association, and the Oklahoma Municipal
League. His hobbies include golf and spending time with his family.
To contact Bass: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 528A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5567, or bass@oksenate.gov.

Cliff Branan
■ Occupation—Commercial Real Estate Broker ■ Education—
University of Oklahoma, BBA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—40
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2003–present; Whip,
2007, 2009; ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Education;
Energy, Chair; General Government & Transportation, Vice Chair;
Rules; Transportation; .
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Branan graduated from Heritage
Hall High School and the University of Oklahoma, where he received
a degree in finance. Following his college graduation, Branan began a career in commercial
real estate with Coldwell Banker Commercial, now CB Richard Ellis. In 1995 he founded
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Branan Property Company that specializes in the sale and leasing of office properties. In
2002 Branan won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 40. He has been married
to the former Connell Sullivan for the past ten years. They have two children—Ford and
Langley. His hobbies include spending time with his family and traveling.
To contact Branan: 7303 Lancet Lane, Oklahoma City, OK 73120, or 405/843–5064, or
branan@oksenate.gov.

Josh Brecheen
■ Occupation—Motivational Speaker ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—6 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2011; ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Education; Judiciary;
Retirement & Insurance; and Rules.
Brecheen was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in November 2010.
He represents District 6, consisting of Atoka, Coal, Bryan, Johnston,
and Marshall counties. Brecheen earned a dual degree in agricultural
communications and animal science from Oklahoma State University. Prior to his election
to the Oklahoma Legislature, he served almost six years as a field representative for United
States Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. As a field representative, Brecheen was one of Senator
Coburn’s “boots on the ground,” working directly with constituents on issues, and evaluating
government programs for waste, fraud, and abuse. Brecheen owns a motivational speak-
ing business, Brecheen Keynotes and Seminars. Since the inception of the business, he
has provided inspirational presentations to over 600,000 people in more than 600 school
systems, conferences, and universities in many states. A committed Christian, Brecheen
is married to Kacie Ann Brecheen and has two small step children—Micah and Makayla.
Additionally, the couple’s third child, Colt Justice was born on October 20, 2010. The family
resides in Coal County.
To contact Brecheen: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 513A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5586, or brecheen@oksenate.gov.

Rick Brinkley
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Education—Langston University;
Oral Roberts University; and Oklahoma State University ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—34 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate
Member, 2011; ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations;
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Business & Commerce;
Finance, Vice Chair; and Health & Human Services.
Brinkley was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in November 2010
and brings a broad range of business and consumer experience to
the legislature. He has served as the President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving
Eastern Oklahoma since 1999 and in 2008 was honored with the BBB’s National Meritorious
Service Award in recognition of his “Call to Excellence.” In addition, he served as a member
of the board of directors of the National Council of Better Business Bureaus for six years as
well as on its executive and strategic planning committees. Brinkley’s priorities in the sen-
ate are to allow the economy to grow itself through making Oklahoma “job friendly” and to
protect the core conservative values of District 34. He believes there are very few problems
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facing our state which cannot be solved through successful job growth. Professionally, for
over ten years, Brinkley served as pastor of The Community Church in Collinsville. Brinkley
also worked as a television producer, investigative producer, writer, and on-air personality.
His work in television culminated with a National Emmy Award Nomination. In addition,
he serves as a leader in communications and personal impact for corporations, non-profits,
and educators. Brinkley was the first person on either side of his family to attend college and
is a graduate of both Langston University and Oral Roberts University’s School of Theology
and Missions, and has completed some doctoral work at Oklahoma State University’s
College of Education. He is an active member of First Christian Church in Owasso and
serves on the associate board of Oasis Adult Day Care Facility, and the board of directors of
The Petroleum Club of Tulsa. He is the former president of the Kiwanis Club. Brinkley is a
supportive “Peepaw” for his grandson’s soccer team, ’98 Sheffield Eagles FC. However, his
greatest achievements are his son, John, and his grandson, Cristian.
To contact Brinkley: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 512, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5566, or brinkley@oksenate.gov.

Bill Brown
■ Occupation—Insurance ■ Education—Northeastern State
University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—36 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2007–present ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on General
Government & Transportation; General Government; Tourism &
Wildlife; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Brown was born and raised in Henryetta, Oklahoma. He attended
Northeastern State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree
in education. He taught school for four years, before going into the insurance business.
Brown served as president of the Broken Arrow Rotary Club, and was president of Gatesway
Foundation, an organization that helps the mentally and physically disabled. He is married
to Linda Brown, a longtime teacher at Park Lane Elementary School. They have four children
and eleven grandchildren.
To contact Brown: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 413A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5602, or brownb@oksenate.gov.

Sean Burrage
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—University of Oklahoma,
BBA, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—2 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2007–present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader,
2009–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations;
Appropriation Subcommittee on General Government &
Transportation; Energy; Health & Human Resources, Vice Chair; and
Transportation.
Burrage was born in 1968 in Durant, Oklahoma, and graduated from
Antlers High School in 1986. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a
bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990, and a Juris Doctor degree in 1993. Burrage served
as legislative director to United States Senator David Boren in Washington, DC, and later
as special assistant and director of state and federal relations to President David Boren at
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the University of Oklahoma. He has served as a board member of the University Hospitals
Authority and Trust at the OU Medical Center. He also has played an active role in the com-
munities of Rogers and Mayes counties by serving on the board of directors for Tri-County
CASA and as president of Share the Spirit, a local charity that has helped many families. He
was named by Tri-County CASA as Attorney of the Year in 2001 in recognition for his pro bono
representation of minor children in the juvenile court system. Burrage has been designated
assistant democratic leader for the 52nd Legislative Session. He is a member of the Joint
Committee on Indian Tribal-State Relations. He and his wife Carole have two sons—Truman
and Carter. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching Truman in soccer, basketball, and baseball.
To contact Burrage: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 529B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5555, or burrage@oksenate.gov.

Harry E. Coates
■ Occupation—Construction Consultant ■ Education—Oklahoma
City Southwestern College; University of Central Oklahoma; and
Southwest Technical Institute ■ Party—Republican ■ District—28
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2003–present ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on
General Government & Transportation; Business & Commerce;
General Government; Tourism & Wildlife, Chair; and Veterans &
Military Affairs.
Coates was born on July 11, 1950, in Seminole, Oklahoma. He graduated from Strother High
School and attended college at Oklahoma City Southwestern, the University of Central
Oklahoma, and Southwest Technical Institute. He is the owner of Harry E. Coates Company
Inc., a construction consulting firm. He won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 28
in 2002. He continues active participation in the Construction Specifiers Institute, National
Roofing Contractors Association, Professional Construction Estimators Association, and
the Roof Consultants Institute. Coates married the former Betty Cole. They have four chil-
dren—Jeremy, Heather, Eddie, and Brandon.
To contact Coates: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 531, Oklahoma City OK 73105, or
405/521–5547, or coates@oksenate.gov.

Brian A. Crain
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—BBA ■ Party—Republican ■
District—39 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–pres-
ent ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Natural Resources; Health & Human Services;
Judiciary; and Retirement & Insurance.
Crain was born at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and moved to
Oklahoma City, at the age of three. He graduated from Putnam City
West Senior High School in 1979, and received a bachelor’s degree in
management from the University of Oklahoma in 1983. Crain worked for a national distribu-
tor for electrical and electronic wiring for twelve years, living throughout the southern and
mid-Atlantic states before moving to Tulsa in 1987. Crain remained in Tulsa, and graduated
from the University of Tulsa Law School in 1991. He became an assistant district attorney in
1996, and in 1999, he left to pursue a law practice focusing primarily on title and real prop-
110  Oklahoma Almanac

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erty law. He now belongs to Lindsey, Crain, and Associates, P.A. Crain and his wife, Lori,
have two daughters—Sarah and Catherine. He continues active participation in Leadership
Tulsa, Masonic Lodge, Tulsa County Bar Association, Tulsa Lawyers Helping Children, Tulsa
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Tulsa Title and Probate Lawyers. Crain first won elec-
tion to the Oklahoma Senate from District 39 in 2004.
To contact Crain: 100 W Fifth Street, Suite 500, Tulsa, OK 74103, or 405/521–5620, or
crain@oksenate.gov.

Kim David
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Party—Republican ■ District—18
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human
Services; Business & Commerce; Education; Finance; Redistricting,
Vice Chair; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
David won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 18 on
November 2, 2010.
To contact David,: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 520, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/521–5590, or david@oksenate.gov.

Judy Eason McIntyre

■ Occupation—DHS/Retired ■ Education—University of Oklahoma,
BS, MS ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—11 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2003–2004; Senate Member, 2005–present;
Minority Caucus Vice Chair, 2009; Minority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Education;
Business & Commerce; Education; Judiciary; Redistricting; and
Rules.
A native Oklahoman, Eason McIntyre grew up in the Tulsa area and
graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She received a bachelor’s degree and a
master’s degree both in social work from the University of Oklahoma. Eason McIntyre worked
for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for thirty-one years. She also served on
the Tulsa School Board for sixteen years. Eason McIntyre served in the Oklahoma House
of Representatives from 2003 to 2004. As a House member, she became the first freshman
appointed to the Speaker’s Leadership Team. In 2002 she was one of sixteen black women
from twelve states selected as a NOBEL/Women CAWP Leadership Institute Fellow. Eason
McIntyre won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 11 in 2004. She continues active
participation in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Communications Workers of America,
Greenwood Redevelopment Authority, NAACP, and the Vernon AME Church. She serves as
president of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame Board. Moreover, she serves on the Oklahoma
Humanities Council Board; Tulsa Urban League Advisory Board; and is a member of the
Soulful Survivors, Inc., a breast cancer support group.
To contact Eason McIntyre: PO Box 48548, Tulsa, OK 74148, or 405/521–5598,
easonmcintyre@oksenate.gov.
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Jerry Ellis
■ Occupation—Co-founder Southeast Times ■ Education—
Oklahoma State University, BS ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—5 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003–2008;
Senate Member, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture
& Rural Development; Appropriation Subcommittee on Natural
Resources; Business & Commerce; Rules; and Tourism & Wildlife,
Vice Chair.
Ellis was born on December 11, 1946, in Hugo, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University in 1969. Ellis served
in the armed forces from 1969 to 1972. He has been employed as a laborer for Weyerhaeuser
and as a cattle rancher. He is co-founder and publisher of the Southeast Times newspaper.
Ellis won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 5 in 2008. In 2002 he received the
Friend of Working Men and Women Award from the McCurtain County Democratic Party.
In 2007 he received the Oklahoma Rifleman Association Legislator of the Year Award. In
2008 he received the Oklahoma American Legion Legislator of the Year Award as well as the
American Association of Retired Persons 50 Over 50 Award. He married the former Cynthia
Cox. They have a son, Tom.
To contact Ellis: PO Box 317, Valliant, OK 74764, or 580/933–4930, or ellis@oksenate.gov.

Eddie Fields
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Party—Republican ■ District—10
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2011; ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Natural Resources; Energy; Redistricting, Chair;
Rules; and Tourism & Wildlife.
Fields won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 10 in
November 2010.
To contact Fields: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 514B, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/521–5581, or efields@oksenate.gov.

John W. Ford
■ Occupation—ConocoPhillips/Retired ■ Education—University
of Tulsa, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—29 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2005–present; Caucus Chair, 2009;
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Vice
Chair; Business & Commerce; Education, Chair; Finance; and Rules.
Ford was elected to the Oklahoma Senate from District 29 in November
2004 and re-elected without opposition in 2008. His district consists
of Craig, Nowata, and Washington counties. Prior to his election to the senate, Ford had a
thirty-four year career with Phillips Petroleum Company. His tenure with Phillips gave him
the opportunity to develop the skills of an effective public servant such as business planning,
prudent budgeting, valuable communication and thoughtful decision-making practices.
His priority issues are education, tort reform, worker’s compensation, and Highway 60 from
112  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
Ponca City to Vinita. Ford’s wife, Mary, is a former public school teacher. They have two
married children—Jennifer and Jack, and four grandchildren. The Fords attend the Good
Shepherd Presbyterian Church.
To contact Ford: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 424A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5634, or fordj@oksenate.gov.

Earl Garrison
■ Occupation—Educator/Rancher ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma, EdD ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—9 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2005–present; Minority Whip, 2011
■ Committee Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on
Education; Education; Public Safety; Rules; Tourism & Wildlife; and
Veterans & Military Affairs.
Garrison was born on May 24, 1941, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He holds
a doctorate degree in education from the University of Oklahoma. He
has been employed as a teacher and coach in the Mid-Del School System, a professor and
coach at Rose State College, regional accreditation officer with the State Department of
Education, and as superintendent of the Fort Gibson School System and the Indian Capital
Career Tech. Garrison won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 9 in 2004. He is a
32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He attends the First Baptist Church in Muskogee.
To contact Garrison: 3806 Club View Drive, Muskogee, OK 74403, or 918/781–0612, or
whitep@oksenate.gov.

Jim Halligan
■ Occupation—University Educator ■ Education—Iowa State
University, BS, MS, PhD ■ Party—Republican ■ District—21 ■
Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2009 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on
Education, Chair; Business & Commerce; Education; and Finance.
Halligan received undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a
doctorate degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University.
His teaching, research, and administrative positions have taken him
to Arkansas, Texas Tech, and New Mexico State University, where he served as president
for ten years before coming to Oklahoma State University (OSU). Halligan joined OSU as
its sixteenth president on August 1, 1994. As chief executive officer of the Oklahoma State
University system and president of OSU, he was responsible for OSU campuses in Oklahoma
City, Okmulgee, Stillwater, and Tulsa as well as the school’s health sciences center and
medical school. At OSU Halligan emphasized student success, increasing retention and
graduation rates, encouraging the development of national scholars, and investing more
than $200 million in facilities. Those financial investments include a Center for Services to
Students, a student leadership complex, multi-media classrooms and suite-style student
housing. He also stressed the university’s role in research and economic development. Among
$380 million in new facilities brought online during the Halligan years, are the Advanced
Technology Research Center, designed to host joint industry-university research, and the
Food & Agricultural Products Research & Technology Center, which offers pilot plant space
 Legislative Branch  113

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to Oklahoma entrepreneurs. Halligan won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District
21 in November 2008.
To contact Halligan: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 416, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5572, or halligan@oksenate.gov.

David Holt
■ Occupation—Public Service ■ Education—The George
Washington University, BA; Oklahoma City University, JD ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—30 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate
Member, 2011; Majority Caucus Vice Chair, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Health &
Human Services; Business & Commerce, Vice Chair; Education;
Redistricting, Vice Chair; Rules; and Transportation.
Holt was elected on July 27, 2010, with 64 percent of the vote in the
Republican primary and was unopposed in the November 2010 general election. Holt’s path
of public service led him first to the United States Capitol, where he served House Speaker
Dennis Hastert during 9/11. He then spent two years in the White House of President George
W. Bush before returning home as Oklahoma’s coordinator to re-elect the president in 2004.
Holt then served U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin before becoming chief
of staff to Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett in 2006, where he served until his election
to the Oklahoma State Senate. Holt has served on dozens of community boards, including
the Putnam City Schools Foundation and the Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber. Holt
is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class XXVI. He was named “40 Under 40” by
OKC Business News in 2006 and an “Achiever Under 40” by The Journal Record in 2010. He
is a member of the Osage Nation. Holt and his wife, Rachel, married in 2003 and have one
son—George. They are members of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church.
To contact Holt: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 411A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5636, or holt@oksenate.gov.

Tom Ivester
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Texas Christian University,
University of Oklahoma ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—26 ■
Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2007–present; Assistant
Minority Floor Leader, 2009; Minority Caucus Chair, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development;
Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety &
Judiciary; Energy; Finance; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Ivester won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 26 in
November 2006.
To contact Ivester: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 529A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5545, or ivester@oksenate.gov.
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Constance N. Johnson
■ Occupation—Counselor ■ Education—University of Pennsylvania,
BA; Langston University, MA ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—48 ■
Legislative Experience—Senate Staff, 1981–2005; Senate Member,
2005–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health & Human Services; Health & Human
Services; Public Safety; Transportation; and Veterans & Military
Affairs.
Johnson was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, and was educated in
Oklahoma City Public Schools. She received a bachelor’s degree in French from the
University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in May 2010 with a master’s degree in rehabilita-
tion counseling from Langston University. Johnson began her career as a public information
and training officer for the Oklahoma Community Action Director’s Association, and as
public service employment coordinator for the Comprehensive Employment and Training
Act (CETA). She worked for twenty-four years in a nonpartisan setting for Democrats and
Republicans, as a legislative analyst for the Oklahoma Senate. She served as a member of the
National Conference of State Legislatures Executive Committee and Legislative Staff Steering
Committee, where she chaired the Task Force on Diversity and produced the Tips Booklet, a
guide for legislators to assist them in achieving diversity among legislative staff. In 1995 she
was selected to train the parliamentary staffs of six African countries in legislative staffing
in the democratic system of government. She won election to the Oklahoma Senate from
District 48 in 2005, and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. Johnson was named one of the top
five senators in 2010, and has received numerous awards and recognitions for her efforts in
the area of social justice. She presently serves as recording secretary for the National Black
Caucus of State Legislators. Johnson has three children, and a granddaughter. Her hobbies
include biking, reading, traveling, and yoga.
To contact Johnson: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 534B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5531, or johnsonc@oksenate.gov.

Rob Johnson
■ Occupation—President/CEO Johnson’s of Kingfisher ■
Education—Oklahoma State University, BS; University of Oklahoma,
JD ■ Party—Republican ■ District—22 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2010–present; Majority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources;
Energy; Health & Human Services; Judiciary, Vice Chair; and Rules,
Chair.
Johnson, a Kingfisher native, was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in
July of 2010. Johnson was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2004.
Johnson was considered one of the most pro-business legislators at the capitol, scoring a
cumulative 94 on the REID index, Oklahoma’s premier indicator of pro-business voting pat-
terns among legislators. In 2007 Johnson was awarded the prestigious Legislator of the Year
award from the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. He also served as one of two
House members on the Energy Council’s Executive Committee, a legislative organization
made up of eleven energy producing states, and was selected to represent Oklahoma and the
United States as a member of their delegation to China in 2007 to discuss global energy needs.
 Legislative Branch  115

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Johnson has two daughters—Kensington and McKellyn. They reside in Kingfisher, where
five generations of the Johnson family have made their home. Johnson holds a bachelor’s
degree in political science from Oklahoma State University, and a juris doctorate from the
University of Oklahoma College of Law. He is a member of both alumni associations. Prior
to being elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, Johnson served as a legislative assistant to
Congressman Wes Watkins and as legislative director to Congressman Tom Cole. Johnson
currently has a law practice in Kingfisher.
To contact Johnson: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 413, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5592, or johnsonr@oksenate.gov.

Clark Jolley
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Oklahoma Baptist University,
BA, BME; University of Oklahoma, JD ■ Party—Republican ■
District—41 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–pres-
ent; Whip, 2007–2008; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2009–pres-
ent ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations, Vice Chair;
Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services, Chair;
Education; Energy; Finance; Redistricting, Co-Chair; and Rules.
Jolley was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He received bachelor
degrees in political science and music education from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1992,
and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1995. Jolley began a private law
practice in 1995, and served as administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Department of
Labor from 1996 to 1998. In June 1997 Jolley married Verlyne Simmons, an attorney. Together
they expanded his law practice into a partnership, Jolley and Jolley. The couple have two
children—Lauren and Alex. Jolley won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 41 in
2004. He continues active participation in the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, Fine Arts
Institute of Edmond, Oklahoma State Chamber, and the Rotary Club of Edmond. He also
teaches a Bible study class and serves as a worship assistant at Henderson Hills Baptist
Church in Edmond.
To contact Jolley: State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 425, Oklahoma City, OK
73105, or 405/521–5622, or jolley@oksenate.gov.

Ron Justice
■ Occupation—OSU County Extension Agent/Retired ■ Education—
Oklahoma State University, BS, MS ■ Party—Republican ■
District—23 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–
present; Rural Caucus Chair, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture & Rural Development, Chair; Appropriations;
Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory
Services, Vice Chair; Tourism & Wildlife; and Transportation.
Elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 2004 from District 23, Justice has
quickly proven himself a leader in his own caucus and a champion for rural Oklahoma. Justice
received both his bachelor’s and his master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He
is a member of the Chickasha Lions Club, Grady County Cattle Producers, Mineral Owners
Association and the Alfalfa Hay Association. He has gained even more knowledge and experi-
ence from his time with the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce, the other civic organizations
116  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
in District 23, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. Justice is a retired Oklahoma State University County
Extension Agent. He and his wife, Darlene, live in Chickasha and have three children—Greg,
Yvonne ,and Yvette. They are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren, and are mem-
bers of the Sharon Baptist Church in Chickasha.
To contact Justice: 2209 County Street, Chickasha, OK 73018, or 405/521–5537, or
justice@oksenate.gov.

Charlie Laster
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS; University of Oklahoma, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—17
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2003–present;
Co-Floor Leader, 2007; Minority Leader, 2009–2010 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety &
Judiciary; Business & Commerce; Education; and Judiciary.
Laster was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on April 18, 1954. Following his
1972 graduation from Shawnee High School, he enrolled at Oklahoma
State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in pre-law. In 1979 he earned his Juris
Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma. Specializing in commercial litigation and
family law, Laster began a private law practice in Shawnee. Today, he continues to operate his
successful law practice. Laster won a seat in the Oklahoma Senate during a special election,
February 11, 2003. He succeeded Brad Henry, who had assumed the governorship, as sena-
tor from District 17. Laster is active in the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma and
Pottawatomie County bar associations, and Oklahoma State University Alumni Association.
He married the former Kathleen Malchar, who holds a PhD in psychology and is a practicing
psychologist. They have two children—Kara and Luke.
To contact Laster: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 533B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105,
405/521–5539, or laster@oksenate.gov.

Richard C. Lerblance
■ Occupation—Attorney/Cattle Rancher/Oil & Gas ■ Education—
Eastern Oklahoma State College, AA; University of Central
Oklahoma, BA; Oklahoma City University, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—7 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003; Senate
Member, 2003–present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2009 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Public
Safety & Judiciary; Education; Energy; and Judiciary.
Born on March 9, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lerblance grew
up in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. He earned an associate’s degree from Eastern Oklahoma State
College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma, and
a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University. He began a law practice in Hartshorne
that he continues to maintain today. He served twelve years on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Supreme Court and three years as the court’s chief justice. A dedicated public servant,
Lerblance served on the Hartshorne City Council, Hartshorne Board of Education, and is
the retired fire chief of the Hartshorne Fire Department. While a member of the Oklahoma
House of Representatives, Lerblance won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District
7 in June 2003, filling the office vacated by long-time Senator Gene Stipe. He continues
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active participation in the Latimer County Cattlemen Association, Little Dixie Limousin
Association, Maine Anjou Association, North American Limousin Foundation, and the
Oklahoma Cattlemen Association. His hobbies include boating and hunting. Lerblance
married the former Frances Thompson. They have three sons—David and his wife Ashley,
John, and Richard and his wife Pauline, and two grandchildren.
To contact Lerblance: PO Box 1011, Hartshorne, OK 74547, or 918/297–2501, or
lerblance@oksenate.gov.

Bryce Marlatt
■ Occupation—Oil & Gas/Real Estate ■ Education—Northwestern
Oklahoma State University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—27 ■
Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2009; Caucus Chair;
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations
Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation; Energy,
Vice Chair; General Government; Redistricting, Co-Chair; and
Transportation.
Marlatt was born March 29, 1977. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma
State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and business. He
was elected to the Oklahoma Senate from District 27 in November 2008. Marlatt’s profes-
sional affiliations include the National Rifle Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and the
Woodward Rifle & Pistol Club. He is and his wife, Tatum, have three children together—Kade,
Kole, and Kloey. He enjoys hunting and fishing as well as family time. He attends Living
Word Fellowship Church.
To contact Marlatt: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 427, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5626, or marlatt@oksenate.gov.

Mike Mazzei
■ Occupation—Financial Planner ■ Education—George Mason
University, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—25 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2005–present; Co-Assistant Floor
Leader, 2007; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2009 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Education;
Education; Finance, Chair; Retirement & Insurance; and Rules.
Mazzei attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, gradu-
ating with a bachelor’s degree in government and politics. He also is
a graduate of the College of Financial Planning, and is a certified financial planner prac-
titioner. Mazzei is the branch manager of a Raymond James Financial Services Office in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mazzei won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 25 in 2004. He
continues active participation in the Asbury United Methodist Church, Financial Planners
Association, and the Salvation Army. Mazzei, and his wife Noel, have five children—Maria,
triplets Caleb, Carissa, and Mykela, and Jackson.
To contact Mazzei: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 424, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5675, or mazzei@oksenate.gov.
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State Senate
David F. Myers
■ Occupation—Chemical Engineer, Retired/Independent
Oil Consultant ■ Education—Oklahoma State University, BS;
Louisiana State University, Graduate Study; University of Virginia,
MBA Training ■ Party—Republican ■ District—20 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2003–present ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development; Appropriations,
Chair; Energy; and Tourism & Wildlife.
Myers was born on July 18, 1938, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He received a
bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University. He also completed
graduate courses at Louisiana State University and the University of Virginia. Myers worked
in the oil industry for thirty-three years, retiring as a chemical engineer from ConocoPhillips
in Ponca City. He is currently an independent consultant for the oil industry. Myers won
election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 20 in 2002. He continues active participation
in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Petroleum Institute, National
Petroleum Refiners Association, and Rotary. He has served as chairman of the Ponca City
Energy Board and as president of Building Ponca. Myers married the former Sara Margaret
Spradling. They have two children—Sheryl and Craig.
To contact Myers: 2101 N 14 Street, Suite 132, Ponca City, OK 74601, or 580/762–5294, or
ingraham@oksenate.gov.

Dan Newberry
■ Occupation—Mortgage Banker ■ Party—Republican ■ District—37
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2009; Majority Whip,
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health & Human Services; Business & Commerce,
Chair; Health & Human Services; Redistricting, Vice Chair; Rules;
and Transportation.
Newberry won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 37 in
November 2008.
To contact Newberry: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 414, Oklahoma City, OK 74105, or
405/521–5600, or newberry@oksenate.gov.

Jonathan Nichols
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Northeastern State
University, BA; University of Oklahoma, JD ■ Party—Republican ■
District—15 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2001–pres-
ent ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary; Education; Energy;
Judiciary; Redistricting, Judicial Vice Chair; and Rules, Vice Chair.
Nichols was born on November 14, 1965. He received a bachelor’s degree
in English from Northeastern State University in 1990 and a Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1993. In addition, he completed the National
College of District Attorneys Career Prosecutor Course. Nichols has been employed as an
assistant district attorney, and has served as project director of the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug
 Legislative Branch  119

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Task Force. His also serves on the Norman and Blanchard chambers of commerce. Nichols
married the former Talitha Duke. They have two daughters—Jessica and Rachel.
To contact Nichols: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 428, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5535, or nichols@oksenate.gov.

Susan Paddack
■ Occupation—Nonprofit Consultant ■ Education—University of
Colorado, BS; East Central University, ME ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—13 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–pres-
ent; Majority Whip, 2007; Minority Whip, 2009; Minority Caucus
Vice Chair, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations;
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Education; Energy;
and Transportation.
Paddack received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University
of Colorado, and a master’s degree in secondary education from East Central University.
She has been employed as a secondary science teacher in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Paddack was employed as the director of Local Education Foundation Outreach for the
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. She won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District
13 in 2004, and serves as the Democratic Whip. Paddack’s civic involvement is extensive. She
served as president of the American Medical Association’s Alliance. Her other civic involve-
ment included serving on the boards of the Ada Arts and Humanities Council, Ada Board
of Adjustments, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, Kiwanis Club of Ada, Oklahoma
Institute for Child Advocacy, Center for Nonprofit Management, and the Pontotoc County
Medical Alliance. She currently serves on the board of the Oklahoma Academy, Jasmine
Moran Children’s Museum, the Oklahoma Arts Institute, and the Oklahoma Foundation for
Excellence. She serves professionally on the Achieving Classroom Excellence Task Force,
Education Commission of the States, Governor’s Catastrophic Health Emergency Planning
Task Force, Governor’s Elimination of Health Disparities Task Force, Healthcare Workforce
Resource Center Board, Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust, Southern Regional
Education Board, and the State Coverage Initiative to Reform Healthcare in Oklahoma.
To contact Paddack: 500 SE County Road, Ada, OK 74820, or 405/521–5541, or
paddack@oksenate.gov.

Jim Reynolds
■ Occupation—Self-Employed ■ Education—Southern Nazarene
University, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—43 ■ Legislative
Experience—Senate Member, 2001–present ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety &
Judiciary; Education; Finance; Public Safety; and Veterans & Military
Affairs, Chair.
Reynolds was born on September 18, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He received a bachelor’s degree in management and human resources
from Southern Nazarene University in 1995. Reynolds won election to the Oklahoma Senate
from District 43 in 2000. His civic participation includes serving on the Del City, Moore, and
Oklahoma City chambers of commerce. His other affiliations include the American Council
of Young Political Leaders, American Legislative Exchange Council, and National Council of
120  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
State Legislators. He also spearheaded on the Executive Committee for Citizens Supporting
a USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
To contact Reynolds: 9801 S Harvey, Oklahoma City, OK 73139, or 405/521–5522, or
reynolds@oksenate.gov.

Andrew Rice
■ Occupation—Nonprofit Director ■ Education—Colby College
(Maine), BA; Harvard University Divinity School, MDiv ■ Party—
Democrat ■ District—46 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member,
2007–present; Minority Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations; General Government; Redistricting, Co-Vice Chair;
Retirement & Insurance; and Rules.
Rice was born in Oklahoma City on April 23, 1973. He received a bach-
elor’s degree in religious studies from Colby College in 1996, and a
master’s degree in theology from Harvard University Divinity School in 1999. Prior to enroll-
ing at Harvard, Rice worked and traveled in Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. In Sri Lanka, he
worked with the largest grassroots NGO (nongovernmental organization) in Asia, helping
with rural development in village life and in the conflict zone. In Thailand Rice worked for
the country’s largest private AIDS hospice, and in India, he studied drug addiction problems
and treatment in urban areas. While in graduate school, he produced a documentary film
in Bangalore, India, entitled From Ashes, which focused on India’s AIDS pandemic. After
graduate school, he worked as a freelance documentary producer and editor. Rice’s older
brother, David, was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As a result of the
tragedy, he decided to rededicate his career to social justice work and political reform. He
worked for the Texas Freedom Network, which counters the influence of religious extremism
in public policy. He founded the Progressive Alliance Foundation that works throughout
Oklahoma advancing progressive, fair-minded, and constitutional solutions to public policy
problems. He also launched the Red River Democracy Project (RRDP), and is on the board of
The People’s Opinion Project. Rice won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 46 in
November 2006. He and his wife, Apple, have two sons—Noah David and Parker Harrison.
To contact Rice: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 522, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5610, or rice@oksenate.gov.

Steve Russell
■ Occupation—National Speaker/Writer ■ Education—Ouachita
Baptist University, BA; Command & General Staff College, MA
■ Party—Republican ■ District—45 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary; Finance; Health &
Human Services; Public Safety; and Veterans & Military Affairs,
Co-Chair.
Russell was born on May 25, 1963, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A native
of Del City, Oklahoma, he received his bachelor’s degree in public speaking and his mas-
ter’s degree in history. Russell commanded the 1st Battalion, 22 Infantry in Iraq in 2003–04,
and was a central player in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. His unit was featured
in Discovery’s “Ace in the Hole” and BBC Panorama’s “Saddam on the Run.” His unit was
 Legislative Branch  121

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broadly covered by all the major media during the first year of the war. Russell turned down
a promotion to colonel and a war college fellowship to Kingston, Canada, to retire from the
United States Army after serving twenty-one years in Airborn, Light and Mechanized infantry
assignments in the Arctic, the desert, the Pacific, in Europe, and in the continental United
States. He served more than seven years overseas and deployed operationally to Kosovo,
Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In 2006 he returned to Oklahoma City with his wife and five
children. Upon his return, he founded Vets for Victory to combat defeatists on the home
front and to encourage Americans to support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. Russell travels
extensively as an exclusive speaker for Premiere Speaker’s Bureau and is a war analyst on
radio and television as well as the print media. He serves as chairman of Vets for Victory
and a board member of Vets for Freedom. He won election to the Oklahoma Senate from
District 45 in November 2008.
To contact Russell: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 428B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5618, or russell@oksenate.gov.

Mike Schulz
■ Occupation—Farmer ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—38 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2007–present; Majority Whip, 2009: Majority Floor
Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—As Majority Floor Leader,
Schulz serves as ex-officio member of all committees.
Schulz was born on March 5, 1964, in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Oklahoma State University.
He first won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 38 in a
special election held in April 2006, following the death of Senator Kerr. He was re-elected
in November 2006. Schulz is an active member of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, where he
served as chairman of the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee in 1996 and also worked
for the organization for many years as a field representative. He is a graduate of Oklahoma
Agriculture Leadership Class V. Schulz continues to be an active member in the Altus Kiwanis
Club as well as the Highland Heights United Methodist Church. He married the former
Reenie Reid, and the couple have two children—Benjamin and Abby.
To contact Schulz: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 418, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5612, or schulz@oksenate.gov.

Ralph Shortey
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ District—44 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2011■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary; General Government;
Judiciary; Public Safety, Vice Chair; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Shortey was elected to the Oklahoma Senate from District 44 on
November 2, 2010.
To contact Shortey: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 514A,
Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–5557, or shortey@oksenate.gov.
122  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
Frank Simpson
■ Occupation—Part-time Pastor ■ Education—Cedar Valley College
■ Party—Republican ■ District—14 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture &
Rural Development; Appropriations Subcommittee on Education;
Energy; Finance; and Veterans & Military Affairs, Vice Chair.
Having been encouraged to seek public office by his friends and fam-
ily, Simpson was elected to the Oklahoma Senate from District 14 on
November 2, 2010. Simpson’s professional career began at the age of
eighteen, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his twenty-six year navy career,
he earned several awards and honors. Among those were the Navy Commendation Medal
for service with the Multinational Force in Beirut, Lebanon, and the Navy Achievement
Medal for professional performance. Simpson earned a warrant commission and retired
in 1988 with the rank of CWO-4. After retiring from the navy, he worked in the private sec-
tor for almost twenty years. Simpson served as a facilities manager for several large retail
companies. He has also served as a part-time pastor in the United Methodist Church since
2000. He currently pastors the First United Methodist Church in Mannsville. Simpson and
his wife Linda have been married since 1964. They have four daughters, fifteen grandchil-
dren, and a growing number of great grandchildren. The couple lives on their “Little Piece
of Heaven” in Springer.
To contact Simpson: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 513B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5607, or simpson@oksenate.gov.

John Sparks
■ Occupation—Small Businessman/Rancher/Attorney ■
Education—Harvard College, AB; University of Oklahoma, JD
■ Party—Democrat ■ District—16 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2007–present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader,
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations Subcommittee
on Education; Education; Finance; Redistricting; Retirement &
Insurance; and Rules.
After growing up on his family’s ranch near Sulphur, Oklahoma, Sparks
was selected to attend and play football for Harvard College. He graduated as an All-Ivy
League selection at defensive tackle. He returned to Oklahoma, and received his Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Oklahoma. Sparks practiced law for several years in Oklahoma
before starting his own small business, Corner Post Management & Consulting LLC, a private
business enterprise that seeks to improve access to quality health care for children, senior
citizens, and individuals recovering from mental illness. He won election to the Oklahoma
Senate from District 16 in November 2006. Since being elected, he has once again entered
the practice of law and continues to be actively involved in his family’s ranch. He served
as past president of both the Cleveland County Bar Association and the Cleveland County
Workforce Investment Board. He serves on the boards of directors for two health-related
non-profit organizations, Health for Friends and Thunderbird Clubhouse. He volunteers for
the United Way of Norman and is a member of the Norman Sooner Rotary Club, Norman
Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and
Cleveland County Cattlemen’s Association. He and his wife Beth have two sons. They are
 Legislative Branch  123

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active members of the McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, and serve on the
church’s administrative board.
To contact Sparks: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 533, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5553, or sparks@oksenate.gov.

Gary Stanislawski
■ Occupation—Financial Planner ■ Education—Oregon State
University, BS; Oral Roberts University, MA ■ Party—Republican
■ District—35 ■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2009;
Majority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations;
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; Education, Vice Chair;
Retirement & Insurance; and Transportation, Chair.
Stanislawski was awarded a four year ROTC scholarship and attended
Oregon State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in busi-
ness administration. Upon graduation, he entered the air force and subsequently earned
his wings as a pilot in 1984. He flew for eight years flying such planes as the B-52 and the B-1
Bomber. He has approximately 2,000 hours flying time. Stanislawski also earned a master’s
degree from Oral Roberts University. He serves as the president of Regent Financial Services,
Inc., and he is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Stanislawski works with
individuals and businesses in investment, retirement, and estate planning services. He
won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 35 in November 2008. He and his wife,
Dayna, have been married twenty-seven years. They have two children—Shawn and Kristie.
To contact Stanislawski:, 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 427A, Oklahoma City, OK
73105, or 405/521–5624, or stanislawski@oksenate.gov.

Anthony Sykes
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BA,
JD ■ Party—Republican ■ District—24 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2007–present; Majority Whip, 2009; Assistant
Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture & Rural
Development; Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on
General Government & Transportation; Judiciary, Chair; Public
Safety; and Rules.
Sykes received a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree from
the University of Oklahoma. He won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 24 in
November 2006.
To contact Sykes: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 426, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/521–5569, or lewis@oksenate.gov.
124  Oklahoma Almanac

State Senate
Greg Treat
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Education—University of Oklahoma,
BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—47 ■ Legislative Experience—
Senate Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health & Human Services; Finance; General
Government; Retirement & Insurance; and Veterans & Military
Affairs.
Treat was elected to the Oklahoma Senate on January 11, 2011, in a spe-
cial election to replace Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb from District
47. After graduating from Catoosa High School, Treat attended the University of Oklahoma,
where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He graduated from
OU with honors earning him membership in the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Following graduation, he was named legislative advisor to former State Representative Fred
Morgan. Treat researched and advised House members on important policy decisions. He
left to become legislative director for then Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, where he helped
guide and implement her legislative agenda. In 2004 Treat began work as regional direc-
tor for Dr. Tom Coburn’s successful United States Senate campaign. Senator Coburn hired
Treat as a field representative and state government liaison. In 2010 Senator Coburn and
other Republican members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation asked Treat to serve as
executive director of the Victory Program. As executive director, he helped raise more than
$500,000, helped register 28,000 new voters, and lead the effort as Republicans won every
statewide elected office for the first time in Oklahoma history. Treat and his wife, Maressa,
reside in northwest Oklahoma City with their two young sons—Mason and Cooper. They
are both active members of Highpointe Church. Treat enjoys spending time with his family,
playing sports, hunting, fishing, and reading.
To contact Treat: 72300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 530, or 405/521–5632, or
treat@oksenate.gov.

Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Old gasoline station along stretch of historic Route 66

 Legislative Branch  125

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Jim Wilson
■ Occupation—Retired Businessman ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BS ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—3 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2001–2004; Senate Member, 2005–
present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations; Appropriations
Subcommittee on Health & Human Services; Finance; Health &
Human Services; and Retirement & Insurance.
Wilson was born on March 9, 1947, in Madison, Wisconsin. He served
in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968. Following his
military service, he enrolled at Oklahoma State University and received a bachelor’s degree
in mathematics. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2001 to 2004.
Wilson won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 3 in 2004. He continues active
participation in the American Legion and the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce. Wilson
married the former Connie Thompson. They have three children—David, Kim, and Jamie.
To contact Wilson: 708 W Shawnee, Tahlequah, OK 74464, or 405/521–5574, or
wilson@oksenate.gov.

Charles Wyrick
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—1
■ Legislative Experience—Senate Member, 2005–present; Whip,
2007; Minority Whip, 2009; Minority Assistant Floor Leader, 2011
■ Committee Membership—Agriculture & Rural Development;
Appropriations; Appropriations Subcommittee on General
Government & Transportation; Business & Commerce; Rules; and
Tourism & Wildlife.
Wyrick won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 1 in 2004.
To contact Wyrick: 58500 E 155 Road, Fairland, OK 74343, or 405/521–5561, or
wyrick@oksenate.gov.
126

Senate Committees
Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees are listed first.
Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman is ex-officio voting member of all senate committees.
Agriculture and Rural Development—Eddie Fields, Ron Justice, Mark Allen, Patrick
Anderson, Don Barrington, Randy Bass, Jerry Ellis, Tom Ivester, David Myers, Frank
Simpson, Anthony Sykes, and Charles Wyrick.
Appropriations—David Myers, Clark Jolley, Roger Ballenger, Cliff Branan, Rick Brinkley,
Sean Burrage, Brian Crain, John Ford, Jim Halligan, Tom Ivester, Ron Justice, Bryce
Marlatt, Dan Newberry, Jonathan Nichols, Susan Paddack, Andrew Rice, Gary Stani-
slawski, Anthony Sykes, Jim Wilson, and Charles Wyrick.
Appropriations Subcommittees—
All subcommittee members are members of the standing Appropriations Committee. The chair of the Appro-
priations Committee is an ex officio and voting member of each subcommittee.
Education—Jim Halligan, John Ford, Cliff Aldridge, Josh Brecheen, Rick Brinkley, Judy
Eason McIntyre, Earl Garrison, Mike Mazzei, Susan Paddack, Frank Simpson, John
Sparks, and Gary Stanislawski.
General Government and Transportation—Bryce Marlatt, Cliff Branan, Randy Bass, Bill
Brown, Sean Burrage, Harry Coates, Anthony Sykes, and Charles Wyrick.
Health and Human Services—Clark Jolley, Kim David, Tom Adelson, Mark Allen, David
Holt, Constance Johnson, Dan Newberry, Greg Treat, and Jim Wilson.
Natural Resources and Regulatory Services—Ron Justice; Eddie Fields, Roger Ballenger,
Brian Crain, Jerry Ellis, and Rob Johnson.
Public Safety and Judiciary—Jonathan Nichols, Don Barrington, Tom Ivester, Charlie
Laster, Richard Lerblance, Jim Reynolds, Steve Russell, and Ralph Shortey.
Business and Commerce—Dan Newberry, David Holt, Rick Brinkley, Harry Coates, Kim
David, Judy Eason McIntyre, Jerry Ellis, John Ford, Jim Halligan, Charlie Laster, and
Charles Wyrick.
Education—John Ford, Gary Stanislawski, Cliff Branan, Joshh Brecheen, Kim David, Judy
Eason McIntyre, Earl Garrison, Jim Halligan, David Holt, Clark Jolley, Charlie Laster,
Richard Lerblance, Mike Mazzei, Jonathan Nichols, Susan Paddack, Jim Reynolds,
and John Sparks.
Energy—Cliff Branan, Bryce Marlatt, Tom Adelson, Mark Allen, Sean Burrage, Eddie
Fields, Tom Ivester, Rob Johnson, Clark Jolley, Richard Lerblance, David Myers,
Jonathan Nichols, Susan Paddack, and Frank Simpson.
Finance—Mike Mazzei, Rick Brinkley, Tom Adelson, Cliff Aldridge, Roger Ballenger, Kim
David, John Ford, Jim Ford, Jim Halligan, Tom Ivester, Clark Jolley, Jim Reynolds,
Steve Russell, Frank Simpson, John Sparks, Greg Treat, and Jim Wilson.
General Government—Cliff Aldridge, Roger Ballenger, Tom Adelson, Bill Brown, Harry
Coates, Bryce Marlatt, Andrew Rice, Ralph Shortey, and Greg Treat.
Health and Human Resources—Brian Crain, Sean Burrage, Rick Brinkley, Constance
Johnson, Rob Johnson, Dan Newberry, Steve Russell, and Jim Wilson.
Judiciary—Anthony Sykes, Rob Johnson, Josh Brecheen, Brian Crain, Judy Eason
McIntyre, Charlie Laster, Richard Lerblance, Jonathan Nichols, and Ralph Shortey.
Public Safety and Homeland Security—Don Barrington, Ralph Shortey, Roger Ballenger,
Earl Garrison, Constance Johnson, Ron Justice, Jim Reynolds, Steve Russell, and
Anthony Sykes.
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State Senate
Retirement and Insurance—Bill Brown, Cliff Aldridge, Patrick Anderson, Randy Bass, Josh
Brecheen, Brian Crain, Mike Mazzei, Andrew Rice, John Sparks, Gary Stanislawski,
Greg Treat, and Jim Wilson
Redistricting—Clark Jolley, Bryce Marlatt, Mark Allen, Don Barrington, Sean Burrage, Kim
David, Judy Eason McIntyre, Eddie Fields, David Holt, Dan Newberry, Jonathan Nich-
ols, Andrew Rice, and John Sparks.
Rules—Rob Johnson, Jonathan Nichols, Patrick Anderson, Cliff Branan, Josh Brecheen, Judy
Eason McIntyre, Jerry Ellis, Eddie Fields, John Ford, Earl Garrison, David Holt, Clark
Jolley, Mike Mazzei, Dan Newberry, Andrew Rice, John Sparks, Anthony Sykes, and
Charles Wyrick.
Tourism and Wildlife—Harry Coates, Jerry Ellis, Patrick Anderson, Don Barrington, Randy
Bass, Bill Brown, Eddie Fields, Earl Garrison, Ron Justice, David Myers, and Charles
Wyrick.
Transportation—Gary Stanislawski, Mark Allen, Cliff Branan, Sean Burrage, David Holt,
Constance Johnson, Bryce Marlatt, Dan Newberry, and Susan Paddack.
Veterans and Military Affairs—Jim Reynolds, Steve Russell, Frank Simpson, Tom Adelson,
Cliff Aldridge, Mark Allen, Don Barrington, Randy Bass, Bill Brown, Harry Coates, Kim
David, Earl Garrison, Tom Ivester, Constance Johnson, Ralph Shortey, and Greg Treat.
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma— operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society
128

Oklahoma State House of

Representatives
House of Representatives Leadership
Speaker Kris Steele Majority Caucus
Vice Chair Harold Wright
Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrey Hickman
Majority Caucus
Majority Leader Dale DeWitt
Secretary Marian Cooksey
Majority Floor Leader Daniel Sullivan
Minority Leader Scott Inman
Assistant Majority
Minority Floor Leader Chuck Hoskin
Floor Leader Gary W. Banz
Deputy Minority
Assistant Majority
Floor Leader Eric Proctor
Floor Leader Lisa J. Billy
Assistant Minority
Assistant Majority
Floor Leader Wes Hillard
Floor Leader George Faught
Assistant Minority
Assistant Majority
Floor Leader Steve Kouplan
Floor Leader Mike Jackson
Assistant Minority
Assistant Majority
Floor Leader Al McAffrey
Floor Leader Dennis Johnson
Assistant Minority
Assistant Majority
Floor Leader Jeannie McDaniel
Floor Leader Leslie Osborn
Assistant Minority
Majority Whip Sky McNiel
Floor Leader Wade Rousselot
Assistant Majority Whip Dennis Casey
Assistant Minority
Assistant Majority Whip Marion Cooksey Floor Leader Mike Shelton
Assistant Majority Whip Corey Holland Minority Whip Ben Sherrer
Assistant Majority Whip Fred Jordan Assistant Minority Whip Cory T. Williams
Assistant Majority Whip Steve Martin Minority Caucus Chair Jerry McPeak
Assistant Majority Whip Randy McDaniel Minority Caucus
Assistant Majority Whip Mike Sanders Vice Chair Joe Dorman

Assistant Majority Whip Paul Wesselhoft Minority Caucus

Secretary Donnie Condit
Majority Caucus Chair Weldon Watson

State Representatives by District
This list of representatives by district is given as a cross-reference. In the following section,
representative’s names are arranged in alphabetical order.
Dist. Name
1 Rusty Farley (R)
2 John Bennett (R)
3 James Lockhart (D)
4 Mike Brown (D)
5 Doug Cox (R)
6 Chuck Hoskin (D)
7 Larry Glenn (D)
8 Ben Sherrer (D)
9 Marty Quinn (R)
10 Steve Martin (R)
11 Earl Sears (R)
12 Wade Rousselot (D)
13 Jerry McPeak (D)
14 George Faught (R)
15 Ed Cannaday (D)
16 Jerry Shoemake (D)
17 Brian Renegar (D)
18 Donnie Condit (D)
19 R.C. Pruett (D)
20 Paul Roan (D)
21 Dustin Roberts (R)
22 Wes Hilliard (D)
23 Sue Tibbs (R)
24 Steve Kouplen (D)
25 Todd Thomsen (R)
26 Kris Steele (R)
27 Josh Cockroft (R)
28 Tom Newell (R)
29 Skye McNiel (R)
30 Mark McCullough (R)
31 Jason Murphey (R)
32 Danny Morgan (D)
33 Lee Denney (R)
34 Cory T. Williams (D)
35 Dennis Casey (R)
Dist. Name
36 Sean Roberts (R)
37 Steve Vaughan (R)
38 Dale DeWitt (R)
39 Marian Cooksey (R)
40 Mike Jackson (R)
41 John Enns (R)
42 Lisa Billy (R)
43 Colby Schwartz (R)
44 Emily Virgin (D)
45 Aaron Stiles (R)
46 Scott Martin (R)
47 Leslie Osborn (R)
48 Pat Ownbey (R)
49 Tommy Hardin (R)
50 Dennis Johnson (R)
51 Corey Holland (R)
52 Charles Ortega (R)
53 Randy Terrill (R)
54 Paul Wesselhoft (R)
55 Todd Russ (R)
56 Phil Richardson (R)
57 Harold Wright (R)
58 Jeff Hickman (R)
59 Mike Sanders (R)
60 Purcy Walker (D)
61 Gus Blackwell (R)
62 T.W. Shannon (R)
63 Don Armes (R)
64 Ann Coody (R)
65 Joe Dorman (D)
66 Jadine Nollan (R)
67 Pam Peterson (R)
68 Glen Mulready (R)
69 Fred Jordan (R)
70 Ron Peters (R)
Legislative Branch  129
Dist. Name
71 Daniel Sullivan (R)
72 Seneca Scott (D)
73 Jabar Shumate (D)
74 David Derby (R)
75 Dan Kirby (R)
76 David Brumbaugh (R)
77 Eric Proctor (D)
78 Jeannie McDaniel (D)
79 Weldon Watson (R)
80 Mike Ritze (R)
81 Randy Grau (R)
82 Guy Liebmann (R)
83 Randy McDaniel (R)
84 Sally Kern (R)
85 David Dank (R)
86 William Fourkiller (D)
87 Jason Nelson (R)
88 Al McAffrey (D)
89 Rebecca Hamilton (D)
90 Charles Key (R)
91 Mike Reynolds (R)
92 Richard Morrissette (D)
93 Mike Christian (R)
94 Scott Inman (D)
95 Charlie Joyner (R)
96 Lewis H. Moore (R)
97 Mike Shelton (D)
98 John Trebilcock (R)
99 Anastasia Pittman (D)
100 Elise Hall (R)
101 Gary Banz (R)
 House District Maps
District maps in this edition of the Oklahoma Almanac depict the U.S. congressional districts and the state’s legislative districts for the 2002 through
2010 elections. In addition to determining political divisions for the election of officials, these districts also guide executive and legislative branch
appointments to state and federal offices and institutions.
130  Oklahoma Almanac
 Legislative Branch  131

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132  Oklahoma Almanac

Representatives Contact Reference List

The House switchboard number is 405/521–2711. (Agency Code 422, IA)
Representative Phone Room E-mail
Armes, Don (63) 405/557–7307 440 donarmes@okhouse.gov
Banz, Gary W. (101) 405/557–7395 406 garybanz@okhouse.gov
Bennett, John (2) 405/557–7315 326 john.bennett@okhouse.gov
Billy, Lisa J. (42) 405/557–7365 302A lisajbilly@okhouse.gov
Blackwell, Gus (61) 405/557–7384 305A gusblackwell@okhouse.gov
Brown, Mike (4) 405/557–7408 545 mikebrown@okhouse.gov
Brumbaugh, David (76) 405/557/7347 329B david.brumbaugh@okhouse.gov
Cannaday, Ed (15) 405/557–7375 339B ed.cannaday@okhouse.gov
Casey, Dennis (35) 405/557–7344 300B dennis.casey@okhouse.gov
Christian, Mike (93) 405/557–7371 537C mike.christian@okhouse.gov
Cockroft, Josh (27) 405/557–7349 315 josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov
Condit, Donnie (18) 405/557–7376 500A donnie.condit@okhouse.gov
Coody, Ann (64) 405/557–7398 439 anncoody@okhouse.gov
Cooksey, Marian (39) 405/557–7342 409 mariancooksey@okhouse.gov
Cox, Doug (5) 405/557–7415 410 dougcox@okhouse.gov
Dank, David (85) 405/557–7392 400 david.dank@okhouse.gov
Denney, Lee (33) 405/557–7304 436 leedenney@okhouse.gov
Derby, David (74) 405/557–7377 337 david.derby@okhouse.gov
DeWitt, Dale (38) 405/557–7332 433 daledewitt@okhouse.gov
Dorman, Joe (65) 405/557–7305 507 joedorman@okhouse.gov
Enns, John (41) 405/557–7321 434 john.enns@okhouse.gov
Farley, Rusty (11) 405/557–7363 325 rusty.farley@okhouse.gov
Faught, George (14) 405/557–7310 301A george.faught@okhouse.gov
Fourkiller, William (86) 405/557–7394 510B will.fourkiller@okhouse.gov
Glenn, Larry (7) 405/557–7399 502 larryglenn@okhouse.gov
Grau, Randy (81) 405/557–7360 324 randy.grau@okhouse.gov
Hall, Elise (100) 405/557–7403 321 elise.hall@okhouse.gov
Hamilton, Rebecca (89) 405/557–7397 510 rebeccahamilton@okhouse.gov
Hardin, Tommy (49) 405/557–7383 323 tommy.hardin@okhouse.gov
Hickman, Jeff (58) 405/557–7339 411 jwhickman@okhouse.gov
Hilliard, Wes (22) 405/557–7412 500 weshilliard@okhouse.gov
Holland, Corey (51) 405/557–7405 537 corey.holland@okhouse.gov
Hoskin, Chuck (6) 405/557–7319 509 chuck.hoskin@okhouse.gov
Inman, Scott (94) 405/557–7370 548 scott.inman@okhouse.gov
Jackson, Mike (40) 405/557–7317 441 mikejackson@okhouse.gov
Johnson, Dennis (50) 405/557–7327 435 dennis.johnson@okhouse.gov
Jordan, Fred (69) 405/557–7331 333 fred.jordan@okhouse.gov
Joyner, Charlie (95) 405/557–7314 336 charlie.joyner@okhouse.gov
Kern, Sally (84) 405/557–7348 304 sallykern@okhouse.gov
Key, Charles (90) 405/557–7354 405 charles.key@okhouse.gov
Kirby, Dan (75) 405/557–7356 334 dan.kirby@okhouse.gov
Kouplen, Steve (24) 405/557–7306 546 steve.kouplen@okhouse.gov
Liebmann, Guy (82) 405/557–7357 331 guyliebmann@okhouse.gov
Lockhart, James (3) 405/557–7413 510B james.lockhart@okhouse.gov
Martin, Scott (46) 405/557–7329 335 scott.martin@okhouse.gov
Martin, Steve (10) 405/557–7402 330 stevemartin@okhouse.gov
McAffrey, Al (88) 405/557–7396 544 al.mcaffrey@okhouse.gov
McCullough, Mark (30) 405/557–7414 435A mark.mccullough@okhouse.gov
McDaniel, Jeannie (78) 405/557–7334 508 jeanniemcdaniel@okhouse.gov
 Legislative Branch  133

Representative Phone Room E-mail

McDaniel, Randy (83) 405/557–7409 302B randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.gov
McNiel, Skye (29) 405/557–7353 433B skye.mcniel@okhouse.gov
McPeak, Jerry (13) 405/557–7302 503 jerrymcpeak@okhouse.gov
Moore, Lewis H. (96) 405/557–7400 329A lewis.moore@okhouse.gov
Morgan, Danny (32) 405/557–7368 501 dannymorgan@okhouse.gov
Morrissette, Richard (92) 405/557–7404 543 richardmorrissette@okhouse.gov
Mulready, Glen (68) 405/557–7340 338 glen.mulready@okhouse.gov
Murphey, Jason (31) 405/557–7350 437 jason.murphey@okhouse.gov
Nelson, Jason (87) 405/557–7335 301 jason.nelson@okhouse.gov
Newell, Tom (28) 405/557–7372 328B tom.newell@okhouse.gov
Nollan, Jadine (66) 405/557–7390 320 jadine.nollan@okhouse.gov
Ortega, Charles (52) 405/557–7369 537 charles.ortega@okhouse.gov
Osborn, Leslie (47) 405/557–7333 303B leslie.osborn@okhouse.gov
Ownbey, Pat (48) 405/557–7326 301 pat.ownbey@okhouse.gov
Peters, Ron (70) 405/557–7359 328 ronpeters@okhouse.gov
Peterson, Pam (67) 405/557–7341 303 pampeterson@okhouse.gov
Pittman, Anastasia (99) 405/557–7393 505 anastasia.pittman@okhouse.gov
Proctor, Eric (77) 405/557–7410 540A eric.proctor@okhouse.gov
Pruett, R.C. (19) 405/557–7382 542 rcpruett@okhouse.gov
Quinn, Marty (9) 405/557–7380 300C marty.quinn@okhouse.gov
Renegar, Brian (17) 405/557–7381 504 brian.renegar@okhouse.gov
Reynolds, Mike (91) 405/557–7337 301B mikereynolds@okhouse.gov
Richardson, Phil (56) 405/557–7401 438 philrichardson@okhouse.gov
Ritze, Mike (80) 405/557–7338 300A mike.ritze@okhouse.gov
Roan, Paul (20) 405/557–7308 540 paulroan@okhouse.gov
Roberts, Dustin (21) 405/557–7366 319 dustin.roberts@okhouse.gov
Roberts, Sean (36) 405/557–7322 322 sean.roberts@okhouse.gov
Rousselot, Wade (12) 405/557–7388 314 waderousselot@okhouse.gov
Russ, Todd (55) 405/557–7312 300 todd.russ@okhouse.gov
Sanders, Mike (59) 405/557–7407 536 mike.sanders@okhouse.gov
Schwartz, Colby (43) 405/557–7352 329 colby.schwartz@okhouse.gov
Scott, Seneca (72) 405/557–7391 539 seneca.scott@okhouse.gov
Sears, Earl (11) 405/557–7358 432D earl.sears@okhouse.gov
Shannon, T.W. (62) 405/557–7374 328A tw.shannon@okhouse.gov
Shelton, Mike (97) 405/557–7367 539 mikeshelton@okhouse.gov
Sherrer, Benjamin (8) 405/557–7364 500 bensherrer@okhouse.gov
Shoemake, Jerry (16) 405/557–7373 506 jerryshoemake@okhouse.gov
Shumate, Jabar (73) 405/557–7406 510 jabarshumate@okhouse.gov
Steele, Kris (26) 405/557–7345 401 krissteele@okhouse.gov
Stiles, Aaron (45) 405/557–7386 338 aaron.stiles@okhouse.gov
Sullivan, Daniel (71) 405/557–7361 442 danielsullivan@okhouse.gov
Terrill, Randy (53) 405/557–7346 407 randyterrill@okhouse.gov
Thomsen, Todd (25) 405/557–7336 408 todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov
Tibbs, Sue (23) 405/557–7379 303A suetibbs@okhouse.gov
Trebilcock, John (98) 405/557–7362 404 johntrebilcock@okhouse.gov
Vaughn, Steve (37) 405/557–7355 317 steve.vaughn@okhouse.gov
Virgin, Emily (44) 405/557–7323 539B emily.virgin@okhouse.gov
Walker, Purcy (60) 405/557–7311 541 purcywalker@okhouse.gov
Watson, Weldon (79) 405/557–7330 302 weldon.watson@okhouse.gov
134  Oklahoma Almanac

Representative Phone Room E-mail

Wesselhoft, Paul (54) 405/557–7343 332 paulwesselhoft@okhouse.gov
Williams, Cory T. (34) 405/557–7411 316 cory.williams@okhouse.gov
Wright, Harold (57) 405/557–7325 400B harold.wright@okhouse.gov

Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center, in the original Chandler Armory building constructed in 1936–37 by
the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA), and used by the Oklahoma National Guard until 1971.
 135

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Kris Steele
■ Occupation—Associate Pastor ■ Education—Oklahoma Baptist
University, BA; East Central University, MEd ■ Party—Republican
■ District—26 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member,
2001–present; Speaker Pro Tempore 2008–2010 ■ Committee
Membership—The Speaker of the House serves as Ex Officio vot-
ing on all House committees.
Steele was born on July 11, 1973, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University,
and a master’s degree in education from East Central University. Steele won election to
the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 26 in 2000. He married the former
Kellie Kursar. They have two daughters—Mackenzie and Madison. He is an associate
minister at Wesley United Methodist Church.
To contact Steele: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 401, or 405/557–7345, or
krissteele@okhouse.gov.

Membership

Don Armes
■ Occupation—Auctioneer/Broadcaster/Farmer/Rancher ■
Education—Cameron University, BS ■ Party—Republican
■ District—63 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member,
2003–present; Deputy Majority Whip, 2004–2010; ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget; Appropriations &
Budget Joint Committee; Economic Development, Tourism &
Financial Services; Energy & Utility Regulation; Natural Resources
& Regulatory Services, Chair; Redistricting Southern Oklahoma
Subcommittee, Chair; and Rules.
Armes was born on July 31, 1961, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s
degree in agricultural education and animal science from Cameron University in 1984.
Armes won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 63 in
2002. In the November 2004 election, Republicans gained control of the House, and
Armes was elected majority whip. He has received the Media Appreciation Award by the
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. He also has been named by the readers of the Lawton
Constitution as the 1999–2000 “Favorite Television Personality” and the 1999–2000, and
2003 “Favorite Auctioneer.” In 2006 Armes received the Legislative Appreciation Award
from the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association as well as the Meritorious Service Award
from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. In 2007 he received the Honorary American Degree
from the National Future Farmers of America Association. He continues active participa-
tion in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the National Rifle Association, Oklahoma
Rifle Association, and the Tillman County Ducks Unlimited. He married the former Dede
Redelk. They have two daughters—Katy and Kelsey.
 136  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
To contact Armes: 10506 SW Tinney Road, Faxon, OK 73540, or 580/536–0518, or
donarmes@okhouse.gov.

Gary W. Banz
■ Occupation—Education/Retired ■ Education—Southern
Nazarene University, BS; University of Central Oklahoma, MEd ■
Party—Republican ■ District—101 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2005–present; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Administrative Rules & Government
Oversight; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education;
Rules; and Veterans & Military Affairs, Chair.
Banz was born on December 7, 1945, in Sylvia, Kansas. He received a
bachelor’s degree from Southern Nazarene University and a master’s degree in education
from the University of Central Oklahoma. He served in the United States Army from 1968 to
1970 and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982 to 1990. During his military career, Banz received
the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. He is a retired educa-
tor, having taught in the Ada, Midwest City, and Putnam City schools. Banz won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 101 in 2004. He continues active
participation in the Choctaw and Midwest City chambers of commerce, Choctaw Church
of the Nazarene, Mid-America Kiwanis Club of Midwest City, Midwest City, Rotary, and
Oklahoma Coaches Association. Banz married the former Linda Burchett. They have three
children—Michelle, Mindy, and Mark, and five grandchildren. Banz founded Oklahoma
Honor Flights in 2009
To contact Banz: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 406, Oklahoma City, OK, 73015, or
405/557–7395, or garybanz@okhouse.gov.

John Bennett
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Party—Republican ■ District—2
■ Legislative Experience—2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife, and Environment; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Public Safety; Public Safety; and Veterans &
Military Affairs.
Bennett won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 2 on November 2, 2010
To contact Bennett: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 326, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/557–7315, or john.bennett@okhouse.gov.

Lisa J. Billy
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Education—Northeastern State
University, BA; University of Oklahoma, MEd ■ Party—Republican ■
District—42 ■ Legislative Experience—Chickasaw Tribal Legislator,
1996–2001; House Member, 2004–present; Deputy Majority Whip,
2007; Majority Caucus Vice Chair, 2007; Majority Floor Leader, 2009;
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife, and Environment; Appropriations & Budget;
 Legislative Branch  137

State House of Representatives

Appropriations & Budget Joint Committee; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Public Safety, Chair; General Government; Long-term Care & Senior Services; and
Redistricting Southern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Billy was born on February 21, 1967, in Purcell, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor’s degree
in business and fine arts from Northeastern State University and a master’s degree in educa-
tion from the University of Oklahoma. She and her husband, Phillip, led Cub Scout Pack 247,
serving four years. Billy also served nine years on the National Board for Girl Scouts of the
USA. She attends Lighthouse Worship Center in Purcell. Billy is a member of the National
Rifle Association. She is married to Phillip Billy. They have three children—Masheli, Nahinli,
and Anoli. Together they enjoy high school band events, Choctaw/Chickasaw dancing,
horses, and little league sports.
To contact Billy: PO Box 1412, Purcell, OK 73080, or 405/557–7365, or
lisajbilly@okhouse.gov.

Gus Blackwell
■ Occupation—Minister ■ Education—Oklahoma Baptist University,
BA; Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary, MDiv; Oklahoma
Panh&le State University, BS; Southwestern Oklahoma State
University, MBA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—61 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member 2003–present; Speaker Pro Tempore,
2006–2008 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Judiciary, Chair;
Common Education; Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget;
Judiciary; and Long-term Care & Senior Services.
Blackwell was born on November 4, 1955, in Wichita, Kansas. He holds several univer-
sity degrees including bachelor degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma
Panhandle State University, a master’s degree in divinity from Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary, and a master’s degree in business administration from Southwestern
Oklahoma State University. Blackwell was employed with the Baptist General Convention
for the past twenty years as a campus minister. He served as campus minister with the
Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Goodwell and Sayre. Blackwell won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 61 in 2002. He has been named in Who’s Who in the
Southwest and Outstanding Young Men of America. He married the former Joanna Jett.
They have three children—Corissa, Carson, and Caleb.
To contact Blackwell: Box 790, Laverne, OK 73484, or 580/921–3349, or
gusblackwell@okhouse.gov.

Mike Brown
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—Fort Gibson High
School ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—4 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader,
2007; Minority Floor Leader, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Revenue & Taxation; Economic Development, Tourism &
Financial Services; and Transportation.
 138  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Brown was born on April 7, 1957, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A graduate of Fort Gibson High
School, Brown is a self-employed businessman. He founded and is the owner of Northeastern
Oklahoma Sign Company. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 4 in 2004. Brown married the former Tammy Taylor. They have two children—Brandi
and Dustin. He continues active participation in the Oklahoma Signage Task Force and the
Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include fiddle making and playing, and
horse back riding.
To contact Brown: PO Box 1460, Tahlequah, OK 74465, or 405/557–7408, or
mikebrown@okhouse.gov.

David Brumbaugh
■ Occupation—Business Owner/Electric Power Industry ■
Education—Belmont Abbey College, BA; Pacific Western University,
MBA; Oklahoma State University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—76
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Administrative Rules & Government Oversight;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety; Energy &
Utility Regulation; Government Modernization
Brumbaugh was born on December 2, 1960, in Abington, Pennsylvania.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a minor in theology, and master’s degree in
business administration. Brumbaugh also has executive education in energy applications. He
is the president and owner of DRB Industries LLC, a leading company in the electric power
industry. He was named to Who’s Who of Outstanding U.S. Business Executives. Brumbaugh
is also a published author and noted speaker. He is a decorated U.S. Army veteran having
served with the 101st Airborne Division and an American Legion Member. From 2008 to 2010
Brumbaugh served as a Tulsa City-County Library Commissioner, and from 2006–2010 as vice
chairman of Mingo Valley Christian School Board. He also served on government relations
committees with the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce. Brumbaugh won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 76 in 2010. He was ordained as a deacon in
2000, and has served as chairman of the deacon board at Tulsa Bible Church . Brumbaugh
serves on the executive board of the Tulsa County Republican Party, as precinct chairman
and as a delegate to the county and state Republican conventions. He is a member of the
NRA, National Right to Life, Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, and Prison Invasion Ministry.
He married the former Shelley Edwards and they have two children—Abigail and Hannah.
To contact Brumbaugh: PO Box 364, Broken Arrow, OK 74013, 405/557–7347, or
david.brumbaugh@okhouse.gov.

Ed Cannaday
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—15
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007 ■ Committee
Membership—Common Education; Long-term Care & Senior
Services; Public Health; and Public Safety.
Cannaday was born in Radisson, Wisconsin, on October 31, 1940. He
served in the United States Army, 25th Infantry Division from 1959 to
1962, achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5. In 1964 he received an associ-
ate’s degree from Cameron College. He studied education, social stud-
 Legislative Branch  139

State House of Representatives

ies, and political science at the University of Tulsa, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s
degree. He has accumulated fifty post graduate hours in psychology and administration.
After teaching four years in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Cannaday returned to Oklahoma to help
establish the Pontotoc County Alternative Education Program. He later owned and operated
the Cannaday Dairy Farm in the Porum, Oklahoma, area from 1976 to 1989. He returned to
education as a government and history teacher at Stigler High School, where he also served
as principal from 1998 to 2002. He also served as a teaching principal at Webbers Falls from
2002 to 2006. Cannaday won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 15 in November 2006.
To contact Cannaday: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 339B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7375, or ed.cannaday@okhouse.gov.

Dennis Casey
■ Occupation—Educator/Rancher ■ Education—Oilton Public
School; Northeastern State University, BS, MS ■ Party—Republican
■ District—35 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011;
Assistant Majority Floor Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Education; Common Education; Higher
Education & Career Tech; and Redistricting West/Northwest
Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Casey was born on August 6, 1960, in Wellington, Kansas. He received his bachelor’s and
Master in Education degree at Northeastern State University. He spent twenty-nine years
as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent in Oklahoma. Casey won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 35 in 2010. He and his wife, Kelly, live
north of Morrison on a Ranch in Pawnee County. They have three children—Heath, Kelcey,
and Kamie. They also have three grandchildren—Reese, Rory, and Cason. His hobbies
are family, fishing, hunting, and raising cattle. They are members of Country Side Baptist
Church in Stillwater.
To Contact Casey: 43801 S. 33800, Morrison, Oklahoma 73061 or 405/880–4708 or
dennis.casey@okhouse.gov.

Mike Christian
■ Occupation—Retired State Trooper ■ Education—University
of Arkansas; University of Oklahoma ■ Party—Republican ■
District—93 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2009
■ Committee Membership—General Government, Vice Chair;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety; Insurance;
and Long-term Care & Senior Services.
Christian was born on January 12, 1970 in Durant Oklahoma. He served
as a state trooper for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for nine years, until
his career was cut short by a line-of-duty injury that forced his retirement. He is the recipient
of the Purple Heart, and has received numerous awards for his efforts to curb drunk driving
and drug trafficking. Christian won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 93 in November 2008. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation, University of Oklahoma
 140  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
“O” Club, Retired Troopers Association, and the Retired Peace Officers Association. He and
his wife, Veda, have one son—Michael Jr.
To contact Christian: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 537C, Oklahoma City, OK 74105, or
405/557–7371, or mike.christian@okhouse.gov.

Josh Cockroft
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Party—Republican ■ District—27
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public
Health & Social Services; Government Modernization; Public Safety;
and Transportation.
Cockroft won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 27 on November 2, 2010
To contact Cockroft: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 315, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/557–7349, or josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov.

Donnie Condit
■ Occupation—Retired Educator ■ Education—East Central
University, BS, MS ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—18 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011; Minority Caucus Secretary, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Public Safety; Common Education; General Government; and
Human Services.
Condit was born in Fort Stockton, Texas. His parents only spent a couple
of months in the Fort Stockton area before they moved back home to
South Central Oklahoma. Condit grew up in the Lindsay area, and graduated from Lindsay
High School in 1975. Condit received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1980 and a master’s
degree in education in 1982, both from East Central University. He is a retired educator, hav-
ing served as a teacher, K-12 counselor, and administrator in the McAlester Public School
District. He has been married to his wife, Karen, for more than thirty years. They have three
children—Ami Bax, M.D. and husband Benjamin, Christopher, and Brittany. They are proud
grandparents of—Emma, Jack, and Joey.
To contact Condit: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 500A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7376, or donnie.condit@okhouse.gov.

Ann Coody
■ Occupation—Education/Retired ■ Education—Hardin-Simmons
University, BA; University of Oklahoma, MEd ■ Party—Republican ■
District—64 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–pres-
ent; Majority Caucus Secretary, 2007 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education; Common
Education, Chair; Long-term Care & Senior Services; and Veterans &
Military Affairs.
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Coody was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. She received a bachelor’s degree in speech and
drama from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, and a master’s degree in education
from the University of Oklahoma. For over thirty years, she served as a teacher, counselor,
assistant principal, and principal for the Lawton Public Schools. Coody won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 64 in 2004. She is an active member of
Central Baptist Church of Lawton, Comanche County Retired Educators, and the Oklahoma
Retired Educators Association. She is married to Dale Coody, an evangelistic singer and
rancher. Their family includes Nina, a high school assistant principal; Jeff, an insurance agent
and former U.S. Navy pilot, and his wife, Julie; and granddaughters—Addie and Olivia; and
grandson Payne. Coody’s hobbies include reading and singing.
To contact Coody: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 439, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7398, or anncoody@okhouse.gov.

Marian Cooksey
■ Occupation—Realtor ■ Education—University of Central
Oklahoma ■ Party—Republican ■ District—39 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Majority
Whip, 2007; Deputy Majority Whip, 2009; Majority Caucus Secretary,
2009; Assistant Majority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Public Health & Social
Services, Vice Chair; Energy & Utility Regulation; Higher Education
& Career Tech; and Judiciary.
Cooksey was born on November 6, 1943, in Ada, Oklahoma. She attended the University of
Central Oklahoma. She has been employed in the Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor’s Office,
the oil and gas industry, and real estate. Cooksey won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 39 in 2004. She continues active participation in the Edmond
First Baptist Church, Edmond Chamber of Commerce, and Edmond Rotary Central. She
also serves as a second reader at Ida Freeman Elementary School in Edmond. She has one
child, Ronnie Anne. Cooksey’s hobbies include decorating, reading, and travel.
To contact Cooksey: 1105 Columbia Court, Edmond, OK 73003, or 405/330–3976, or
mariancooksey@okhouse.gov.

Doug Cox
■ Occupation—Physician ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS; Oklahoma University College of Medicine, MD ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—5 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member,
2005–present ■ Committee Membership— Appropriations &
Budget; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Health
& Social Services, Chair; Common Education; Joint Committee
on Appropriations & Budget; Public Health; Public Safety; and
Redistricting Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Cox was born on August 9, 1952, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s degree from
Oklahoma State University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma’s
College of Medicine. A physician at Grove General Hospital, Cox won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 5 in 2004. He continues active participation in the
American College of Emergency Physicians, Oklahoma Academy of Family Practice, and
 142  Oklahoma Almanac
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the Oklahoma State Medical Association. He married the former Drenda Butterfield. They
have three children—Matt, Scott, and Cassie. Cox’s hobbies include flying and water sports.
To contact Cox: 33471 S 595 Road, Grove, OK 74344, or 405/557–7415, or
dougcox@okhouse.gov.

David Dank
■ Occupation—Consulting ■ Education—Bishop McGuinness
High School; University of Oklahoma ■ Party—Republican ■
District—85 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–
present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation,
Chair; Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget; Insurance;
Long-term Care & Senior Services; Redistricting Central Oklahoma
Subcommittee, Chair; and Rules.
Dank was born on July 14, 1938, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the former publisher of
the Moore Monitor and the Oklahoma Conservative Review newspapers, and is a former
commentator and political analyst for KTOK, the Oklahoma News Network, and OETA
television. Dank served as executive vice president of the Oklahoma Retail Merchants
Association and was instrumental in passing the Oklahoma Consumer Credit Code and the
state photo drivers’ license law. He currently serves as president of Dank Consulting. He
is a member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge, Oklahoma County
Republican Party executive committee, and the National Rifle Association. He won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 85 in November 2006. He and his
wife, Odilia, are members of Christ the King Catholic Church. The Danks have one daughter,
Trina, son-in-law, Gale, and two grandchildren—Hannah and Daniel.
To contact Dank: 6705 Reed, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, or 405/557–7392, or
david.dank@okhouse.gov.

Lee Denney
■ Occupation—Veterinarian ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University, BS, DVM ■ Party—Republican ■ District—33
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–present;
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2007 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Education, Chair; Economic Development, Tourism & Financial
Services; Energy & Utility Regulation; and Higher Education &
Career Tech; Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget.
Denney was born on September 19, 1953, in Cushing, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor’s
degree in agricultural economics and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma
State University. She was employed as a veterinarian for twenty-five years at Veterinary
Medical Associates. Denney won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 33 in 2004. She continues active participation in the American Veterinary Medical
Association, Cushing Arts and Humanities Council, Cushing Lion’s Club, Daughter’s of the
American Revolution, First United Methodist Church of Cushing, Habitat for Humanity,
Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, and the Philanthropic Education Organization.
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She is married to Frank Denney. They have two children—Will and Kate. Denney’s hobbies
include reading and volunteer work.
To contact Denney: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd.,, Room 436, Oklahoma City, OK 73105,
405/557–7304, or leedenney@okhouse.gov.

David Derby
■ Occupation—Forensic Scientist ■ Education—University
of Central Oklahoma, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—74
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Public Health & Social Services; Government Modernization; and
Public Health, Chair.
Derby was born on May 30, 1976, in Saint Louis, Missouri. He attended
the University of Central Oklahoma, where he received a bachelor’s
degree in forensic science. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 74 in November 2006. He and his wife, Kim, have one son—Quinton.
To contact Derby: PO Box 2150, Owasso, OK 74055, or 405/557–7377, or
david.derby@okhouse.gov.

Dale DeWitt
■ Occupation—Educator/Farmer/Rancher ■ Education—Northern
Oklahoma College, AA; Oklahoma State University, BS ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—38 ■ Legislative Experience—2002–pres-
ent; Majority Whip, 2005; Majority Leader 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget; Joint Committee on
Appropriations & Budget; and Redistricting, Chair.
DeWitt was born on January 17, 1950, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He
received an associate’s degree from Northern Oklahoma College in
1970 and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Oklahoma State University in
1972. He is involved in the farming and ranching industries and has been employed as a hog
buyer for John Morrill and as an agricultural teacher in the Braman Public School System.
DeWitt won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 38 on August
14, 2001. He has served as the majority whip, and currently serves as majority leader. He
continues active participation in the Farm Bureau, Kay County Cattleman’s Association,
NOC Alumni Association, NOC Foundation, OSU Alumni Association, OSU Foundation,
Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, Oklahoma Retired Teacher’s Association, Oklahoma
Sirloin Club, and the ULC Advisory Board. DeWitt married the former Carol Grell. They
have two children—Garrett and Camille, and four grandchildren.
To contact DeWitt: 14235 W Stateline Road, Braman, OK 74632, or 580/385–2432, or
daledewitt@okhouse.gov.
 144  Oklahoma Almanac
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Joe Dorman
■ Occupation—Independent Researcher/Consultant ■ Education—
Oklahoma State University, BA ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—65
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003–present;
Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2007; Minority Caucus Vice Chair,
2011 ■ Committee Membership— Appropriations & Budget;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety; Joint
Committee on Appropriations & Budget; Insurance; and Rules.
Dorman was born on September 18, 1970, in Burbank, California. He
has lived in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, since moving with his family to the small community
in 1975. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State University.
He has worked as a special projects coordinator as well as a Page Mock Legislature instructor
for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Dorman won election to the Oklahoma House
of Representatives from District 65 in 2002. He currently serves as the assistant minority floor
leader. He continues active participation in the American Institute of Parliamentarians, Apache
Rattlesnake Association, Capitol City Society, Central Oklahoma Parrothead Association,
Chickasha Elks Lodge, Cyril School Booster Club, Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, National
Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, OSU Alumni Association, and the Rush
Springs Lions Club. He was named to the Grady County 4–H Hall of Fame in 1988 and the
Grady County 4–H Alumni of the Year in 2003
To contact Dorman,: PO Box 559, Rush Springs, OK 73082, or 580/476–2626, or
joedorman@okhouse.gov.

John Enns
■ Occupation—Farmer/Rancher ■ Education—Tabor College, BA ■
Party—Republican ■ District—41 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2007–present ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture,
Wildlife,& Environment; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on
Natural Resources & Regulatory Services; Public Health, Chair; and
Veterans & Military Affairs.
Enns was born on January 30, 1967, in Enid, Oklahoma. He received a
bachelor’s degree in natural sciences: biology and chemistry from Tabor
College in 1989. He taught microbiology at Northern Oklahoma College for three years. Enns
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 41 in November 2006.
He attends church at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Enid. He is an active member
of the Civil Air Patrol and the National Rifle Association. He married the former Charla Peck.
To contact Enns: 1741 Pawhuska, Enid, OK 73703, or 405/557–7321, or
john.enns@okhouse.gov.

Rusty Farley
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Party—Republican ■ District—1
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife,& Environment; Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory
Services; Transportation; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
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Farley was born on September 25, 1953. He won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 1 on November 2, 2010
To contact Farley: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 325, or 405/557–7363, or
rusty.farley@okhouse.gov.

George Faught
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—Muskogee High
School; Bryan Institute ■ Party—Republican ■ District—14 ■
Legislative Experience—2007–present; Assistant Majority Floor
Leader, 2009–present ■ Committee Membership—Administrative
Rules & Government Oversight, Chair; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation; Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services; Transportation; and
Redistricting Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Faught was born on July 14, 1962, in Brownfield, Texas. His family relocated to Muskogee,
Oklahoma, when he was six months old. He graduated from Muskogee High School in 1980,
and graduated from Bryan Institute in 1987. He holds an Industry Training and Certification
through IICRC. Faught owns Clean Pro, a carpet cleaning company specializing in fire and
water damage restoration. He is a member of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce, Indian
Nations Beekeepers Association, Optimist International, and the Oklahoma National Rifle
Association. He married the former Becky Tinnin, and they have three children—Tyler,
Jamison, and Savannah.
To contact Faught: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 301A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7310, or george.faught@okhouse.gov.

William Fourkiller
■ Occupation—Registered Nurse/Elementary Teacher ■
Education—Northeastern State University, BS; University of
Oklahoma Health Science Center Tulsa, BS ■ Party—Democrat
■ District—86 ■ Legislative Experience—2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Administrative Rules & Government Oversight;
Appropriations & Budge Subcommittee on Health & Social Services;
and Long-term Care & Senior Services.
Fourkiller was born on February 26, 1972, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, and a bachelor’s degree
from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Tulsa. Fourkiller was employed
as an elementary teacher for twelve years in Adair County, teaching in three different
schools: Maryetta Elementary, Zion Elementary, and Stilwell Public Schools. Fourkiller
returned to nursing school in May 2007, and graduated in August 2008. He worked at W.W.
Hastings Hospital in the operating room full time until December 2010. He won election to
the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 86 on November 2, 2010. Fourkiller
is a member of Colcord, Stilwell, and Westville chambers of commerce, the National Rifle
Association, and Oklahoma Nurses Association. He and his wife, Kerrie, have one son—Toss
Mabrey. Fourkiller is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. His hobbies include spending time with
his family, exercising, watching his son participate in sports and other school activities, and
officiating Oklahoma high school football. He is an active member of Antioch Baptist Church.
 146  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
To contact Fourkiller: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 510B, or 405/557–7394, or
will.fourkiller@okhouse.gov.

Larry Glenn
■ Occupation—Equipment Repair ■ Education—Northeastern
Oklahoma A&M ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—7 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority
Floor Leader, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture,
Wildlife, and Environment; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on General Government & Transportation; General Government;
and Rules.
Glenn was born on July 7, 1947, in Miami, Oklahoma. He attended
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, and served in the U.S. Air Force. A small business
owner, Glenn won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 7 in 2004.
He continues active membership in the American Legion, National Rifle Association, and
Salvation Army. Glenn married the former Janet Conner. They have four children—Scott,
Keith, Courtney, and Ben. Glenn’s hobbies include fishing, genealogy, hunting, and tinkering.
To contact Glenn: 1916 H NW, Miami, OK 74354, or 918/540–1355, or
larryglenn@okhouse.gov.

Randy Grau
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Pepperdine University;
University of Oklahoma College of Law ■ Party—Republican ■
District—81 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Judiciary; Judiciary; Public Health; and Transportation.
Grau won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 81 on November 2, 2010. He grew up in the district he now serves.
He is an award-winning attorney, who frequently speaks regarding ethics
and professionalism. Grau served as deputy county commissioner for Oklahoma County,
District 3, from 2007 to 2010. As deputy county commissioner he assisted in the administra-
tion of a county with over 700,000 residents. The Oklahoma Bar Association selected Grau
in 2007 to represent Oklahoma as its representative to the Czech Republic to encourage
citizen participation in government. In 2009 Grau climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
to raise money for African school children. He is married to Dr. Renee Hamel Grau, and
they are active members of Quail Springs Church of Christ. Grau volunteers monthly with
Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, and Epworth Villa Retirement Community.
To contact Grau: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 324, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7360, or randy.grau@okhouse.gov.
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Elise Hall
■ Occupation—Marketing Director ■ Education—University of
Central Oklahoma ■ Party—Republican ■ District—100 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human Services;
General Government; Higher Education & Career Tech; and
Transportation.
Hall was born on March 26, 1989, and attended the University of Central
Oklahoma. She is employed as a marketing director. Hall won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 100 on November 2, 2010
To contact Hall: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 321, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7403, or elise.hall@okhouse.gov.

Rebecca Hamilton
■ Occupation—Writer ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—89 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003–present; Assistant
Minority Floor Leader, 2007 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Health & Social
Services; Higher Education & Career Tech; and Rules.
Hamilton was born on January 8, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
She is a professional writer. Hamilton won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 89 in 2003. She is married to
Rodney Hargrave. They have two children.
To contact Hamilton: 1229 SW 35 Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73109, or 405/635–1687, or
rebeccahamilton@okhouse.gov.

Tommy Hardin
■ Occupation—Air Traffic Controller, Retired ■ Party—Republican
■ District—49 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety; Public
Safety; and Transportation.
Hardin was born on January 6, 1962, and is a retired air traffic control-
ler. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 49 on November 2, 2010
To contact Hardin: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 323, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7383, or tommy.hardin@okhouse.gov.
 148  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Jeffrey W. Hickman
■ Occupation—Farming/Ranching ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—58 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Deputy Majority Whip,
2007; Speaker Pro Tempore, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Speaker Pro Tempore serves as ex-offico member of all committees;
Redistricting West/Northwest Oklahoma Subcommittee, Chair.
Hickman was born on November 28, 1973, in Alva, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of
Oklahoma. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 58 in
2004. Hickman had been involved in his family’s farming operation in Alfalfa and Woods
counties all of his life, and is the fifth generation to own and farm land in District 58. Prior
to his election, he worked in the private sector as vice president of Omni Media Group in
Woodward, Oklahoma, and is a frequent news and sports commentator on K101 Radio in
Woodward. From 1997 to 2003 he served at the University of Oklahoma as assistant to the
athletic director, special projects coordinator, and university press secretary. Hickman and
his wife, Jana, have three children—Taylor, Ashley, and Austin. He serves on the boards of 101
Classic Bowl Foundation, Fairview First United Methodist Church, and Oklahoma Summer
Arts Institute. He is a member of the Woodward Rotary Club and Cherokee Lions Club.
To contact Hickman: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 411, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, or
405/557–7339, or jwhickman@okhouse.gov.

Wes Hilliard
■ Occupation—Education ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BA; East Central University, MEd ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—22
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant
Minority Floor Leader, 2004–2008, and 2011; Deputy Minority
Floor Leader, 2009; ■ Committee Membership—Government
Modernization, Vice Chair; Energy & Utility Regulation; Public
Health; and Redistricting Southern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Hilliard was born on October 12, 1973, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State University and a
master’s degree in education from East Central University. Hilliard was employed as an
adult education coordinator at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center. He won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 22 in 2004. He continues active
participation in the Davis, Stratford, and Sulphur chambers of commerce, Kiwanis, and
Rotary. Hillard married the former Melissa Cottrell. They have one son—Weston. His hob-
bies include camping, community service, and fishing.
To contact Hilliard: PO Box 886, Sulphur, OK 73086, or 580/622–4504, or
weshilliard@okhouse.gov.
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Corey Holland
■ Occupation—Teacher ■ Education—Oklahoma Baptist University,
BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—51 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2009; Assistant Majority Floor Whip, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Education, Vice Chair; Common Education; Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services; and Public Health.
Holland was born on January 1, 1970, in Duncan, Oklahoma. He attended
Marlow Public Schools, and received a bachelor’s degree in education
from Oklahoma Baptist University. Holland has taught in the Marlow School District for
fourteen years, and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2002. He was a “huddle leader” for
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as head track and field coach. He is an active
member of the First Baptist Church of Marlow, where he serves as a youth leader and deacon.
Holland married the former Kim Walker. They have two sons—Chisholm and Walker. His
interests include collecting movies, running, and taking foreign mission trips.
To contact Holland: 922 South 7 ST, Marlow, OK 73055, or 580/658–3845, or
corey.holland@okhouse.gov.

Chuck Hoskin
■ Occupation—Educator ■ Education—Northeastern Oklahoma
A&M College, AA; Northeastern State University, BA, MEd ■ Party—
Democrat ■ District—6 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member,
2007–present; Minority Caucus Chair, 2009; Minority Floor Leader,
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget, Vice
Chair; General Government; Higher Education & Career Tech;
Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget; Transportation; and
Redistricting Southern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Hoskin was born on January 29, 1952, in Claremore, Oklahoma, and has been a life long resi-
dent of District 6. He graduated from Vinita High School in 1970, and enlisted in the United
States Navy. Hoskin was stationed aboard the USS Independence, and upon his honorable
discharge became a journeyman ironworker. He received an associate of arts degree from
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from
Northeastern State University. He served as an American History and government teacher
in the Vinita Public School system. He later received his master’s degree in education from
NSU. He worked as an administrator for Locust Grove Public Schools. Hoskin has been an
elected member and deputy speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, representing
Craig and Nowata counties. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 6 in November 2006. He is married to the former Stephanie Reichert, and they
have three children—Amy, Charles Jr., and Amelia.
To contact Hoskin: PO Box 941, Vinita, OK 74301, or 918/256–3229, or
chuck.hoskin@okhouse.gov.
 150  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Scott Inman
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BA,
JD ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—94 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2007–present; Minority Leader, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Energy & Utility Regulation; Judiciary; Veterans &
Military Affairs; and Restricting Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Inman was born on October 2, 1978 in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Raised
in Del City, Oklahoma, Inman graduated first in his class from Del
City High School in 1997. He then graduated summa cum laude in
2001 from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a
Spanish minor. In 2004, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma
School of Law. He practiced law in downtown Oklahoma City until he won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 94 in November 2006. Upon his election,
Inman became the first graduate of Del City High School to ever represent the community at
the state capitol. He continues active participation in the community as president of the Del
City Rotary; a member of the Del City Chamber of Commerce; an executive board member
of the Oklahoma Parkinson Foundation; and an executive board member of the Oklahoma
Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial Program. Inman married the former Dessa Baker.
They have one child—Ella Grace, born in July 2008
To contact Inman: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 548, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7370, or scott.inman@okhouse.gov.

Mike Jackson
■ Occupation—Legislator ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—40 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Majority Floor Leader,
2006–present ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife, and
Environment; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Revenue
& Taxation; Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services;
Energy & Utility Regulation, Vice Chair; and Redistricting West/
Northwest Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Jackson was born on March 6, 1978, in Kiowa, Kansas. He received a degree in agricultural
communications and economics from Oklahoma State University. He has been employed
at TPI Staffing as marketing manager. In addition, he worked for the Oklahoma Department
of Agriculture and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe. He won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 40 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Enid
Chamber Ambassadors, Enid Rotary, and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Jackson married
the former Caralyn Pritchett, who is a teacher at Oklahoma Bible Academy. His hobbies
include basketball, chess, and golf.
To contact Jackson: 2906 Cellar Door Lane, Enid, OK 73703, or 405/557–7317, or
mikejackson@okhouse.gov.
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Dennis Johnson
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—Weber State
University, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—50 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant Majority Floor
Leader, 2009–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation;
Energy & Utility Regulation; General Government, Chair; and Rules.
Johnson was born in July 1953 in Long Beach, California. He received a
bachelor’s degree in marketing from Weber State University in Ogden,
Utah. Following his college graduation, he moved to Duncan, Oklahoma, and co-founded
A-1 Appliance. He served on the Duncan City Council from 1996 to 1999, and as mayor of
Duncan from 1999 to 2003. Johnson won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 50 in November 2006. He and his wife, Susan, have three children—Bryan,
Caroline, and Laura.
To contact Johnson: 3512 Spencer Road, Duncan, OK 73553, or 580/255–5903, or
dennis.johnson@okhouse.gov.

Fred Jordan
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BA; University of Iowa, JD ■ Party—Republican ■ District—69 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant
Majority Whip 2007, 2011; Deputy Majority Whip, 2009–2010 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Judiciary; Common Education; Judiciary, Chair; and Public
Safety.
Jordan was born on January 3, 1974, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a graduate
of Dewey High School in Dewey, Oklahoma, where he was an active member of the National
Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) organization. As an FFA member, Jordan was active in
livestock shows and public speaking. He received the state and American FFA degrees. He
is also an Eagle Scout. Jordan received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University,
where he was named “Outstanding Male Graduate” in 1996. He received a law degree from
Iowa College of Law in 1999. Following law school he went on active duty and served as a
captain and judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps. He had the opportunity to
deploy as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. He has received the Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Services Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Jordan has worked
in the real estate industry in residential construction and development. He is currently a
practicing attorney in Tulsa. Jordan won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 69 in November 2006. He and his wife, Kara, reside in Jenks, Oklahoma.
To contact Jordan: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 333, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7331, or fred.jordan@okhouse.gov.
 152  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Charlie Joyner
■ Occupation—Fire Chief, Retired/Businessman, Retired ■
Education—Midwest City High School; Oklahoma State University/
OKC; National Fire Academy ■ Party—Republican ■ District—95 ■
Legislative Experience—Midwest City Council; Midwest City Vice
Mayor; House Member, 2007–present ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Judiciary; General
Government; Public Safety; and Transportation, Vice Chair.
Joyner was born on July 22, 1940, in Rose Hill, North Carolina. He
attended Midwest City High School, Oklahoma State University/OKC, and the National Fire
Academy. He served on the Midwest City Fire Department for twenty-two years, retiring as
fire chief. He served as the operations manager for Tony Caesar’s Flower & Greenhouses,
his wife’s family-owned business until the business was sold in 1999. He has served on the
Midwest City Chamber Community Economic Development Committee, as chair of the
Midwest City Comprehensive Planning Committee, and on the Midwest City Credit Union
Board of Directors and the Midwest City Tree Board. Joyner won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 95 in November 2006. He served as president of the
Midwest City Rotary Club from 2006–2007. He is a member of the Midwest City Chamber of
Commerce and the Mid-Del 100 Club. He and his wife, Gwen, have four children and seven
grandchildren. His hobbies include golfing and traveling.
To contact Joyner: 3500 Bella Vista Drive, Midwest City , OK 73110, or 405/557–7314, or
charlie.joyner@okhouse.gov.

Sally Kern
■ Occupation—Education ■ Education—University of Texas at
Arlington, BA; East Texas State University ■ Party—Republican
■ District—84 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–
present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Education; Common Education; Human Services;
and Long-term Care & Senior Services, Chair.
Kern was born on November 27, 1946, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She
received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas
at Arlington in 1971. She also obtained teacher certification in social studies with emphasis
on government from East Texas State University in 1986. Kern won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 84 in 2004. She continues active participation in the
American Legislative Exchange Council, Eagle Forum, Frontier Country Republican Women,
Heart and Hand Ministries, Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Olivet Baptist Church, and
Tri-City Republican Women’s Club. She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist
Church. They have two sons—Jesse and Nathan, and one daughter-in-law, Amie. She also
has two grandsons—Luke and Grant. Kern’s hobbies include golf, playing games, spending
time with family and friends, and reading.
To contact Kern: 2713 Sterling Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73127, 405/557–7348, or
sallykern@okhouse.gov.
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Charles Key
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—Western Heights
High School; South Oklahoma City Community College; Oklahoma
City University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—90 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 1986–1998; 2007–present; Assistant
Majority Floor Leader, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight; Appropriations &
Budget Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation;
Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services; and
Insurance, Chair.
Key was born on April 18,1954, in Lubbock, Texas, and moved to Oklahoma City in 1961.
He graduated from Western Heights High School, and attended South Oklahoma City
Community College and Oklahoma City University. He is owner of Key Financial Services
and is a registered securities representative with Legend Equities Corporation. He served in
the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 90 from 1986–1998, serving as Minority
Whip. Key is a member of the Northwest and Oklahoma City chambers of commerce. He
served as former executive director of the Fully Informed Jury Association. His wife, Janice,
is a former school teacher. He has four children—Chelsea, Jacob, Joshua, and Kyan, and one
granddaughter—Stevie. He and his family attend the Northwest Church of Christ. In 2006
the family went on a medical missions trip to Guyana, South America. He also has partici-
pated in mission efforts in India and Australia. Key won election to the Oklahoma House
of Representatives from District 90 in November 2006. His hobbies include attending his
children’s basketball and soccer games.
To contact Key: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 405, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7354, or charles.key@okhouse.gov.

Dan Kirby
■ Occupation—State Legislator/Real Estate Associate ■ Education—
Northeastern State University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—75
■ Legislative Experience—House Member 2009 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Natural
Resources & Regulatory Services; Energy & Utility Regulation;
Insurance, Vice Chair; and Judiciary.
Kirby attended Northeastern State University. He won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 75 in November 2008
To contact Kirby: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 334, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7356, or dan.kirby@okhouse.gov.

Steve Kouplen
■ Occupation—Rancher ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University, BA, MA ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—24 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member 2009; Assistant Minority Floor
Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife &
Environment; Energy & Utility Regulation; Higher Education &
Career Tech, Vice Chair; and Transportation.
 154  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Kouplen is a lifelong resident of District 24. He attended Oklahoma State University, where
he received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in agricultural education. He is
employed as a rancher. He has served as past president, and is now on the board of direc-
tors, of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. He is currently a member of the American Farmers and
Ranchers, American Hereford Association, Beggs School District, Beggs Masonic Lodge,
East Central Electric Cooperative, National Rifle Association, Oklahoma Beef Industry,
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Okmulgee County Fair, and Okmulgee County Rural
Water District #6. Kouplen won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 24 in November 2008
To contact Kouplen: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 546, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7306, or steve.kouplen@okhouse.gov.

Guy Liebmann
■ Occupation—Investor ■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BA ■
Party—Republican ■ District—82 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2005–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation,
Chair; Appropriations & Budget; General Government; Joint
Committee on Appropriations & Budget; Transportation; and Rules.
Liebmann was born on April 27, 1936, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Liebmann
served in the United States Marine Corps, and served as president of Liebmann Ice Company
for twenty-two years. He also served on the Oklahoma City Council for ten years. He is
currently employed as an investor. Liebmann won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 82 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Oklahoma
City Boat Club, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary. Liebmann married the
former Judy Evans. They have three children—Barbie, Jill, and Julie. His hobbies include
amateur radio, fishing, hunting, and sailing.
To contact Liebmann: 12800 Plum Hollow Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73142, or
405/748–4848, or guyliebmann@okhouse.gov.

James Lockhart
■ Occupation—Rancher/Farmer/Biologist ■ Education—Carl Albert
State College, AS; University of Phoenix, BS ■ Party—Democrat
■ District—3 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment;
Long-term Care & Senior Services; and Transportation.
Lockhart resides in Heavener, where he was raised. He received an
associate’s degree in biology and zoology from Carl Albert State College,
and a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University
of Phoenix. He holds an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate, and is certified to teach business
and economics. His family operates a cow and calf operation. He and his wife, Carrie, have
two children—Hope, age ten, and Jakob, age three. Lockhart has worked on several scientific
research projects including alternative energy. He won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 3 on November 2, 2010. He is a member of the First Baptist
Church of Heavener, LeFlore County Cattlemen’s Association, Masonic Lodge, and Poteau
 Legislative Branch  155

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Chamber of Commerce. He is a card holder in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
He also served as a team leader at the World Trade Center Recovery Effort in 2001 and 2002
To contact Lockhart: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 510B, or 405/557–7413, or
james.lockhart@okhouse.gov.

Scott Martin
■ Occupation—Banking ■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BS ■
Party—Republican ■ District—46 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2007–present; Assistant Majority Whip, 2007 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget, Vice Chair; General
Government; Higher Education & Career Tech; Joint Committee
on Appropriations & Budget; Transportation; and Redistricting
Southern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Martin was born on December 28, 1971, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma in 1995. Martin
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 46 in November
2006. From 1995 to 1999, Martin worked for the City of Noble as projects director and public
works director. From 1999 to 2006, he worked for the City of Norman as the assistant to the
city manager. He is currently employed as a bank officer. He continues active participation
in the Boy Scouts of America, National Rifle Association, Newcastle, Noble, and Norman
chambers of commerce, Norman Business Association, OU Alumni Association, and United
Way. Scott is an Eagle Scout, served as student body president at OU from 1994 to 1995, and
is a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He is married to the former Angela Berglan.
They have two sons—Luke and Blake. They attend Bethel Baptist Church in Norman, where
he serves as a deacon and teaches Sunday school.
To contact Martin: 2916 Stonebridge Court, Norman, OK 73071, or 405/701–8811, or
scott.martin@okhouse.gov.

Steve Martin
■ Occupation—Realtor ■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BS ■
Party—Republican ■ District—10 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2005–present; Assistant Majority Whip, 2007, 2011; Deputy
Majority Whip, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation; Energy & Utility
Regulation; General Government; and Public Safety, Vice Chair.
Martin was born on May 19, 1948, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Oklahoma.
Martin has been employed as a cattle rancher, oil producer, and teacher. He is currently
employed as a realtor. Martin won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 10 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Bartlesville and Nowata chambers
of commerce, Dewey Civic Association, Rotary, and Theater Bartlesville. Martin married
the former Barbara Brakebill. They have a son, Carl. Martin’s hobbies include community
theater, fishing, and snow skiing.
To contact Martin: 485 Hudson Lake Road, Bartlesville, OK 74003, or 918/335–7179, or
stevemartin@okhouse.gov.
 156  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Al McAffrey
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—88
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present;
Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight; Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services; Public Health; and
Public Safety.
McAffrey was sworn into the Oklahoma House of Representatives
on the State’s birthday, November 16, 2006. A life-long Democrat, he
campaigned on issues that touch the lives of his highly diverse inner-city district in metro-
politan Oklahoma City where he has lived, worked, and raised children for many years. Al
pledged to work for better access to affordable health care, improvements for education in
our public schools, and a more compassionate state approach to care for senior citizens.
He also expressed a keen interest in supporting and protecting his district’s public safety,
economic development, public transportation, and its thriving arts community. Above all,
he promised honesty, fairness, and hard work. McAffrey’s committee assignments in the
state legislature reflect those campaign issues and concerns. McAffrey was reared in Sulphur,
Oklahoma, the son of a Baptist minister. Public service and hard work are in his blood. He
served in the United States Navy and later as an Oklahoma City police officer. He owned
and operated several successful small businesses while also working as a respected and
compassionate funeral director. He is a past member of the vestry at Saint Paul’s Episcopal
Cathedral and is active in his Mesta Park Neighborhood Association. He’s a voting member
of the Choctaw Tribe. McAffrey is the father of three daughters and seven grandchildren, yet
he still makes time to be an active supporter of AIDS charities and numerous civic, business,
and cultural organizations.
To contact McAffrey: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 544, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7396 or al.mcaffrey@okhouse.gov.

Mark McCullough
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BA, MEd ■ Party—Republican ■ District—30
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present ■
Committee Membership—Administrative Rules & Government
Oversight; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Judiciary,
Vice Chair; Government Modernization; and Judiciary
McCullough was born on August 7, 1967, in Sapulpa Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in
technology education from Oklahoma State University. He also received a Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Tulsa. He has served in the United State Peace Corps as a
high school teacher in Botswana, Africa. He also has served as assistant attorney general
for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in the Special Victims Unit of the Indianapolis
Prosecutor’s Office. He has also worked in medical sales. McCullough won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 30 in November 2006. He and his wife,
Charlotte, have two sons—Clayton and Everett. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, and
spending time with his family.
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To contact McCullough: 4825 Dogwood Place, Sapulpa, OK 74066, or 405–557–7414, or
mark.mccullough@okhouse.gov.

Jeannie McDaniel
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—Tulsa Community
College, AA; University of Oklahoma, BLS ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—78 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–pres-
ent; Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2009–present ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on
Education; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human
Services; Common Education; and Public Health.
Born on December 10, 1948, McDaniel received an associate’s degree
from Tulsa Community College in 2002 and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from
the University of Oklahoma in 2004. She has been employed as executive director of the
Metropolitan Tulsa Citizens Crime Commission, as coordinator of neighborhoods for the
Tulsa Mayor’s Office, and with the City of Tulsa. McDaniel won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 78 in 2004. She continues active participation in
Habitat for Humanity, League of Women Voters, YMCA Tulsa Advisory Board, Tulsa First
United Methodist Church, and Will Rogers Rotary Club. She married Joe L. McDaniel. They
have five grown children and seven grandchildren. McDaniel’s hobbies include jogging
and volunteer work.
To contact McDaniel: 1416 S Marion Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74112, or 918/834–3259, or
jeanniemcdaniel@okhouse.gov.

Randy McDaniel
■ Occupation—Financial Advisor/Stockbroker ■ Education—
University of Oklahoma, BA; Georgetown University, Institute
of Business & Government Affairs; Cambridge University MPhil
■ Party—Republican ■ District—83 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2007–present; Deputy Majority Whip, 2009–2010;
Assistant Majority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services, Chair; Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation;
Rules; Veterans & Military Affairs; and Redistricting Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
McDaniel is a fourth-generation Oklahoman. He received a bachelor’s degree in econom-
ics from the University of Oklahoma, where he was selected the Outstanding Senior Man,
and served as the student body president. He also graduated from the Institute of Business
and Government Affairs at Georgetown University, and received a master’s degree in land
economy from Cambridge University in England. McDaniel is a First Vice President of
Investments at Wells Fargo and previously was a trust officer and investment officer at City
Bank & Trust. He also served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a field artillery officer
and an engineer officer from 1988–1999. McDaniel won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 83 in 2006. He is married to the former Julie Elizabeth Wells.
They have two children—Grace and John. McDaniel has served on numerous community
boards. He continues active participation in the Crossings Community Church, Rotary Club
 158  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
29, Southern Legislative Conference, and American Legislative Exchange Council. His hob-
bies include golf and other outdoor sports.
To contact McDaniel: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 302B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7409, or randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.gov.

Skye McNiel
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—29 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant Majority
Whip, 2007; Deputy Majority Whip, 2009; Majority Whip, 2011 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services; Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services; Energy & Utility
Regulation; and Human Services.
McNiel was born on July 11, 1978, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received a bachelor’s degree
in agriculture communications and animal science from Oklahoma State University. She
works in her family owned and operated livestock auction, and owns a small gift shop in
Bristow. McNiel won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 29 in
November 2006. She currently serves as majority whip. She and her husband, Pecos, have
two daughters—Paike Marie and Jamison. She is the past president of the Bristow Chamber
of Commerce and the Bristow Education Foundation.
To contact McNiel: 36970 W HWY 16, Bristow, OK 74010, or 918/645–1289, or
skye.mcniel@okhouse.gov.

Jerry McPeak
■ Occupation—Cattleman/Education ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BS; Northeastern State University, MS ■ Party—
Democrat ■ District—13 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority Floor Leader, 2007;
Deputy Minority Floor Leader, 2009; Minority Caucus Chair, 2011
■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget; Energy &
Utility Regulation; Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget;
and Transportation.
McPeak was born on October 21, 1946, in Checotah, Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s
degree from Oklahoma State University, and a master’s degree from Northeastern State
University. McPeak has been employed in the cattle industry in a variety of areas including
a livestock feed business and a packing house and feed yard. He also has been employed at
Connors State College as dean of men, a livestock judging coach, and psychology instructor.
McPeak won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 13 in 2005.
He continues active participation in Connors State College Agriculture Alumni, Farm House
Fraternity, Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, Little League Coaches Association,
Muskogee County NAACP, National Collegiate Livestock Judging Coaches, Oklahoma Farm
Bureau, and the Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Association. McPeak and his wife, Veda,
have four children—Jeff, Jason, Jinger, and Jori. His hobbies include serving as a volunteer
4–H leader, Future Farmers of America, motivational speaking, and youth work including
coaching for little league baseball, basketball, and softball.
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To contact McPeak: PO Box 932, Warner, OK 74469, or 405/557–7302, or
jerrymcpeak@okhouse.gov.

Lewis Moore
■ Occupation—Insurance ■ Education—New Mexico Military
Institute, AS; University of Arkansas, BA ■ Party—Republican ■
District—96 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2009 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Public Health & Social Services; Government Modernization;
Higher Education & Career Tech; and Veterans & Military Affairs,
Vice Chair.
Moore was born on December 22, 1958, in Carbondale, Illinois. He
received an associate’s degree from New Mexico Military Institute, and a bachelor’s degree
from the University of Arkansas. He served in the Arkansas National Guard, U.S. Army, and
the U.S. Army Reserve from 1980 to 1994. He served on the Oklahoma City and Edmond Trails
committees. He has served on the Oklahoma City Association of Health Underwriters, and
on the Philmont Staff Association Membership Committee. He is a member of the National
Rifle Association as well as the Boy Scouts of America, where he serves as an assistant scout
master. He and his wife, Patti, have three children—Micah, Nathan, and Jackson. Moore’s
hobbies include scouting, coaching his kids’ teams, bicycling, and backpacking.
To contact Moore: PO Box 250, Arcadia, OK 73007, or 405/396–9023, or
lewis.moore@okhouse.gov.

Danny Morgan
■ Occupation—President, Morgan Well Service, Inc. ■ Education—
Central State University, BBA ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—32 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003–present; Minority
Caucus Chairman, 2004–2006; Minority Leader, 2007–2010 ■
Committee Membership—Economic Development, Tourism &
Financial Services; Energy & Utility Regulation; and Insurance.
Morgan was born on February 24, 1959, in Prague, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central
State University in 1981. He is president of Morgan Well Service Inc. Morgan has been active
on the local and state level including service to the Association of Energy Service Companies,
Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, and Marginal Well Commission Advisory
Committee. He also served as mayor of Prague. Morgan won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 32 in 2002. Morgan was named “Legislator of the
Year” by both the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma as well as the Oklahoma
Independent Petroleum Association. The Enid Oilmen’s Association also selected him as
“Energy Advocate of the Year.” He continues active participation in the Chandler, Davenport,
Prague, and Stroud chambers of commerce, Oklahoma Academy, and the Prague Lions Club.
Morgan married the former Debbie Hicks. They have two children—Zachary and Danielle.
To contact Morgan: NBU 4706, Prague, OK 74864, or 405/557–7368, or
dannymorgan@okhouse.gov.
 160  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Richard Morrissette
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—University of New
Hampshire, BA; University of Tulsa, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—92 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–
present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Judiciary; Economic Development, Tourism &
Financial Services; Government Modernization; and Judiciary.
Morrissette was born on April 28, 1956, in Rochester, New Hampshire.
He received bachelor degrees in both economics and political science
from the University of New Hampshire and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa.
Morrissette has been employed as an Oklahoma Senate staff member and in the Western
Oklahoma Public Defender’s Office. Currently a practicing attorney, Morrissette won elec-
tion to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 92 in 2004. He continues active
participation in the Capital Hill Lions Club, Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City
YMCA, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, South Oklahoma City Rotary Club, and
the South Oklahoma City Democratic Women’s Club. Morrissette has a daughter, Danielle.
His hobbies include collecting baseball cards, watching movies, swimming, and reading.
To contact Morrissette: 6609 S Harvey Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73139, or
405/557–7404, or richardmorrissette@okhouse.gov.

Glen Mulready
■ Occupation—Insurance Broker/Consultant ■ Education—
Bridgewater State College ■ Party—Republican ■ District—68
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public
Health & Social Services; Economic Development, Tourism &
Financial Services; Insurance; and Rules.
Mulready was born on November 21, 1960, and is an insurance broker
and consultant. He attended Bridgewater State College. Mulready won
election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 68 on November 2, 2010
To contact Mulready: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 338, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7340, or glen.mulready@okhouse.gov.

Jason Murphey
■ Occupation—Small Business Owner ■ Education—Charter Oak
State College, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—31 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on General
Government & Transportation; Government Modernization, Chair;
Human Services; and Transportation.
Murphey is a third generation, lifelong resident of Logan County. At
the age of 19, he started his own business, G&C Security Inc., where
he provided security services to the Oklahoma City area. In 2001 Murphey was elected to
the Guthrie City Council, where he won approval for placing government proceedings on
television and the Internet, and lead the successful effort to defeat property and sales tax
 Legislative Branch  161

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increase proposals. Murphey won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 31 in 2006. In 2008, he was named chairman of the Government Modernization
Committee, becoming the first House District 31 representative to chair a standing House
committee. In this capacity, Murphey has authored numerous legislative proposals designed
to enhance transparency, cut state spending, and apply best technology practices to state
governance processes. He holds the designation of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) from
Toastmasters International. He received a bachelor’s degree with national honors from
Charter Oak State College. He and his wife, Raleah, have two children—Jarod and Jarel.
They attend the Church of God Outreach.
To contact Murphey: 1521 Olison Turn Trail, Guthrie, OK 73044, or 405/557–7350, or
jason.murphey@okhouse.gov.

Jason Nelson
■ Occupation—Public Relations Consultant ■ Education—
Oklahoma State University; University of Central Oklahoma ■
Party—Republican ■ District—87 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2009 ■ Legislative Committees—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Human Services, Vice Chair; Common Education;
and Human Services.
Nelson attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Central
Oklahoma. He is employed as a public relations consultant. Nelson
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 87 in November 2008
To contact Nelson: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 301, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7335, or jason.nelson@okhouse.gov.

Tom Newell
■ Occupation—Pastor ■ Education—Mid-America Christian
University, BA; Liberty University, MBA ■ Party—Republican ■
District—28 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■
Legislative Committees—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation;
Higher Education & Career Tech; Long-term Care & Senior Services;
and Redistricting Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Newell was born on December 4, 1968, in Bristow, Oklahoma. He grew
up on a small ranch, and as a youth, was a state champion bull rider and state champion
extemporaneous speaker in the Future Farmers of America. He received a bachelor’s degree
from Mid-American Christian University in Bible and pastorial ministry in Oklahoma City,
and has pastored churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. He also received a
master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
He is married to the former Holly Wilson, and they have three sons—Ethan, Andrew, and
Levi. In 2005 they started a church in Seminole, Oklahoma. He has also taught business and
economics classes at Seminole State College, and he is a member of the board of directors for
the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. Newell is a member of the American Quarter Horse
Association. He currently serves as president of the Oklahoma Assembly of the Church
of God, and as the vice chair of the Business and Leadership Resource Committee of the
General Assembly of the Church of God in North American.
 162  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
To contact Newell: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 328B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7372, or tom.newell@okhouse.gov.

Jadine Nollan
■ Occupation—Executive Director ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—66 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education; Common
Education; Human Services; Public Health; and Redistricting North/
Northeast Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Nollan was born on September 29, 1958. She attended Oklahoma
State University. Nollan won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 66 on November 2, 2010
To contact Nollan: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 320, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7390, or jadine.nollan@okhouse.gov.

Charles Ortega
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—General ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—52 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife
& Tourism; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Natural
Resources & Regulatory Services; Economic Development, Tourism
& Financial Services, Vice Chair; and Energy & Utility Regulation.
Ortega was born on September 23, 1955, in Fort Worth, Texas. He
attended public schools in Altus, Oklahoma, and San Antonio, Texas.
Ortega has been a business owner in Altus, for eighteen years. He is an active member of
Altus First Baptist Church, where he works with the Spanish Mission and the men’s ministry.
He is also an active member of the local Rotary. Ortega won election to the Oklahoma House
of Representatives from District 52 in November 2008. He has been married to his wife,
Margaret, for twenty-seven years. They have two sons, and one daughter; two daughters-in-
law; three grandchildren; and one more grandchild on the way. His hobbies include flying
and going on mission trips.
To contact Ortega: 1509 N Main PMB 292, Altus OK 73521, or 580/482–0259, or
charles.ortega@okhouse.gov.

Leslie Osborn
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—47 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2009; Deputy Majority Whip, 2009;
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services, Vice
Chair; Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services; and
Judiciary.
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Osborn was born on October 17, 1963, in Salina, Kansas. She received a bachelor’s degree
from Oklahoma State University in 2006. She started her own business, Osborn Pick-Up
Accessories, in 1990. She and her husband, Tim Osborn, own and operate a farming and
cattle operation in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Osborn won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives in November 2008. She is a member of the Chickasha, Mustang, and Tuttle
chambers of commerce, the National Rifle Association, and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
Osborn has two children—Will and Katie.
To contact Osborn: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 303B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7333, or leslie.osborn@okhouse.gov.

Pat Ownbey
■ Occupation—Broadcasting ■ Education—University of Oklahoma,
BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—48 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations &
Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation, Vice Chair; Common
Education; Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services;
and Public Safety.
Ownbey received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the
University of Oklahoma. His love of broadcasting kept him involved in
that profession for more than thirty years, both in radio and television. He is president and
general manager of On the Air Property Management. He is the former owner and general
manager of KICM Radio, and the former vice president and general manger of KKAJ-KVSO
Radio. He has served as the past president of both the Ardmore Kiwanis Club and the United
Way of Southern Oklahoma. His community involvement has also involved board mem-
bership in the Ardmore Crime Stoppers, Ardmore YMCA, Greater Ardmore Scholarship
Foundation, and Take Two Academy. He currently serves as vice president of the Southern
Oklahoma Blood Institute. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 48 in November 2008. Ownbey, and his wife Kathy, have two children—Scott, and
his wife Megan; and Susan, and her husband Will Perkins. The have one granddaughter,
Anna Katherine. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Ardmore, where he
has taught Financial Peace University, and traveled on mission trips to Zimbabwe.
To contact Ownbey: 2303 Cloverleaf Place, Ardmore, OK 73401, or 405/557–7326, or
pat.ownbey@okhouse.gov.

Ron Peters
■ Occupation—President, Relations Inc. ■ Education—University
of Tulsa, BS; ■ Party—Republican ■ District—70 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2001–present; Assistant Majority Floor
Leader, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, Chair;
Energy & Utility Regulation; Human Services; Joint Committee on
Appropriations & Budget; Public Health; and Redistricting North/
Northeast Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Peters was born on September 28, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s degree
in business administration from the University of Tulsa in 1966. Peters has been employed
as a director of public and government affairs for an international oil and gas company. He
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is currently president of Relations Inc., a public affairs consulting company. Peters won
election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 70 in 2000. His honors
include the American Red Cross Everyday Hero Award, the March of Dimes Great Spirit
Award, Rogers State College Jefferson Fellow Award, the Tulsa Community Service Council
Dream Catcher Award, and the Tulsa Parent Child Center Guardian Angel Award. He also
received the Marion Jacewitz Award from the State Interagency Child Abuse Prevention Task
Force in 2003. Peters married the former Bonnie Swenke. They have two children—Gregory
and Ronda, and they have six grandchildren. Peters’s hobbies include golf.
To contact Peters: 4432 S Atlanta Place, Tulsa, OK 74105, or 918/749–2658, or
ronpeters@okhouse.gov.

Pam Peterson
■ Occupation—Television Spokesperson/Associate Producer ■
Education—Oral Roberts University, BA ■ Party—Republican
■ District—67 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member,
2003–present; Majority Whip, 2005 ■ Committee Membership—
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight; Appropriations &
Budget Subcommittee on Human Services; Human Services, Chair;
and Public Safety.
Peterson was born on June 28, 1955, in New York City. She received a
bachelor’s degree in communications from Oral Roberts University in 1977. She has been
employed as a television spokesperson as well as an associate television producer. She
served as Tulsa County Republican chairman, as the Republican Party’s First Congressional
District vice chairman, and as a national delegate to the Republican Convention. Peterson
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 67 in January 2004.
She was appointed commissioner for the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women,
and serves as chair of the Task Force to Stop Sexual Violence (2006). She continues active
participation in ALEC, Alliance to the Tulsa Medical Society, and MEND Pregnancy Resource
Center. Peterson and her husband, Paul, have two grown children. Peterson’s hobbies
include tennis.
To contact Peterson: 6528 E 101 ST, PMB 422, Tulsa, OK 74133, or 918/289–3003, or
pampeterson@okhouse.gov.

Anastasia Pittman
■ Occupation—Educator/Journalism/Public Relations ■
Education—University of Oklahoma, BA; Langston University, MEd
■ Party—Democrat ■ District—99 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2007–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Human Services; Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation; Economic
Development, Tourism & Financial Services; Higher Education &
Career Tech; and Redistricting Central Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Pittman was born in Miami, Florida, and has resided in Oklahoma for more than thirty-
five years. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the
University of Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in urban education and behavioral science
from Langston University. She has been employed in education, journalism, public relations,
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broadcasting, case management, and is a registered tutor with the Oklahoma City Public
Schools System. Pittman won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 99 in November 2006. Pittman is the second Seminole citizen to serve in the legis-
lature and serves on the Native American Caucus as secretary. She has received numerous
honors including Outstanding Community Service Recognition for Magic Star Foundation
from former President Bill Clinton, Asian Legislative Excellence Award, American Council
of Young Political Leaders Alumni, Media Advocacy Award, Oklahoma Coalition Against
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and she has been named an Oklahoma Achiever
Under 40. Pittman is an advisory board member of Red Earth and Junior League of Oklahoma.
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., American Council of Young Political
Leaders Alumni, Bricktown Rotary Club, Commission on the Status of Women, Leadership
Oklahoma Class XXII, National Caucus of Native American Legislators, National Black Caucus
of State Legislators, NOBEL Women, Northeast Church of Christ, Top Ladies of Distinction
Inc., Urban League Young Professionals, and Women in Legislators’ Lobby. She is a life
member of the NAACP. She has one daughter and one foster son.
To contact Pittman: 2300 N Lincoln Boulevard, Room 505, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7393, or anastasia.pittman@okhouse.gov.

Eric Proctor
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—77 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Minority
Caucus Secretary, 2007–present; Deputy Minority Floor Leader,
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation; Energy &
Utility Regulation; Transportation; and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Proctor was born on August 6, 1982. He attended Tulsa Community
College and Northeastern State University. He is an educator. Proctor
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 77 in November 2006
To contact Proctor: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 540A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7410, or eric.proctor@okhouse.gov.

R.C. Pruett
■ Occupation—Business Owner ■ Education—East Texas
State University ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—19 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment; Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation; Long-term Care &
Senior Services, Vice Chair.
Pruett was born on September 19, 1944, in Houston, Texas, and attended
East Texas State University. He has been self-employed for thirty-five
years, and currently owns and operates supermarkets. Pruett won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 19 in 2004. He continues active participation in the
Antlers Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, and the Oklahoma Grocery Association. Pruett
married the former Barbara Gentry. They have three children—Shannon, Ray, and Stacie.
His hobbies include golf and hunting.
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To contact Pruett: PO Box 969, Antlers, OK 74523, or 580/298–5577, or
rcpruett@okhouse.gov.

Marty Quinn
■ Occupation—Insurance Agent ■ Party—Republican ■ District—9
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on
Education; Energy & Utility Regulation; Insurance, Rules; and
Redistricting Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Quinn was born on October 23, 1972. He is employed as an insurance
agent. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from
District 9 on November 2, 2010
To contact Quinn: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 300C, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7380, or marty.quinn@okhouse.gov.

Brian Renegar
■ Occupation—Veterinarian ■ Education—Northeastern State
University, BS; Oklahoma State University, DVM ■ Party—Democrat
■ District—17 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–
present ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife &
Environment; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human
Services; Appropriations & Subcommittee on Natural Resources &
Regulatory Services; and Public Safety.
Renegar was born on September 16, 1950, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He received a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, and psychology from Northeastern
State University in 1972. He also received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1976. Renegar has been in mixed animal practice for the past
thirty years. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 17
in November 2006. In 2005 Governor Brad Henry appointed Renegar to the State Board of
Veterinary Medical Examiners, where he was elected vice president in 2006. He continues
active participation in the Frink Baptist Church, McAlester Rotary Club, National Rifle
Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, Pittsburg
County Cattlemen’s Association, and South McAlester Mason Lodge #96. He married the
former Theresa Pallan, and they have four children—Amanda, Cory, Glen, and Luke. They
also have five grandchildren.
To contact Renegar: 1550 S Main, McAlester, OK 74501, or 918/426–0113, or
brian.renegar@okhouse.gov.

Mike Reynolds
■ Occupation—Computer Consultant ■ Education—Oklahoma
University, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—91 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2003–present ■ Committee
Membership—Administrative Rules & Government Oversight;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation;
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Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services; and Higher Education & Career
Tech.
Reynolds was born on March 19, 1951, in Quantico, Virginia. He received a bachelor’s degree
in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. He received an honorable discharge from
the United States Air Force. A computer consultant, Reynolds has been employed as an
information systems director for Vision America, as president of New Creations Software
Inc., and owner/president of Vote Inc. Reynolds won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 91 in 2002. He married the former Nancy Smith. They have
three children—Sarah, Daniel, and David. An active member of Southern Hills Baptist
Church, and an ordained deacon, Reynolds also coaches youth soccer and other sports.
To contact Reynolds: 2609 SW 107 ST, Oklahoma City, OK 73170, or 405/557–7337, or
mikereynolds@okhouse.gov.

Phillip Richardson
■ Occupation—Farmer/Veterinarian ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BS, DVM ■ Party—Republican ■ District—56 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant
Majority Whip, 2007 ■ Committee Membership—Agriculture,
Wildlife & Environment, Chair; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services; Higher
Education & Career Tech; and Transportation.
Richardson was born on August 18, 1942, in Pocasset, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma
State University. A self-employed farmer and veterinarian, Richardson won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 56 in 2004. He continues active participa-
tion in the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma
Pork Council, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Richardson married the former Janalee Smith.
They have three children—Steve, Stan, and Shannon.
To contact Richardson: 289 CS 2760, Minco, OK 73059, or 405/352–4840, or
philrichardson@okhouse.gov.

Mike Ritze
■ Occupation—Physician/Surgeon ■ Education—Northeast
Missouri State University, BS; Kirksville College of Osteopathic
Medicine, DO; Oklahoma State University Center for Health
Sciences, MS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—80 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2009 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety, Vice
Chair; Insurance; Long-term Care & Senior Services; and Public
Health.
Ritze was born in Trenton, Missouri. He received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from
Northeast Missouri University, and a doctor of osteopathic medicine from Kirksville College
of Osteopathic Medicine. He also holds a master’s degree in forensic science administration
(summa cum laude) from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Ritze has
been a practicing physician and surgeon, and has delivered over 2,000 babies. He received
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and honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Captain Medical Corps. He has served in a
variety of professional positions including adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University
College of Medicine, Northeastern Oklahoma State University, and Council Law Enforcement
Education Training; past medical staff secretary and treasurer for the Broken Arrow Medical
Center; past president of the Tulsa County Osteopathic Medical Society; senior medical
examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration; State of Oklahoma Medical Examiner and
Child Abuse Examiner; and as the City of Broken Arrow’s police physician. He is a private
helicopter pilot. Ritze won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
80 in November 2008. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for thirty-five years and
have four children. Ritze is an ordained Southern Baptist deacon and Sunday school teacher
at Arrow Heights Baptist Church. He and his wife have served as medical missionaries to
Mexico and Honduras.
To contact Ritze: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 300A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7338, or mike.ritze@okhouse.gov.

Paul Roan
■ Occupation—Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Retired ■ Education—
East Central University, BS, MEd ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—20 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2001–present ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public
Safety; Public Safety; Veterans & Military Affairs; and Redistricting
Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Roan was born on January 11, 1943, in Ada, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in education in 1968 and a master’s degree in
education in 1971, both from East Central University. Roan served in the United States Air
Force from 1961 to 1965. He has been employed as a teacher in the Tipton Public Schools.
For thirty years, Roan was employed in law enforcement as a police officer at East Central
University, a deputy sheriff in Pontotoc County, and as an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer.
Roan won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 20 in 2000. His
civic affiliations include American Legion Post 164, Atoka Chamber of Commerce, Johnston
County Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma State Troopers Association, Tishomingo Lions
Club, and Tishomingo Masonic Lodge 91. Roan married the former Betty Melton. They have
three children—Chris, Brad, and Angela.
To contact Roan: 3300 Deer Pond Lane, Tishomingo, OK 73460, or 580/371–3526, or
paulroan@okhouse.gov.

Dustin Roberts
■ Occupation—Small Business Owner ■ Education—Durant
High School ■ Party—Republican ■ District—21 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human Services;
Common Education; General Government; and Veterans & Military
Affairs.
Roberts was born on December 29, 1983, and graduated from Durant
High School. He is a small business owner. Roberts won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 21 on November 2, 2010
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To contact Roberts: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 319, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7366, or dustin.roberts@okhouse.gov.

Sean Roberts
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma ■ Party—Republican ■ District—36 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Health & Social
Services; Insurance; Public Health; Transportation; and Redistricting
West/Northwest Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Roberts was born on October 18, 1973. He attended the University
of Oklahoma. Roberts won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 36 on November 2, 2010
To contact Roberts: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 322, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7322, or sean.roberts@okhouse.gov.

Wade Rousselot
■ Occupation—Rancher ■ Education—Oklahoma State
University, BS ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—12 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority
Floor Leader, 2007–present ■ Committee Membership—Energy
& Utility Regulation; Human Services; General Government; and
Redistricting North/Northeast Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Rousselot was born on April 13, 1959, in Joplin, Missouri. He attended
Oklahoma State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in
animal science. A self-employed rancher, Rousselot won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 12 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Oklahoma
Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Wagoner County Cattlemen’s Association,
Wagoner Farm Bureau, Wagoner Lions Club, and Wagoner Sheriff’s Association. Rousselot
married the former Margie Wicks. They have a daughter, Lelia. Rousselot lists his favorite
pastime as spending time with family.
To contact Rousselot: 5298 E 110 Street N, Wagoner, OK 74467, or 405/557–7388, or
waderousselot@okhouse.gov.

Todd Russ
■ Occupation—Rancher/Small Business Owner ■ Education—
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, BS; University of
Colorado; Berean University ■ Party—Republican ■ District—55
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee
Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment, Vice Chair;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation;
Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services; and Energy
& Utility Regulation.
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Russ was born on January 8, 1961. He received a bachelor’s degree in international finance
from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He attended the University of Colorado
Graduate School of Banking and the Berean University School of the Bible. His professional
career includes serving as president, CEO, director, and shareholder of Washita State Bank
in Burns Flat, Oklahoma; executive vice president, director, and interim president and CEO
of Frontier State Bank in Oklahoma City; vice president of commercial loans at the First
National Bank & Trust Company in Chickasha, Oklahoma; and as the owner and founder
of Commercial Growers Inc., in Cordell, Oklahoma. He has served on the following boards
directors: Washita State Bank, Frontier State Bank, Cordell Chamber of Commerce; Cordell
Municipal Airport, Oklahoma Bankers Association, and Washita County 2000 Economic
Development. Russ won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
55 on November 2, 2010. He and his wife, Khristy, have been happily married for twenty-six
years. They have three children—Ryan, Lacey, and Lauren.
To contact Russ: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 300, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7312, or todd.russ@okhouse.gov.

Mike Sanders
■ Occupation—Funeral Business ■ Education—Oklahoma Christian
University, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—59 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2009; Assistant Majority Whip, 2011
■ Committee Membership—Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment;
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety; Energy &
Utility Regulation; and Human Services, Vice Chair.
A native of western Oklahoma, Sanders graduated from Kingfisher
High School in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He earned a bachelor’s degree
in history and pre-law from Oklahoma Christian University. He has completed graduate
work in government at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He had dedicated his
career to public service, and began working on political campaigns at a very young age. After
making a strong impression on the Bush Campaign, he was given a position at the White
House as director of interns. He continued his public service as deputy chief of staff for rural
development for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where he coordinated
communications between the director and the agency’s forty-seven state directors. Sanders
also served as a liaison between the secretary and under secretary and various other offices
within the USDA. While at the USDA, he was instrumental in obtaining $500,000 to restore
the classic 89er Theater in Kingfisher. He also served as senior advisor to the chief of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, and had the honor of serving on the Council for
Small Business for Governor Frank Keating and Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin from
1999–2003. Sanders won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
59 in November 2008. His community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus #3113,
Kingfisher Elks Lodge, Kingfisher Rotary Club, and the National Rifle Association. He is a
lifetime member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Mike and his wife,
Nellie, have one son—Davis Lee Sanders.
To contact Sanders: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 536, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7407, or mike.sanders@okhouse.gov.
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Colby Schwartz
■ Occupation—Independent Consultant ■ Education—Oklahoma
City University, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—43 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant Majority
Whip, 2007 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services; Energy & Utility
Regulation; Judiciary, Vice Chair; and Public Health.
Schwartz was born on April 8, 1974, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A life-
long resident of Canadian County, Schwartz graduated from Yukon High
School, and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma City University
in 1995. After graduation, he worked for several campaigns during the 1996 election cycle
including Bob Dole’s presidential campaign, Ed Apple for corporation commissioner, and
Jim Inhofe for U.S. Senate. Following the elections, he worked for then Oklahoma Insurance
Commissioner John Crawford. In 1998 he served as Oklahoma Senator Mike Johnson’s
campaign manager. Schwartz then worked in the insurance and investment industry, and
for a brief period served as the executive director for the South Oklahoma City Council of
Neighborhoods. Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin hired Schwartz in June 1999 to serve as
her legislative and constituent liaison. He left that position in 2001, and for the next six years
worked in the private sector as a sales representative in the pharmaceutical industry. He
remained active in politics, serving as chair of the Canadian County Republican Party from
2000 to 2006; as a presidential elector in the 2004 election for Oklahoma; and has completed
a second term on the Oklahoma State Party Budget Committee, where he was elected by
the 3rd District Committee. He was named Canadian County Republican Party “Volunteer
of the Year” in 2006. Schwartz won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 43 in November 2006. He married the former Brenda Black, and they have two
daughters—Campbell and Harper. They are members of Covenant Community Church in
Yukon, where they serve in the children’s ministry.
To contact Schwartz: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 329, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7352, or colby.schwartz@okhouse.gov.

Seneca Scott
■ Occupation—Energy Management/Service Clearing Company
■ Education—University of Oklahoma, BA ■ Party—Democrat ■
District—72 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2009 ■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on General Government & Transportation; Government
Modernization; Human Services; and Rules.
Scott is a fifth-generation Oklahoman. He received a bachelor’s degree
in history and Native American studies from the University of Oklahoma.
He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 72 in November
2008. His extensive community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for
the Oklahoma Sustainability Network, the Springdale Economic Development Council, the
Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Task Force, and the Turley Community Association. Scott
has two children—Clay and Harper. He resides in north Tulsa, near the beautiful Mohawk
Park area.
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To contact Scott: 3102 E 2nd Street, Tulsa, OK 74104, or 405/557–7391, or
seneca.scott@okhouse.gov.

Earl Sears
■ Occupation—Educator/Principal, Retired ■ Education—
Northeastern State University, BA, MA ■ Party—Republican ■
District—11 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–pres-
ent ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget, Chair;
and Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget.
Sears was born on September 2, 1952, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He
received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northeastern State
University. After receiving his master’s degree in counseling, Sears
obtained his administrative certificate and served as principal of Central Middle School
in Bartlesville for twenty-four years. A dedicated community member, Sears has served
on numerous boards including the Bartlesville Area Rotary, Bartlesville City Council,
Symphony Board, Youth and Family Services, Bartlesville United Way, Bartlesville Community
Foundation, Cherokee Area Boy Scouts, and countless others. Sears is also a proud member
of the Bartlesville Sportsman Club. For the last thirty years, he has faithfully fought for com-
munity improvement initiatives including city capital improvements, political campaigns,
and school bond proposals. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 11 in November 2006. He married the former Jane Anne Grove, and they have
two children—Hollye and Ryan.
To contact Sears: 1721 Cherokee Place, Bartlesville, OK 74003, or 918/336–4855, or
earl.sears@okhouse.gov.

T.W. Shannon
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Party—Republican ■ District—62
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant
Majority Whip, 2007■ Committee Membership—Appropriations &
Budget Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation;
Energy & Utility Regulation; Higher Education & Career Tech; and
Transportation, Chair.
Shannon is a sixth generation Oklahoman, and a third generation
Lawtonian. He is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation. He is a
former U.S. Congressional staff member having worked for U.S. Representative J.C. Watts, and
Tom Cole. Shannon won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
62 in November 2006 . He was the first Republican to serve District 62 in the state’s history,
and the first African American elected to serve in the legislature from southern Oklahoma.
He and his wife, Devon, have one daughter—Audrey Grace, and a son—T.W. II.
To contact Shannon: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 328A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7374, or tw.shannon@okhouse.gov.
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Mike Shelton
■ Occupation—Community Relations ■ Education—Langston
University, BS ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—97 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority
Floor Leader, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Administrative Rules
& Government Oversight; Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on Public Health & Social Services; Economic Development,
Tourism & Financial Services; and Insurance.
Shelton was born on February 28, 1973, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in economics with emphasis in agricultural business from Langston
University. Shelton has been employed as community relations director for Langston
University as well as Oklahoma County. He also worked as district executive director for
the Boy Scouts of America. Shelton won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from District 97 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Inc., Prince Hall Masons & Shriners, Ryan White Board, and the Urban League Young
Professionals. Shelton married the former Clarissa Franklin, and they have two children.
His hobbies include fishing and movies.
To contact Shelton: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 539, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, or
405/557–7367, or mikeshelton@okhouse.gov

Benjamin Sherrer
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS; Oklahoma City University, JD ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—8
■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant
Minority Floor Leader, 2005; Deputy Minority Floor Leader,
2007; Minority Whip, 2009–present ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Judiciary; Energy &
Utility Regulation; Human Services; and Judiciary.
Sherrer was born on June 18, 1968, in Anchorage, Alaska. He received
two bachelor’s degrees from Oklahoma State University and a Juris Doctor degree from
Oklahoma City University. Sherrer has been employed as a bailiff and a staff auditor for the
State of Oklahoma. A practicing attorney, Sherrer won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 8 in 2004. He currently serves as minority whip. He continues
active participation in the Pryor Rotary. Sherrer married the former Margo DeRose. They
have three children—Bennett, Delanie, and Samuel. He is a member of the First Baptist
Church in Inola, Oklahoma. Sherrer’s hobbies include farming and OSU athletics.
To contact Sherrer: 123 N Hayden, Chouteau, OK 74337, or 405/557–7364, or
bensherrer@okhouse.gov.
 174  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Jerry Shoemake
■ Occupation—Farming/Ranching ■ Education—Morris High
School ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—16 ■ Legislative Experience—
House Member, 2005–present ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services; and
General Government.
Shoemake was born on April 1, 1943, in Morris, Oklahoma. He gradu-
ated from Morris High School, and has been self-employed in the
farming and ranching industries. Shoemake won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 16 in 2004. He continues active participation in the American
Quarter Horse Association, Morris Lion’s Club, Oklahoma Fairs & Festivals Association,
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, Okmulgee County
Cattlemen’s Association, and Okmulgee County Fair Board. Shoemake married the former
Lynda Mills. His hobbies include team roping.
To contact Shoemake: 15160 N 310 Road, Morris, OK 74445, or 918/733–2522, or
jerryshoemake@okhouse.gov.

Jabar Shumate
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma, BA ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—73 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant Minority
Floor Leader, 2007–present ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education; Common
Education, Vice Chair; Insurance; and Redistricting North/Northeast
Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Shumate was born on January 26, 1976, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and administration from the University of Oklahoma. He
has been employed as press secretary at the University of Oklahoma as well as assistant to
the president for University Outreach at OU-Tulsa. Shumate won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives with 87 percent of the vote in 2004. He continues active partici-
pation in the Affirmative Action Review Council, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Martin
Luther King Jr. Commemorative Society, and Taking It to the Arts for Tulsa’s Kids. Shumate’s
hobbies include reading American presidential biographies and watching college football.
To contact Shumate: PO Box 48514, Tulsa, OK 74148, or 405/557–7406, or
jabarshumate@okhouse.gov.

Aaron Stiles
■ Occupation—Lawyer ■ Education—University of Oklahoma ■
Party—Republican ■ District—45 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Judiciary; Government Modernization; Judiciary;
and Veterans & Military Affairs.
Stiles was born and raised in Oklahoma in eastern Cleveland County.
After graduating from Carl Albert High School, he became a member
 Legislative Branch  175

State House of Representatives

of the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a military police officer. During his eight years
in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he received the Air Force Achievement Medal, the
National Defense Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and two honorable discharges.
He received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Oklahoma, and
a juris doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He is the owner and lead
counsel for the Stiles Legal Group based in Norman. He won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 45 on November 2, 2010. He and his wife, JoAnne,
have been married eight years, and live in rural Cleveland County with their three dogs.
To contact Stiles: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 338, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7386, or aaron.stiles@okhouse.gov.

Daniel Sullivan
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Northeastern State
University, BS; University of Tulsa, JD ■ Party—Republican ■
District—71 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–pres-
ent; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2007; Majority Floor Leader,
2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget;
Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services; Joint
Committee on Appropriations & Budget; and Judiciary.
Sullivan was born on March 12, 1963, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Frank and
Karen Sullivan. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern
State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa. A practicing attorney,
Sullivan won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 71 in 2004. He
continues active participation in the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa, Northeastern State University
Foundation, Tulsa County Reserve, and Tulsa Dream Center. His hobbies include fly fish-
ing, golf, and hunting.
To contact Sullivan: PMB 412, 4306 S Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105, or 918/583–8100, or
danielsullivan@okhouse.gov.

Randy Terrill
■ Occupation—Business/Legal Consultant ■ Education—University
of Central Oklahoma, BA; University of Oklahoma, JD ■ Party—
Republican ■ District—53 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2005–present; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2007■
Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee
on General Government & Transportation; General Government;
Government Modernization; and Higher Education & Career Tech.
Terrill was born on September 29, 1969, in Alva, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Juris
Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma. Terrill has an extensive background in
Oklahoma politics, serving as a press intern for Governor Henry Bellmon, legislative assis-
tant to former House Republican Leader Larry Ferguson, director of legislative research and
special projects for Governor Frank Keating, political director of the Oklahoma Republican
Party, and as special assistant to Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau. He is a professor of
government, history, and law, as well as a business and legal consultant. Terrill won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 53 in 2004. He continues active
 176  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
participation in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Moore and Norman
chambers of commerce, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Oklahoma
Conservative Political Action Committee, Oklahoma Sooner and Republican assemblies,
and Southgate Baptist Church. Terrill married the former Angela Fitzgerald. They have
two children— Elizabeth and Randal. His hobbies include government, law, politics, and
technology.
To contact Terrill: 612 SW 12 Street, Moore, OK 73160, or 405/895–6608, 405/557–7346, or
randyterrill@okhouse.gov.

Todd Thomsen
■ Occupation—Southeastern Oklahoma Area Representative for
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ■ Education—University of
Oklahoma, MIS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—25 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Assistant Majority
Floor Leader, 2009; Chaplains, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education; Higher
Education & Career Tech, Chair; Public Safety; and Transportation.
Thomsen was born on June 24, 1967, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He
received an MIS degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is employed as a Southeastern
Oklahoma Representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which involves public
speaking and interacting with students and school faculty. He won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 25 in November 2006. He and his wife, Melanie, have
lived in Ada for more than twenty years, and they have four children—Aneli, Mene’e, Tovan,
and Tyde. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Ada.
To contact Thomsen: PO Box 2347, Ada, OK 74821, or 405/557–7336, or
todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov.

Sue Tibbs
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—Tulsa Junior College ■
Party—Republican ■ District—23 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2001–present ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Human Services; General Government;
Judiciary; and Public Safety, Chair.
Tibbs was born on October 6, 1934, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated
from Tulsa Central High School and attended Tulsa Junior College. Tibbs
won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
23 in 2000. She and her husband Milton have two children—Debra and Kelli.
To contact Tibbs: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 303A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7379, or suetibbs@okhouse.gov.
 Legislative Branch  177

State House of Representatives

John Trebilcock
■ Occupation—Attorney/Education ■ Education—Oklahoma
State University, BA, University of Tulsa, JD ■ Party—Republican
■ District—98 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2003–
present; Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2005 ■ Committee
Membership—Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Judiciary;
Energy & Utility Regulation, Chair; Government Modernization;
Rules; and Redistricting North/Northeast Oklahoma Subcommittee.
Trebilcock was born on August 17, 1973, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received
a bachelor’s degree in English from Oklahoma State University in 1996 and a Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Tulsa in 2001. Trebilcock has been employed as a history teacher
and as an attorney. He has been honored as the New Teacher of the Year by Broken Arrow
Public Schools. He also was named Order of the Curule Chair by the University of Tulsa Law
School. Trebilcock won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District
98 in 2002. He continues active participation in the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce,
Jaycees, OSU Alumni Association, and the Tulsa County Republican Men’s Club.
To contact Trebilcock: PO Box 140299, Broken Arrow, OK, 74014, or 918/357–2832, or
johntrebilcock@okhouse.gov.

Steve Vaughan
■ Occupation—Financial Planner/Hunting Preserve Owner &
Operator ■ Education—Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, AAS; School
of the Ozarks, BS ■ Party—Republican ■ District—37 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Human Services; Insurance; and Public Safety.
Born in Cassville, Missouri, in 1958, Vaughan attended nearby
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on a football scholarship and received
an associate’s degree. He received a bachelor’s degree from the School of the Ozarks in 1979.
That same year, he married his wife, Diane, and the couple have five children—Stephen,
Chris, Ashley, Matt, and Amber. The couple also have one grandson. Vaughan has been
employed as a financial planner and insurance representative in the Ponca City area for
three decades. He also established Buffalo Waller Ranch in 2002 as a hunting preserve near
Kaw Lake. A skilled carpenter, he built his own home and most of the ranch outbuildings.
For over thirty years, he has been a scout leader for Boy Scouts of America, and a youth
football and basketball coach. A longtime member of the National Rifle Association, he
also heads the charitable arm of Thrivent, and is a leader at First Lutheran Church, Ponca
City. Vaughan won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 37 on
November 2, 2010
To contact Vaughan: to 2101 N 14 Street, Suite 138, Ponca City, OK 74601, or 580/761–4654,
or steve.vaughan@okhouse.gov.
 178  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Emily Virgin
■ Occupation—Law Clerk ■ Education—University of Oklahoma ■
Party—Democrat ■ District—44 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Judiciary; Common Education; Higher Education
& Career Tech; Judiciary; and Redistricting Southern Oklahoma
Subcommittee.
Virgin was born on October 1, 1986, and attended the University of
Oklahoma. She has been employed as a law clerk. Virgin won election
to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 44 on November 2, 2010
To contact Virgin: to 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 539B, Oklahoma City, Ok 73105, or
405/557–7323, or emily.virgin@okhouse.gov.

Purcy Walker
■ Occupation—State Legislator ■ Education—Southwestern
Oklahoma State University ■ Party—Democrat ■ District—60 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2001–present ■ Committee
Membership—Administrative Rules & Government Oversight,
Vice Chair; Appropriations & Budget; Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services;
Government Modernization; Joint Committee on Appropriations
& Budget; and Redistricting West/Northwest Oklahoma
Subcommittee.
Walker was born on November 11, 1951, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Purcy and Carolyn
Walker. He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1975. Walker served
as Beckham County commissioner from 1991 to 2000. He won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 60 in 2000. He continues active participation in the
Elk City, Erick, and Sayre chambers of commerce, Gideons, Kiwanis, and the West Central
Oklahoma Red Cross Chapter. Walker married the former Tonya Pinkston. They have three
children—Brandon and his wife Missy, Crystal and her husband Russell, and Candace and
her husband Joe. They have five grandchildren—Jace, Caylin, Reece, Lauren, and Cade.
To contact Walker: PO Box 461, Elk City, OK 73648, or 580/225–5207, or
purcywalker@okhouse.gov.

Weldon Watson
■ Occupation—Energy Industry, Retired ■ Education—University
of Oklahoma, BA ■ Party—Republican ■ District—79 ■ Legislative
Experience—House Member, 2007–present; Deputy Majority Whip,,
2009; Majority Caucus Chair, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight; Appropriations
& Budget Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation; Energy & Utility
Regulation; and Rules, Vice Chair.
Watson was born on December 8, 1947, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1970. He
spent eight years as a reporter finishing his career in that profession working for WKY-TV in
 Legislative Branch  179

State House of Representatives

Oklahoma City, where he covered the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He also worked
twenty-eight years in the energy business, retiring from ONEOK, Inc., on March 1, 2006, as a
corporate officer. He won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 79
in November 2006. His recent memberships include American Gas Association; Association
of Investment Management and Research, Leadership Tulsa, National Investor Relations
Institute; Public Relations Society of America, Society of Professional Journalists, Southern
Gas Association, Summit Club of Tulsa, Tulsa Chamber Government Affairs Committee, Tulsa
Citizens Crime Commission Board, Union Public Schools Planning Committee; University
of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications Board of Visitors;
and Woodlake Assembly of God Board of Deacons. He married the former Cheryle Satterlee,
and they have two sons—Matthew and Stephen.
To contact Watson: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 302, Oklahoma City, OK 73105,
918/281–9370, or weldon.watson@okhouse.gov.

Paul Wesselhoft
■ Occupation—Minister ■ Education—University of Central
Oklahoma, BA; Southern Nazarene University, MA; Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary, MDiv ■ Party—Republican ■ District—54 ■
Legislative Experience—House Member, 2005–present; Assistant
Majority Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations &
Budget Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services; Energy &
Utility Regulation; Judiciary; and Veterans & Military Affairs, Chair.
Wesselhoft was born on August 16, 1947, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He received a bachelor’s degree in drama from the University of Central Oklahoma, a
master’s degree in religion from Southern Nazarene University, and a master of divinity
degree in theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. A highly decorated mili-
tary veteran, Wesselhoft served in front line combat during the liberation of Kuwait in the
Persian Gulf War. He is a retired United States Army Airborne Ranger chaplain. An ordained
Baptist minister, Wesselhoft pastored the Community Chapel in Vicenza, Italy. He also
worked as the state coordinator of Oklahoma Abstinence Sex Education for Teens for the
Oklahoma State Health Department. Wesselhoft won election to the Oklahoma House of
Representatives from District 54 in 2004. He continues active participation in the Heritage
Foundation, a conservative think-tank. Wesselhoft married the former Judy Albright. They
have two children—Justin and Holly.
To contact Wesselhoft: 1105 NE 29 Street, Moore, OK 73160, 405/794–9464, or
paulwesselhoft@okhouse.gov.

Cory T. Williams
■ Occupation—Attorney ■ Education—Oklahoma State University,
BS, MS; Oklahoma City University School of Law, JD ■ Party—
Democrat ■ District—34 ■ Legislative Experience—House
Member, 2009; Minority Caucus Secretary, 2009; Assistant Minority
Whip, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on Education; Higher Education & Career Tech;
Judiciary; and Rules.
 180  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Williams graduated from Stillwater High School
in 1996. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis on applied
politics in 2001, and a master’s degree in international trade and development from the
OSU School of International Studies in 2003. While in graduate school, he was awarded the
Boeing Company Fellowship for his overseas work with American Airlines. He completed
his law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2006. He won election to the
Oklahoma House of Representatives from District 34 in November 2008. An active leader in
the Stillwater community, Williams has taken an interest in both the health care and education
of local residents. He serves on the board of directors for the Stillwater Community Health
Center, a non-profit health clinic for the indigent and under-served residents of Stillwater.
He is also a trustee for the Stillwater Public Education Foundation, the foundation provid-
ing private fund raising for special projects at his local alma mater. He is a member of the
American Bar Association as well as the Oklahoma and Payne counties’ bar associations.
He married the former Shannon Jacobson, a dentist.
To contact Williams: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 316, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7411, or cory.williams@okhouse.gov.

Harold Wright
■ Occupation—Radio Broadcasting/CEO ■ Education—
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, BA ■ Party—Republican
■ District—57 ■ Legislative Experience—House Member, 2009;
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2009; Majority Caucus Vice
Chair, 2011 ■ Committee Membership—Appropriations & Budget
Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation, Vice
Chair; Higher Education & Career Tech; Human Services; and
Transportation.
Wright attended Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, and received a bach-
elor’s degree in speech from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1971. His interest
in radio broadcasting began in college, while working at university and community radio
stations. He worked in programming and sales at KWEY Radio in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
He served as sales manager at WMBR Radio in Jacksonville, Florida, before moving back to
Oklahoma in 1975 to become part owner and general manager of KRPT Radio in Anadarko.
Wright fulfilled a dream when he purchased his hometown radio station and moved back
to Weatherford in 1991. Since then he has added stations in nearby Clinton, Cordell, and Elk
City; he now operates five stations in western Oklahoma. He actively manages Wright Radio
and helps promote community affairs. He served as mayor of Anadarko from 1985–1987,
and was past president of Rotary and the chamber of commerce. He was also president of
the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters in 1986. Wright won election to the Oklahoma
House of Representatives from District 57 in November 2008. He and his wife, Carol, have
two children—Angela and Heston. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church
in Weatherford, and is a certified lay speaker.
To contact Wright: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Room 400B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or
405/557–7325, or harold.wright@okhouse.gov.
 181

House Committees
Committee chair is listed first—the second name is vice chair.
The Speaker of the House and Speaker Pro Tempore are ex-officio voting members of all committees.
Administrative Rules and Government Oversight—George Faught, Purcy Walker, Gary
Banz, David Brumbaugh, Williamm Fourkiller, Charles Key, Al McAffrey, Mark
McCullough, Pam Peterson, Mike Reynolds, Mike Shelton, and Weldon Watson.
Agriculture, Wildlife, and Environment—Phil Richardson, Todd Russ, John Bennett,
Lisa J. Billy, Dennis Casey, John Enns, Rusty Farley, Larry Glenn, Tommy Hardin,
Mike Jackson, Steve Kouplen, James Lockhart, Tom Newell, Charles Ortega, Les-
lie Osborn, R.C. Pruett, Brian Renegar, Mike Sanders, Jerry Shoemake, and Steve
Vaughan.
Appropriations and Budget—Earl Sears, Scott Martin, Don Armes, Lisa J. Billy, Gus Black-
well, Mike Brown, Doug Cox, David Dank, Lee Denney, Dale DeWitt, Joe Dorman,
Chuck Hoskin, Guy Liebmann, Jerry McPeak, Ron Peters, Daniel Sullivan, and Purcy
Walker.
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittees
Education—Lee Denney, Corey Holland, Gary Banz, Dennis Casey, Ann Coody, Sally
Kern, Jeannie McDaniel, Jadine Nollan, Marty Quinn, Jabar Shumate, Todd Thom-
sen, and Cory T. Williams.
General Government and Transportation—Guy Liebmann, Harold Wright, George
Faught, Larry Glenn, Dennis Johnson, Charles Key, Randy McDaniel, Jason Mur-
phey, Eric Proctor, Seneca Scott, T.W. Shannon, and Randy Terrill.
Human Services—Ron Peters, Jason Nelson, Elise Hall, Jeannie McDaniel, Pam Peterson,
Anastasia Pittman, Brian Renegar, Dustin Roberts, Sue Tibbs, and Steve Vaughan.
Judiciary—Gus Blackwell, Mark McCullough, Randy Grau, Fred Jordan, Charlie Joyner,
Richard Morrissett, Ben Sherrer, Aaron Stiles, John Trebilcock, and Emily Virgin.
Natural Resources and Regulatory Services—Don Armes, Leslie Osborn, John Enns, Rusty
Farley, Dan Kirby, Skye McNiel, Charles Ortega, Brian Renegar, Phil Richardson,
Jerry Shoemake, and Purcy Walker.
Public Health and Social Services—Doug Cox, Marian Cooksey, Josh Cockroft, David
Derby, William Fourkiller, Rebecca Hamilton, Lewis H. Moore, Glen Mulready, Sean
Roberts, Colby Schwartz, Mike Shelton, and Paul Wesselhoft.
Public Safety—Lisa J. Billy, Mike Ritze, John Bennett, David Brumbaugh, Mike Christian,
Donnie Condit, Joe Dorman, Tommy Hardin, Paul D. Roan, and Mike Sanders.
Revenue and Taxation—David Dank, Pat Ownbey, Mike Brown, Mike Jackson, Steve
Martin, Tom Newell, Anastasia Pittman, R.C. Pruett, Mike Reynolds, Todd Russ, and
Weldon Watson.
Common Education—Ann Coody, Jabar Shumate, Gus Blackwell, Ed Cannaday, Dennis
Casey, Donnie Condit, Doug Cox, Corey Holland, Fred Jordan, Sally Kern, Jeannie
McDaniel, Jason Nelson, Jadine Nollan, Pat Ownbey, Dustin Roberts, and Emily Vir-
gin.
Economic Development, Tourism and Financial Services—Randy McDaniel, Charles
Ortega, Don Armes, Mike Brown, Lee Denney, George Faught, Corey Holland, Mike
Jackson, Charles Key, Al McAffrey, Skye McNiel, Danny Morgan, Richard Mporris-
sett, Glen Mulready, Leslie Osborn, Pat Ownbey, Anastasia Pittman, Mike Reynolds,
Todd Russ, Mike Shelton, and Daniel Sullivan.
 182  Oklahoma Almanac
State House of Representatives
Energy and Utility Regulation—John Trebilcock, Mike Jackson, Don Armes, David Brum-
baugh, Marian Cooksey, Lee Denney, Wes Hilliard, Scott Inman, Dennis Johnson,
Dan Kirby, Steve Kouplen, Steve Martin, Skye McNiel, Jerry McPeak, Danny Morgan,
Charles Ortega, Ron Peters, Eric Proctor, Marty Quinn, Wade Rousselot, Todd Russ,
Mike Sanders, Colby Schwartz, T.W. Shannon, Benn Sherrer, Weldon Watson, and Paul
Wesselhoft.
General Government—Dennis Johnson, Mike Christian, Lisa J. Billy, Donnie Condit, Larry
Glenn, Elise Hall, Charlie Joyner, Guy Liebmann, Scott Martin, Steve Martin, Dustin
Roberts, Wade Rousselot, Jerry Shoemank, Randy Terrill, and Sue Tibbs.
Government Modernization—Jason Murphey, Wes Hilliard, David Brumbaugh, Josh Cock-
roft, David Derby, Mark McCullough, Lewis Moore, Richard Morrissette, Seneca Scott,
Aaron Stiles, Randy Terrill, John Trebilcock, and Purcy Walker.
Higher Education and Career Tech—Todd Thomsen, Steve Kouplen, Dennis Casey, Marian
Cooksey, Lee Denney, Elise Hall, Rebecca Hamilton, Scott Martin, Lewis H. Moore,
Tom Newell, Anastasia Pittman, Mike Reynolds, Phil Richardson, T.W. Shannon, Ran-
dy Terrill, Emily Virgin, Cory T. Williams, and Harold Wright.
Human Services—Pam Peterson, Mike Sanders, Donnie Condit, Sally kern, Skye McNiel,
Jason Murphey, Jason Nelson, Jadine Nollan, Ron Peters, Wade Rousselot, Seneca
Scott, Ben Sherrer, and Harold Wright.
Insurance—Charles Key, Dan Kirby, Mike Christian, David Dank, Joe Dorman, Danny Mor-
gan, Glen Mulready, Marty Quinn, Mike Ritze, Sean Roberts, Mike Shelton, Jabar Shu-
mate, and Steve Vaughan.
Judiciary—Fred Jordan, Colby Schwartz, Gus Blackwell, Marian Cooksey, Randy Grau, Scott
Inman, Dan Kirby, Mark McCullough, Richard Morrissette, Leslie Osborn, Ben Sher-
rer, Aaron Stiles, Daniel Sullivan, Sue Tibbs, Emily Virgin, Paul Wesselhoft, and Cory T.
Williams.
Long-term Care and Senior Services—Sally Kern, R.C. Pruett, Lisa J. Billy, Gus Blackwell, Ed
Cannaday, Mike Christian, Ann Coody, David Dank, William Fourkiller, James Lock-
hart, Tom Newell, and Mike Ritze.
Public Health—John Enns, David Derby, Ed Cannaday, Doug Cox, Randy Grau, Wes Hill-
iard, Corey Holland, Al McAffrey, Jeannie McDaniel, Jadine Nollan, Ron Peters, Mike
Ritze, Sean Roberts, and Colby Schwartz.
Public Safety—Sue Tibbs, Steve Martin, John Bennett, Ed Cannaday, Josh Cockroft, Doug
Cox, Tommy Hardin, Chuck Hoskin, Fred Jordan, Charlie Joyner, Al McAffrey, Pat
Ownbey, Pam Peterson, Brian Renegar, Paul D. Roan, Todd Thomsen, and Steve
Vaughan.
Redistricting—Dale Dewitt, and Danny Morgan.
Redistricting Central Oklahoma Subcommittee—David Dank, Scott Inman, Randy McDan-
iel, Tom Newell, and Anastasia Pittman.
Redistricting Eastern Oklahoma Subcommittee—Paul D. Roan, Doug Cox, George Faught,
Chuck Hoskin, and Marty Quinn.
Redistricting North/Northeast Oklahoma Subcommittee—Ron Peters, Jadine Nollan, Wade
Rousselot, Jabar Shumate, and John Trebilcock.
Redistricting Southern Oklahoma Subcommittee—Don Armes, Lisa J. Billy, Wes Hilliard,
Scott Martin, and Emily Virgin.
Redistricting West/Northwest Oklahoma Subcommittee—Jeffrey W. Hickman, Dennis
 Legislative Branch  183

State House of Representatives

Casey, Mike Jackson, Sean Roberts, and Purcy Walker.
Rules—Gary Banz, Weldon Watson, Don Armes, David Dank, Joe Dorman, Larry Glenn,
Rebecca Hamilton, Dennis Johnson, Guy Liebmann, Randy McDaniel, Glen Mulready,
Marty Quinn, Seneca Scott, John Trebilcock, and Cory T. Williams.
Transportation—T.W. Shannon, Charlie Joyner, Mike Brown, Josh Cockroft, Rusty Farley,
George Faught, Randy Grau, Elise Hall, Tommy Hardin, Steve Kouplen, Guy Liebmann,
James Lockhart, Scott Martin, Jerry McPeak, Jason Murphey, Eric Proctor, Phil Rich-
ardson, Sean Roberts, Todd Thomsen, and Harold Wright.
Veterans and Military Affairs—Paul Wesselhoft, Lewis H. Moore, Gary Banz, John Bennett,
Ann Coody, John Enns, Rusty Farley, Chuck Hoskin, Scott Inman, Randy McDaniel,
Eric Proctor, Paul D. Roan, Dustin Roberts, and Aaron Stiles.
Photograph courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society
Judicial
Branch
186  Oklahoma Almanac
 187

Oklahoma Court System

The Oklahoma Court System is made up of the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals,
the Court of Civil Appeals, and seventy-seven District Courts.

Courts of Last Resort Civil—Supreme Court

Criminal—Court of Criminal Appeals

Intermediate Appellate Court Court of Civil Appeals

Courts of General Jurisdiction District Courts

Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Court on the Judiciary

Court of Tax Review
Workers’ Compensation Court
Municipal Criminal Courts of Record
Municipal Courts Not of Record

Court-Related Entities Judicial Nominating Commission

Dispute Resolution Advisory Board

Unlike most states, Oklahoma has two courts of last resort. The Oklahoma Supreme Court
determines all issues of a civil nature, and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decides
all criminal matters. Members of these courts, and of the Court of Civil Appeals, are appointed
by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating
Commission. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has nine justices; the Court of Criminal Appeals,
five judges; and the Court of Civil Appeals, twelve judges.
The Court of Civil Appeals is responsible for the majority of appellate decisions. These opin-
ions may be released for publication by either the Oklahoma Supreme Court or the Court of
Civil Appeals. When the opinions are released by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, they have
precedential value. The Court of Civil Appeals is made up of four divisions, each composed
of three judges. Two divisions of the Court of Civil Appeals are located in Oklahoma City,
and two are in Tulsa.
Deciding cases is only one of the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s functions. The court is also
responsible for administering the state’s entire judicial system. The court establishes rules
of operation for all other courts in the state. The court formulates rules for practice of law,
which govern the conduct of all attorneys, and it administers discipline in appropriate cases.
Administrative services for the court system are provided by the Administrative Office of
the Courts. For more information please contact the Administrative Office of the Courts at
405/521–2450.
Supreme Court Judicial Districts
188  Oklahoma Almanac
 189

Supreme Court
Constitution, Article 7 § 1
History and Function—The Oklahoma Supreme Court determines all issues of a civil
nature in the State of Oklahoma. Members of this court are appointed by the governor
from a list of three names submitted by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission.

Name City District

Steven W. Taylor, Chief Justice McAlester 2
Tom Colbert, Vice Chief Justice Tulsa 6
Douglas L. Combs Shawnee 8
James Edmondson Muskogee 7
Yvonne Kauger Colony 4
Noma D. Gurich Oklahoma City 3
John F. Reif Tulsa 1
Joseph M. Watt Altus 9
James R. Winchester Chickasha 5

Administration—Michael D. Evans, Administrative Director of the Courts; Mike

Mayberry, Deputy Director; Debra Charles, General Counsel. Administrative Office
of the Courts is located in the Denver Davison Building, 1915 North Stiles, Suite 305,
Oklahoma City 73105  •  405/521–2450  •  www.oscn.net  •  Agency Code 677, IA
Clerk of the Appellate Courts (Constitution, Article 7 § 5; 20 O.S. 2001, § 78),
Michael S. Richie. Clerk Office is located in Room B-2, State Capitol, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105  •  405/521–2163
Marshal—Nancy Parrott, State Capitol, Room 245  •  405/521–2263

Staff Attorneys
Name Justice Name Justice
David Dixon Tom Colbert W. Kyle Shifflett Yvonne Kauger
Kate DoDoo Tom Colbert Sharon Schooley John Reif
Sheldon Jones Douglas L. Combs Hilda Harlton John Reif
Frank Sewell Douglas L. Combs Donna Embry Steven W. Taylor
Vacant James Edmondson Barbara Kinney Steven W. Taylor
Michael Elliott James Edmondson Paul White James Winchester
John W. Turner Noma Gurich Jill van Egmond James Winchester
Vacant Noma Gurich Vicki Angus Joseph M. Watt
Alana House Yvonne Kauger Cindy George Joseph M. Watt

Referees—Greg Albert, Louise Helms, Daniel Karim, Barbara Swimley

190  Oklahoma Almanac

Justices of the Supreme Court

Chief Justice Steven W. Taylor, District 2. Born on June 7, 1949, in Henryetta,
Oklahoma, Taylor attended McAlester Public Schools. He received
a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State Uni-
versity in 1971 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of
Oklahoma College of Law in 1974. He is the only person to have
received the highest alumni awards at both OSU and OU. Taylor
joined the United States Marine Corps and served both active duty
from 1974 to 1978. He was trained as an infantry platoon com-
mander and later served as a prosecutor and chief defense counsel.
In 1977 he became the youngest judge in the U.S. armed forces. He
achieved the rank of major. Following his military career, Taylor practiced law in McAl-
ester from 1978 to 1984. Taylor’s public service career began in 1980, when he was
elected to the McAlester City Council. In 1982 he was elected mayor of McAlester, mak-
ing him the youngest in the city’s history. In 1983 he received recognition as one of three
“Outstanding Young Oklahomans.” Recognizing Taylor’s leadership in economic
development, the City of McAlester named a multi-million dollar industrial park for
him, where many industries now employ several hundred Oklahomans. The city further
honored Taylor in 1997 by naming him “Citizen of the Year.” Governor George Nigh
appointed Taylor associate district judge in 1984. Taylor became the first associate
district judge elected president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. In 1994 he was
elected district judge and chief judge of the eighteenth Judicial District that included
McIntosh and Pittsburg counties. In 1997 and 2003 he was elected presiding judge of
the East Central Judicial Administrative District that encompasses ten counties. During
the twenty years Taylor served as a trial judge, he presided over more than 500 jury
trials including Terry Nichols’s Oklahoma City bombing trial. He has received numer-
ous awards including the Oklahoma Bar Association 2003 “Award of Judicial Excellence.”
On September 23, 2004, Governor Brad Henry appointed Taylor as justice of the Okla-
homa Supreme Court. In 2007 Oklahoma magazine named him as one of the “100 Who
Shaped Us,” a list of Oklahomans who influenced the first one hundred years of our
state. In 2009 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Taylor can be reached
at Room 200, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–3844.

Vice Chief Justice Tom Colbert, District 6. Colbert, the first African-American
to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, was born in Oklahoma
City. He graduated from Sapulpa High School, earned an associ-
ate’s degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College in 1970, and a
bachelor of science degree from Kentucky State University in 1973.
While at Kentucky State, Colbert was named an All-American in
track and field. Colbert served in the United States Army and
received an honorable discharge in 1975. He earned a master of
education degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1976 and
taught in the public schools in Chicago. Colbert received his juris
doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1982. He was an assistant dean at Mar-
quette University Law School from 1982–1984, and an assistant district attorney in
Oklahoma County from 1984–1986, before entering private law practice at Miles-LaGrange
& Colbert from 1986- to 1989. Colbert continued his practice under the name Colbert
 Judicial Branch  191

Supreme Court
and Associates from 1989 to 2000. He also served as an attorney for the Oklahoma Depart-
ment of Human Services from 1988 to 1989 and again in 1999. In March 2000, Colbert
became the first African-American appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.
He served as chief judge of that court in 2004. On October 7, 2004, Governor Brad Henry
appointed Colbert to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In January 2011, Colbert was sworn
in as the court’s first African-American vice chief justice. Colbert is a member of the
American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association,
and the Tulsa County Bar Association. He is a frequent speaker at schools. Colbert can
be reached at State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105, or 405/521–3843.

Justice Douglas L. Combs, District 8. Born on October 17, 1951 in Shawnee, Okla-
homa, Combs was appointed by Governor Brad Henry to the Okla-
homa Supreme Court on January 1, 2011. He served as district judge
in the twenty-third judicial district from 2003 through 2010, and served
as special district judge from 1995 to 2003. Prior to taking the bench,
Combs was in private practice and served as an assistant state attor-
ney general and as a deputy clerk for the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Combs graduated from Shawnee High School in 1969. He attended
St. Gregory’s Junior College, now St. Gregory’s University, and the
University of Oklahoma to earn a bachelor’s degree in political sci-
ence in 1973. He earned his juris doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of
Law in 1976, and was admitted to the bar the same year. Combs has served as chief judge
of the twenty-third judicial district and as the presiding judge of the North Central Admin-
istrative Judicial District. He served as a board member of the Oklahoma Judicial Confer-
ence from 2006 to 2010 and held the office of president of the Oklahoma Judicial Confer-
ence in 2009. Combs is married to Janet Lea Combs, and the couple has two children,
Christopher, a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, and Eric, a second year law
student. He is a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Combs can be reached at Room 240,
State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105, or 405/521–3847.

Justice James Edmondson, District 7. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Edmondson

received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University in
1967. He served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1969. Following
his military service, Edmondson enrolled at Georgetown University
Law School and received his law degree in 1973. His legal career
includes serving as Muskogee County’s assistant district attorney
from 1976 to 1978, assistant United States attorney from 1978 to 1980,
and acting U.S. attorney for Oklahoma’s Eastern District from 1980 to
1981. Edmondson entered private law practice and was a partner in
the Edmondson Law Office from 1981 through 1983. He served as
district judge for District 15 in 1983 and continued in that capacity for twenty years. Gov-
ernor Brad Henry appointed Edmondson as justice to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on
December 2, 2003. He served as chief justice in 2009 and 2010. He and his wife, Suzanne,
have two grown children, Jimmy and Sarah, and a grandson, Jack. Edmondson can be
reached at Room 200, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–3830.
 192  Oklahoma Almanac
Supreme Court
Justice Noma D. Gurich, District 3. Born on September 26, 1952, in South Bend,
Indiana, Gurich graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka,
Indiana. She graduated magna cum laude from Indiana State Uni-
versity in 1975 with a degree in political science. Gurich received her
juris doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma College of
Law in 1978. She was an editor of the American Indian Law Review,
and received the Professional Responsibility Award. Gurich has lived
in Oklahoma City for more than thirty years. Before she began her
judicial career, Gurich was engaged in the private law practice law in
Oklahoma City for ten years. In 1988 she was appointed by Governor
Henry Bellmon to serve as a judge on the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court. She
served as presiding judge of that court for four years. She was reappointed for a second
term by Governor David Walters in 1994. After being appointed by Governor Frank Keat-
ing to the district court bench in July 1998, she won a county-wide election for district
judge that same year. She was re-elected without opposition in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
Gurich served as the presiding administrative judge for the Seventh Judicial District,
Oklahoma County, from January of 2003 to December 31, 2004. She presided over more
than 190 jury trials during her career as district judge. While serving as a district judge,
Gurich served as the presiding judge of both the 11th and 12th Multi-county Grand Juries
(2007–2008 and 2009–2010) by order of the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Gurich was appointed by Governor Brad Henry as the third woman justice of the Okla-
homa Supreme Court, and she took office on February 15, 2011. Gurich served as president
of the William J. Holloway, Jr. American Inn of Court from 2007 to April of 2008. She
continues as a master member of the Inn. She received the 2003 Mona Salyer Lambird
Spotlight Award from the OBA Women in Law Committee. She is a two time Journal Record
Honoree for Woman of the Year in 2005 and 2008. She is past president and member of
the Kiwanis Club of Oklahoma City, and was only the second woman president of the
ninety-year-old club when she served from 2006 to 2007. Gurich serves annually on the
Application Screening Committee for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.
She is an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where she is a volunteer
Mobile Meals driver and television camera operator. Gurich served as a missionary to
Russia in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2002, and 2004. Gurich is married to John E. Miley, who is the
general counsel of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. Gurich can be
reached at Room 238, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 or 405/521–
3839.

Justice Yvonne Kauger, District 4. A fourth generation Oklahoman, Kauger was

born in Cordell, Oklahoma, on August 3, 1937, and raised in Colony.
A graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the
Oklahoma City University School of Law, Kauger served as presiding
judge for the Court on the Judiciary, and on the Law School and Bench
and Bar Committees of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Governor
George Nigh appointed her as justice to the Oklahoma Supreme Court
on March 11, 1984. She served as the court’s chief justice from January
1997 to December 1998, and she is the only woman to serve as the
court’s chief justice and vice chief justice. She currently chairs the
Building Committee for the Oklahoma Judicial Center. Kauger founded the Gallery of the
 Judicial Branch  193

Supreme Court
Plains Indian in Colony, co-founded Red Earth, and has served as coordinator for the
Sovereignty Symposium since its inception in 1987. The symposium is a seminar on
Indian law sponsored by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Kauger has received numerous
honors and awards throughout her distinguished career including being named valedic-
torian of her graduating class at Colony High School, and graduating first in her class from
the OCU School of Law. In 1984 she was adopted by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of
Oklahoma. She was named National Delta Zeta in 1988, and received the Oklahoma City
Pioneer Award in 1989. Kauger served as the featured speaker at the Twentieth William
O. Douglas Lecture Series at Gonzaga University in 1990. She received an honorary doc-
torate degree from OCU in 1991, and has been named as an honorary alumnus by both
OCU and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In June 1999 the American Judicature
Society awarded Kauger the Herbert Harley Award in recognition of her outstanding
efforts to improve the administration of justice. That same year, the Oklahoma Bar Asso-
ciation honored her with the Judicial Excellence Award. In March 2001 Justice Kauger was
inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2004 she was named one of the
ten most notable women in Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma City Orchestra League. In
July 2004 she donated Main Street in Colony, which her great grandfather built, to South-
western Oklahoma State University to be used to promote the arts in western Oklahoma.
In 2005 Kauger received the Governor’s Art Award. In addition, she is a member of the
District State-Federal Judicial Council and the Washita County Hall of Fame. Kauger can
be reached at Room 208, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–3841.

Justice John F. Reif, District 1. Born on June 19, 1951, Reif attended Cascia Hall in
Tulsa, graduating in 1969. He attended the University of Tulsa, where
he received a bachelor’s degree in 1973 and a Juris Doctor degree in
1977. Reif’s business and professional positions include serving the
public as a police officer in Owasso from 1973 to 1975. He was employed
as a planner and grants specialist for the Law Enforcement Assistance
Administration, Indian Nations Council of Governments from 1974
to 1977. From 1978 to 1981 he worked as an assistant district attorney
for Tulsa County. In addition, he was a business law adjunct profes-
sor at Oral Roberts University from 1983 to 2007, and has served as a
faculty member for the National Tribal Judicial Center of the National Judicial College in
Reno, Nevada. He received the President’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995 from Oral
Roberts University. Reif’s judicial service includes a position as special district judge for
the Fourteenth Judicial District from 1981 to 1984. In 1984 he was appointed judge for the
Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, serving the court in that capacity until 2007, both as
the court’s vice chief judge in 1993 and 2001, and as chief judge in 1994 and 2002. On
October 22, 2007, Governor Brad Henry appointed Reif as justice to the Oklahoma Supreme
Court, and he was retained by the voters for a six-year term in 2008. Reif has been a mem-
ber of the Oklahoma Bar Association since 1978. He and his wife have been married for
thirty-five years. Reif can be reached at Room 242, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/521–3846.

Justice Joseph M. Watt, District 9. Watt was born on March 8, 1947, in Austin,
Texas. He graduated from Austin High School in 1965, received a bachelor’s degree in
history/government from Texas Tech University in 1969, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence
from the University of Texas Law School in 1972. Admitted to practice law in both Texas
 194  Oklahoma Almanac
Supreme Court
and Oklahoma, Watt moved to Altus, Oklahoma, in 1973, where he worked in private law
practice from 1973 to 1985. He also served as Altus city prosecutor
from 1973 to 1985, and as city attorney from 1980 to 1985. Watt was
appointed special district judge for Jackson County in 1985, and was
elected associate district judge in 1986. He served in that capacity
until January 1991, when he was asked to serve as general counsel in
Governor David Walters’s administration. Watt was appointed as
justice to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on May 18, 1992. Watts’s
judicial service also includes Oklahoma Supreme Court chief justice
for two terms from 2003 to 2006; and vice chief justice from 2001 to
2002; Oklahoma Judicial Conference vice president, 1993 to 1994; Oklahoma Judicial
Conference president elect, 1995; Oklahoma Judicial Conference president, 1996; Court
on the Judiciary Appellate Division, 1997–2002; and Supreme Court Liaison to the Okla-
homa Bar Association, 1997–2002. His honors include the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
Outstanding Law Student in the Nation in 1972; University of Texas Circle of Omnicron
Delta Kappa National Honorary Leadership Society, 1972; Paul Harris Fellow; Graduate
of the Inaugural Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy, 2004; Honor-
ary Alumnus, Oklahoma City University School of Law, 2005; and Honorary Highway
Patrol Trooper, 2006. He has served as secretary and as president of the Altus Rotary Club.
Watt is a member of the Oklahoma and Texas bar associations. He and his wife, Cathy,
have four grown children and three grandchildren. Watt can be reached at Room 244,
State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–3848.

Justice James R. Winchester, District 5. Winchester was born on March 23, 1952,
in Clinton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Clinton High School in
1970. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Okla-
homa in 1974, and a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City Univer-
sity in 1977. Winchester practiced law in Weatherford and Hinton
before being named associate district judge for Caddo County in
January 1983. In December 1983, at the age of thirty, Winchester
became one of the youngest district judges in the state, when he was
appointed district judge for the Sixth Judicial District of Oklahoma.
During his tenure as district judge, he tried more than 200 jury trials
ranging from fraud to first-degree murder. The Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association named
Winchester the “Outstanding State Trial Court Judge” in 1986. He served as an executive
board member of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference from 1992 to 1996. He also served as
president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference in 1995. From August 1997 to January 2000,
Winchester served as a United States administrative law judge. Governor Frank Keating
appointed him to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on January 4, 2000. Winchester and his
wife, former State Representative Susan Winchester, have one son, Davis. Winchester
believes children are one of this state’s most valuable assets, and he established the sec-
ond in-state program entitled “Children Coping With Divorce” to assist children during
that difficult time. Winchester resides in Chickasha and is a member of the Chickasha
First Presbyterian Church. Winchester can be reached at Room 202, State Capitol Build-
ing, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–3842.
 195

Court of Criminal Appeals

Constitution, Article 7 § 1
History and Function—The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court
in Oklahoma with appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases. It is the state court of last
resort in criminal matters. The court derives its origin and jurisdiction from the state
constitution, which was formulated by the constitutional convention and submitted
to and adopted by the people of Oklahoma at the first election on September 17, 1907.
Members of this court are appointed by the governor from a list of three names submit-
ted by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission.

Name City District

Clancy Smith Tulsa 1
Charles A. Johnson Norman 2
Gary L. Lumpkin Madill 3
Arlene Johnson, Presiding Judge Oklahoma City 4
David Lewis, Vice-Presiding Judge Lawton 5
Administration Office—State Capitol Building, Room 230, Oklahoma City, OK
73105  •  405/521–2156  •  www.okcca.net  •  Agency Code 199, IA

Staff Attorneys
Lendell S. Blosser Gaylene Henley
David C. Bugg Lou Ann Kohlman
Brant Elmore Maria Kolar
Byran Dupler Brad Little
Pete Gelvin Melanie Stucky
Patty Grotta M. Caroline Mitchell
Suzanne Heggy Allen Smith
Russ Wheeler
Criminal Appeals Judicial Districts
196  Oklahoma Almanac
 Judicial Branch  197

Judges of the
Court of Criminal Appeals
Presiding Judge Arlene Johnson, District 4. Johnson received a Bachelor of
Arts degree in English from the University of Oklahoma and Juris
Doctor degree from the OU School of Law. After admission to the
Oklahoma Bar on July 29, 1971, she practiced law with the Okla-
homa City law firm of Bulla and Horning, and subsequently served
as judicial law clerk to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Johnson
worked as Oklahoma County assistant district attorney and as
assistant Oklahoma Attorney General. She served as assistant
United States attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma for
twenty-one years. She received the U.S. Attorney General’s John
Marshall Award for Outstanding Legal Achievement (1998), and the FBI’s Commenda-
tion for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest (1998). Johnson is admitted to practice
before the United States Supreme Court, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the
United States District Court for the Western District. Governor Brad Henry appointed
Johnson to the Court of Criminal Appeals, District 4, on February 18, 2005. She is a
former member of the Tenth Circuit Uniform Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, the
Admissions and Grievance Committee for the Western District of Oklahoma, and is a
former member of the United States Magistrate Merit Selection Panel for the Western
District of Oklahoma. Johnson has also served as an adjunct professor at the Univer-
sity of Oklahoma College of Law. Johnson may be reached at Room 230, State Capitol
Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or 405/521–2157.

Vice Presiding Judge David Lewis, District 5. Lewis was born in Ardmore,
Oklahoma, and currently serves as vice presiding judge for 2011–2012.
Governor Brad Henry appointed him to the position on August 4,
2005. Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree with high honors from the
University of Oklahoma in 1980. He also earned his law degree from
the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1983. He spent four
years in private practice. He served four years as a Comanche
County prosecutor. Lewis served as Comanche County special
district judge from 1991 to 1999. He was a district judge for Coman-
che, Stephens, Jefferson, and Cotton counties from 1999 to 2005.
Moreover, he has served as president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference and is a
fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Most recently, Lewis was selected as a mem-
ber of the Class of 2008 Henry Toll Fellowship Program of the Council of State Govern-
ments. Lewis and his wife Dr. Sharon Lewis have a son, David Jr., and a daughter,
Danielle. Lewis can be reached at Room 230, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City,
OK 73105, or 405/521–3606.

Judge Charles A. Johnson, District 2. Johnson was born in Kansas City, Missouri,
and graduated from Ponca City High School. He attended the University of Oklahoma,
where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1955.
Johnson served in the United States Air Force and retired with the rank of colonel from
the United States Air Force Reserve, having received the Meritorious Service Medal and
 198  Oklahoma Almanac
Court of Criminal Appeals
the Legion of Merit. Following his release from active duty, Johnson practiced law in
Pawhuska. He later moved to Ponca City and began his own law
practice. He was a senior partner of Phipps, Johnson, Holmes &
Hermanson, later Johnson & Hermanson, and finally the Johnson
Law Firm. Johnson continued to be a private practitioner of law until
Governor Henry Bellmon appointed him to the Court of Criminal
Appeals in 1989. Johnson was honored as one of three Outstanding
Young Oklahomans by the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce,
and was selected the 1993 Oklahoma Trial Lawyer Association Out-
standing Appellate Judge of the Year. He is a member of the American
and Oklahoma bar associations. Johnson and his wife Janis have three children—Mike,
Jill, and Eddie. Johnson can be reached at Room 233, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma
City, OK 73105, or 405/521–2159.

Judge Gary L. Lumpkin, District 3. Originally a native of Sentinel, Oklahoma,

Lumpkin graduated from Weatherford High School in 1964. He
received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from South-
western State College in 1968, and a Juris Doctor degree from the
University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1974. Lumpkin served in
the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971, serving eighteen
months in Vietnam. He retired in 1998, after thirty years of service,
with the rank of colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves. He com-
pleted his military service as one of only two Marine Reserve judges
assigned to the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals.
Lumpkin worked as a staff attorney for the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Affairs.
He was appointed assistant district attorney for Marshall County in 1976, and subse-
quently first assistant district attorney for the Twentieth District. Lumpkin served as
associate district judge for Marshall County from 1982 to 1985, and as district judge,
Twentieth Judicial District, Division II from 1985 to 1989. Governor Henry Bellmon
appointed him to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, and he began his service on
the court in January 1989. Lumpkin was named Outstanding Young Man of America by
the U.S. Jaycees in 1979, and Outstanding Assistant District Attorney of the Third Congres-
sional District by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association in 1981. He also received
the 1999 William J. Holloway Jr. Professionalism Award from the William J. Holloway Jr.
American Inn of Court. Southwestern Oklahoma State University selected him as their
2007 Distinguished Alumnus and inducted him into the University Hall of Fame. Lump-
kin is a member of the Marine Corps Reserve Association; Oklahoma, Oklahoma Coun-
ty, and Marshall County bar associations; Oklahoma Bar Foundation; Oklahoma Judicial
Conference; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4611; and the William J. Holloway Jr. American
Inns of Court CV. From 2001 to 2007, he was a member of the National Center for State
Courts Board of Directors in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is a current member of the advi-
sory board for the Trinity Legal Clinic. Lumpkin and his wife, Barbara, are from Madill
and have one child. Lumpkin can be reached at Room 230, State Capitol Building, Okla-
homa City, OK 73105, or 405/521–4956.

Judge Clancy Smith, District 1. Smith was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of
Criminal Appeals on September 1, 2010, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Charles S.
Chapel. Smith is a native of Hugo, Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma State University,
 Judicial Branch  199

Court of Criminal Appeals

receiving a bachelor’s degree in English in 1964. She received her juris doctorate from the
University of Tulsa College of Law in 1980. She taught high school
English in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jacksonville, Florida. After graduat-
ing law school, she worked in private practice of law from 1980 to
1994. She then served as a special judge in Tulsa County from 1994 to
1998 in the family division and received the Outstanding Family Law
Judge Award from the family law section of the Oklahoma Bar Asso-
ciation in 1996. From 1996 to 2005, Smith served in the criminal divi-
sion, conducting preliminary hearings, arraignments, and bond
hearings. In 2005 Governor Brad Henry appointed Smith as district
judge in Tulsa County. From 2005 to the present, Smith has served the criminal division
and has presided over more than 110 felony jury trials. Smith is a member of the Tulsa
County Bar Association and Oklahoma Bar Association. She served as president of the
Johnson-Sontag Chapter of the America Inns of Court for three years and received the
James Sontag Award in 2010. She has two children and four grandchildren.
200

Court of Civil Appeals

20 O.S. § 30.1
History and Function—The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals is the intermediate
Court of Appeals for all civil cases filed in Oklahoma. Created by the Oklahoma Leg-
islature in 1968, six new positions were added to the original six judges of the Okla-
homa Court of Civil Appeals in 1982. With terms of six years each, judges are elected
on a non-partisan retention ballot from each of the six congressional districts as they
existed before the 2002 election. If a majority of those who cast ballots vote in favor of
retention, the judge will serve another term. If a vacancy occurs on the Court of Civil
Appeals prior to the expiration of a term, the governor appoints a successor, from three
names submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission. The clerk of the Oklahoma
Supreme Court serves as clerk of the Court of Civil Appeals. The Court of Civil Appeals
consists of twelve judges, six that sit in Oklahoma City, and six that sit in Tulsa. Those
judges from Congressional Districts 1, 2, and 3 comprise Divisions 2 and 4 in Tulsa.
Those judges from Congressional Districts 4, 5, and 6, comprise Divisions 1 and 3 in
Oklahoma City. These divisions are three-judge panels, the membership of which
changes each year. Divisions 2 and 4 in Tulsa will each be comprised of a combination
of three of the following judges: Doug Gabbard II, Jerry L. Goodman, John F. Fischer,
Keith Rapp, Deborah Barnes, and Jane P. Wiseman. Divisions 1 and 3 in Oklahoma
City are comprised of a combination of three of the following judges: Robert D. Bell,
Kenneth L. Buettner, Carol Hansen, Larry Joplin, William C. Hetherington Jr., and E.
Bay Mitchell. The chief judge and vice-chief judge are selected and rotate each year
between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Divisions 1 & 3—Oklahoma City

W. C. Hetherington Jr. Norman Carol Hansen OKC
Robert D. Bell OKC Larry Joplin OKC
Kenneth L. Buettner Edmond E. Bay Mitchell Enid
Divisions 2 & 4—Tulsa
John Fischer Tulsa W. Keith Rapp Tulsa
Doug Gabbard II Tulsa Deborah Barnes Tulsa
Jerry L. Goodman Tulsa Jane P. Wiseman Tulsa

Administration Offices
Oklahoma City—1915 N Stiles, Suite 357, Oklahoma City, OK 73105  •  405/521–3751
Tulsa—440 South Houston, Suite 601, Tulsa, OK 74127
918/581–2711  •  www.oscn.net
Clerk of the Appellate Courts—Michael S. Richie, Room B-2, State Capitol,
Oklahoma City, OK 73105  •  405/521–2163
Civil Appeals Judicial Districts
Judicial Branch  201
202  Oklahoma Almanac

Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals

Oklahoma City
Judge Kenneth L. Buettner, District 5, Office 1. Born on June 17, 1950, in Okla-
homa City, Oklahoma, Buettner received a bachelor’s degree from
Texas Christian University in 1972, and a Juris Doctor degree from
Southern Methodist University in 1975. He has completed addi-
tional graduate work at the University of Denver and the Univer-
sity of Central Oklahoma. Buettner served in the United States Air
Force from 1976 to 1980 in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Professionally, he served as president of the Oklahoma Judicial
Conference in 2005, and has served on its executive board from
2002 to 2006. Buettner’s civic participation includes Leadership
Edmond Class IX; Leadership Oklahoma Class XVI; Edmond Public School Foundation
trustee from 1995 to 2001; Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence trustee, 2001 to present;
St. John’s Endowment Fund trustee, 1995 to 2003; St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Finance Board from 1990 to 1996, and again in 2006; and the Board of Christian Educa-
tion, 1998 to 2003. He is a member of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma County bar asso-
ciations as well as the Colorado Bar and State Bar of Texas. He is an Oklahoma Bar
Foundation Sustaining Fellow, and a master of the Luther Bohanon American Inn of
Court.

Judge E. Bay Mitchell, III, Enid, District 6, Office 1. Mitchell was born on Novem-
ber 6, 1953. He grew up in Enid, Oklahoma, and graduated from
Enid High School in 1972. He attended the University of Oklahoma,
where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1976 and a Juris Doctor
degree in 1979. Mitchell worked in private law practice for fourteen
years in Oklahoma City and in Enid. In 1993 he became staff attor-
ney to the Honorable Carl B. Jones of the Oklahoma Court of
Civil Appeals. Governor Frank Keating appointed Mitchell to the
Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals in 2002, and the voters retained
him in 2004 and 2006. He served as chief judge of the Court of
Civil Appeals in 2009. Mitchell is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, and from
2008 to 2010 was on the board of directors of the Oklahoma County Bar Association,
where he also served as chairman of the C.L.E. Committee. He is also a member of the
OBA Appellate Practice Section, a Sustaining Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation,
and a member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Committee for Uniform Jury Instruc-
tions. He is a master emeritus of the Ginsburg Chapter of the American Inns of Court.
He is a former member of the OBA Administration of Justice Committee, Oklahoma
Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, and a volunteer at Legal
Aid of Western Oklahoma. He has been admitted to practice in all Oklahoma state
courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Oklahoma,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mitchell
and his wife, Debra, have three children—Elliot, Madeline, and Adam.
 Judicial Branch  203

Court of Civil Appeals

Judge Carol M. Hansen, District 6, Office 2. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
Hansen received a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree from
Oklahoma City University. Hansen served as municipal judge in
Stillwater in 1983 and as marshal for the Oklahoma Supreme Court
in 1984. She was appointed as judge to the Oklahoma Court of Civil
Appeals in 1985, and was again elected in a contested election in 1986.
In 1993 Hansen became the first woman to serve as chief judge of any
appellate court in Oklahoma. She is a member of the American Judi-
cature Society, Dispute Resolution Advisory Board, the Ginsburg Inns
of Court, and the American, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma County bar
associations. Hansen is an Oklahoma Bar Foundation Fellow. She married Paul Hansen
(deceased). She has five children—Elizabeth, Patti, Judith, Mary, and Heidi.

Judge Larry E. Joplin, District 4, Office 2. Born on August 9, 1946, in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, Joplin received a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Oklahoma. While in law school, Joplin
was selected for the Oklahoma Law Review, and Moot Court, with
his team placing third nationally his junior year. Joplin served as an
attorney with Pierce & Couch from 1971 to 1973, and Bohannon &
Barth from 1973 to 1976. He was a partner in his own law firm, Wheat-
ley & Joplin, from 1978 to 1982, and a partner with Crowe & Dunlevy
from 1982 to 1993. Joplin also served as a special prosecutor for the
Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office from 1976 to 1978, as
director of the State of Oklahoma Office, Washington, D.C. in 1993, and as general coun-
sel for the State Insurance Department from 1993 to 1994. Joplin was appointed as judge
to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals in November 1994. He married the former Susan
Colley. They have three children—Karen, David, and Matthew. Joplin’s hobbies include
travel and reading.

Judge Robert Dick Bell, District 5, Office 2. Born on May 11, 1967, in Norman, Okla-
homa, Bell graduated from the Norman Public School system. He
received a bachelor’s degree in 1989 from the University of Oklahoma
and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law
in 1992. In law school, Bell received the award for distinguished ser-
vice to the House of Delegates for recognition of being elected to
office all three years of school. Following law school, Bell worked in
private law practice in Norman for thirteen years. During the same
time, he served as municipal judge for the cities of Blanchard, Broken
Arrow, Noble, Moore, and Purcell. Appointed to the bench in 1994,
Bell was the youngest sitting judge in Oklahoma. He has served as an adjunct professor
at the University of Oklahoma College of Law since 1998. In June 2005 Governor Brad
Henry appointed Bell to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. He was retained in a state-
wide vote in 2006. The Journal Record named Bell as one of Oklahoma’s Achievers Under
40 (Class III) in 2006. He is an admitted member of the District of Columbia and Okla-
homa bar associations. Bell and his wife, Carolyn, have two children—Bradleigh and
Addy.
 204  Oklahoma Almanac
Court of Civil Appeals
Judge William C. Hetherington Jr., District 4, Office 1. Born in February 1947, in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hetherington has been a sixty-three year
resident of Norman, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Norman High
School, the University of Oklahoma, and received the Juris Doctor
degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1979. He
served on the OCU School of Law Alumni Board of Trustees through
the end of his term in 2004. Hetherington’s judicial career began in
1982 as a special district judge. He retired from the bench and worked
in private practice law from 1986 through 1991. He was appointed
district judge in Cleveland County in 1992, He was re-elected to five
four-year consecutive terms, unopposed. Hetherington has served the judicial branch as
a district judge since that time. During his tenure as district judge, he served as chief judge
for Judicial District 21, Cleveland County, for seven terms, and was elected by his peers
as presiding judge of the South Central Administrative Judicial District, serving in that
capacity in 2001 and 2002. He also served on the Oklahoma State Judicial Conference
Executive Board for six years, and as president of the Conference in 2000. Hetherington
shared both civil and criminal felony case load dockets with District Judge Tom Lucas
and District Judge Lori Walkley, while serving in Cleveland County. He has extensive
experience in handling mass tort litigation, having been assigned judge in the State of
Oklahoma Attorney General Tobacco case, several oil field class-action cases, and class-
action tort cases involving the Oklahoma Walmart employees and the “Hepatitis C”
cases out of central Oklahoma. He was assigned judge and responsible for judicial admin-
istration of the Cleveland County Community Corrections Intervention system. He
designed and implemented the Cleveland County Mental Health Court, and was co-
assigned judge with Judge Jequita Napoli. In 2000 Hetherington was nominated by the
Judicial Nominating Commission as one of three nominees to then Governor Frank
Keating for appointment consideration to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Governor Brad
Henry appointed Hetherington to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals on November 19,
2009. He regularly serves as a visiting lecturer at the University of Oklahoma School of
Law, and is a master member and past president of the Luther Bohanon American Inn
of Court.

Tulsa
Judge Jerry L. Goodman, District 1, Office 1. Born in Mangum,
Oklahoma, Goodman received a bachelor’s degree from the University
of Tulsa in 1961, and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University
in 1964. He was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
on July 26, 1994. He is a member of the Oklahoma and Tulsa County
bar associations, and the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. Goodman
and his wife, Donna, have four children—Courtney, Polly, Mallory,
and Benjamin.

Judge Jane P. Wiseman, District 1, Office 2. Currently the chief judge of the Okla-
homa Court of Civil Appeals, Wiseman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell
University in 1969, a Master of Arts degree in American History from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of
Tulsa College of Law in 1973. She began clerking for Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold in her
 Judicial Branch  205

Court of Civil Appeals

second term in law school, and continued as a legal intern and later as an associate until
her first child was born in 1975. Wiseman worked as a sole practitio-
ner until January 1977, when she was appointed as special judge for
Tulsa County. In 1981 she became district judge, where she was
assigned first to the Family Relations Division and then to the Civil
Division. In March 2005 Governor Brad Henry appointed her to the
Court of Civil Appeals. Wiseman has served on the faculty of the
National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, and has taught case man-
agement for the American Academy of Judicial Education. Wiseman
has also served on both the Trial and Appellate Divisions of the Court
on the Judiciary. She is married to Jim Hodges and has two sons—Jamie and John. She
also has two sons-by-marriage—Clayton and Kevin.

Judge Keith Rapp, District 2, Office 2. Born on May 2, 1934, in Wheelersburg, Ohio,
Rapp received a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri Univer-
sity. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa
and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia. He
attended law school and was named Outstanding First-Year Law
Student, awarded a Scholarship Key, named three times to the Dean’s
List, and was a member of the Tulsa Law Review. Rapp worked as
public defender and city prosecutor in Broken Arrow, as a municipal
judge in Bixby, as an alternative municipal judge for the City of
Tulsa, and as judge of the District Fourteen Court. He was appointed
as judge to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals in 1984. Rapp served as an instructor of
Sino Soviet Relations and Atomic and Biological Warfare in the Naval Reserves Officers’
School, and as a business law instructor at Tulsa Junior College. He also served as Tulsa
Junior College regent. He served as counsel and director of banks and as director of two
national insurance companies. Rapp is a member of the Oklahoma and Tulsa County bar
associations. He married the former Mary Lynn Clanton. He has three children—Elizabeth,
Kathy, and Joseph from a previous marriage.

Judge Deborah Barnes, District 2, Office 1. Born in 1954 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Barnes
is a native of Sand Springs. She received a bachelor’s degree in jour-
nalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1976, and in 1983, a Juris
Doctor degree, with distinction, from the Oklahoma City University
School of Law where she graduated first in her class. Barnes was an
attorney with Crowe & Dunlevy and subsequently a staff attorney for
retired Supreme Court Justice Ralph Hodges. In 1989 she resumed
private practice at Stack and Barnes in Oklahoma City until 1991, when
Barnes moved to Tulsa to join Transok. Barnes was named vice
president, human resources and administration for Transok in 1996,
and later became vice president, secretary, and associate general counsel for ONEOK,
Inc., from 1997–2001. In 2002 she joined the firm of Crutchmer, Browers, & Barnes. In 2008
Governor Brad Henry appointed her to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. Barnes is a
member of the American, Oklahoma, and Tulsa bar associations and past chairperson
of the Oklahoma Board of Board Examiners. She is an Oklahoma Fellow of the American
Bar Foundation; served as chair of the OBA Mineral Law Section; chair of the Tulsa
County Court Operations Committee; and was a barrister of the American Inns of Court,
 206  Oklahoma Almanac
Court of Civil Appeals
Council Oak Chapter of Tulsa. She is a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class XII, and
First United Methodist Church of Tulsa. Barnes has been married to Ronald M. Barnes,
an attorney, since 1974 and they have one son—Grayson.

Judge Doug Gabbard II, District 3, Office 1. Born in Lindsay, Oklahoma, Gabbard
was a National Merit finalist and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received
a bachelor’s degree in 1974 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1977. While attending OU, Gabbard
was a member of the debate team and the National Mock Trial team. He also attended the
National Judicial College and the University of Kansas Law and Organizational Economics
Center. After graduating from law school, Gabbard worked two years in private practice and
as a city judge, three years as a county attorney, and three years as first assistant district
attorney and county legal advisor for Atoka, Bryan, and Coal counties. In 1985 Governor
George Nigh appointed him district judge for the Twenty-fifth District, where he served
for twenty years. During this period, fellow judges elected him to fourteen consecutive
terms as presiding judge for southeastern Oklahoma. He also served as presiding judge
for the State Court of Criminal Appeals emergency panel, presiding judge for the State
Court of Tax Review panel, vice-presiding judge of the State Court on the Judiciary, and
director of the Oklahoma Trial Judges Association. In September 2004, he was nominated
for appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In September 2005, Governor Brad
Henry appointed him to the State Court of Civil Appeals. Gabbard attends the First United
Methodist Church, and is a 32nd degree Mason. He is a Native American and a member
of the Chickasaw Nation, currently serving as chairman of its Ethics Commission. Gab-
bard has received many honors including a distinguished service award from the State
Disabled American Veterans, and he has been included in both Who’s Who in American
Law and Who’s Who in America. Gabbard is married to Pethi Hayes-Gabbard, an attorney
in Atoka. He has five children.

Judge John F. Fischer, District 3, Office 2. Born September 23, 1948, in Stillwater,
Oklahoma, Fischer received a bachelor and master’s degree in Eng-
lish Literature from the University of Oklahoma. He received a Juris
Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1975, and was
admitted to practice law in Oklahoma in 1976. He has been admitted
to practice before the United States Supreme Court since 1979. From
1976 to 1980 Fischer served as an assistant attorney general for the
State of Oklahoma. He was in private law practice from 1980 to 2006,
during which time he was selected by his peers as one of the “Best
Lawyers in America” in commercial litigation. While in law school,
Fischer received the Liberty National Bank Research Scholarship. He is a Master of the
Bench and past president of the William J. Holloway American Inn of Court, CV, member
of the Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, and author of various articles on antitrust law and
health care issues. He has been involved in various arts and community activities, and
served as a member and chair of several state and county bar committees. He is a mem-
ber of the American and Oklahoma bar associations, the Oklahoma Judicial Conference,
a fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, and the past Oklahoma representative to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Advisory Committee. In May 2006
Governor Brad Henry appointed Fischer to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. Fisch-
er and his wife, Pam, have been married since 1972. They have two daughters—Jennifer
and Andrea.
 207

10th Circuit Court of Appeals

Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming
This court sits primarily at Denver, Colorado; however, it is customary to hold at least
one session annually in other cities in the circuit. Sessions may last as long as one week
and are usually held every other month.  •  www.ca10.uscourts.gov

Chief Circuit Judge Monroe C. McKay

Mary Beck Briscoe Suite 6012, Federal Building
645 Massachusetts, Suite 400 Salt Lake City, UT 84138–1181
Lawrence, KS 66044–2235 801/524–5252
785/843–4067 Robert McWilliams, Jr.
Stephanie K. Seymour Byron White U.S. Courthouse
4–562 U. S. Courthouse Denver, CO 80257
Tulsa, OK 74103–3877 303/844–3430
918/699–4745 William J. Holloway, Jr.
Bobby R. Baldock Federal Building
PO Box 2388 Oklahoma City, OK 73101–1767
Roswell, NM 88202–2388 405/609–5420
505/625–2388 Harris Hartz
Wade Brorby 301 Third Street NW, Suite 1870
PO Box 1028 Albuquerque, NM 87102
Cheyenne, WY 82003–1028 505/843–6196
307/772–2885 Terrence O’Brien
David M. Ebel 2120 Capitol Avenue
Byron White U.S. Courthouse Cheyenne, WY 82001
Denver, CO 80257 307/433–2400
303/844–3800 Timothy M. Tymkovich
Paul. J. Kelly Jr. 1823 Stout Street
PO Box 10113 Denver, CO 80257
Santa Fe, NM 87504–6113 303/844–3157
505/988–6541 Jerome Holmes
Scott Matheson Jr. 2421 U.S. Courthouse
125 S State Street, Suite 5402 200 NW 4 Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84138 Oklahoma City, OK 73102
801/524–5145 405/609–5440
Stephen H. Anderson Neil Gorsuch
4201 Federal Building Byron White U.S. Courthouse
Salt Lake City, UT 84138–1102 Denver, CO 80257
801/524–6950 303/844–3430
Carlos F. Lucero Deanell R. Tacha
Byron White U.S. Courthouse, 643 Massachusetts Street
Room 422 Lawrence, KS 66044–2292
Denver, CO 80257 785/842–8556
303/844–2200 Circuit Executive—Dave Tighe
Michael R. Murphy Byron White U.S. Courthouse
5438 Federal Building Denver, CO 80257
Salt Lake City, UT 84138–1181 303/844–2067
801/524–5955 Clerk—Elisabeth A. Shumaker
John C. Porfilio Byron White U.S. Courthouse
Byron White U.S. Courthouse Denver, CO 80257
Denver, CO 80257 303/844–3157
303/335–2871
208

Courts of General Jurisdiction

District Courts
Article VII: Section 7, 20:92.1
Judicial Judicial
District Administrative District Administrative
1 Northwestern 14 Tulsa-Pawnee
2 Northwestern 15 East Central
3 Southwestern 16 Southeastern
4 Northwestern 17 Southeastern
5 Southwestern 18 East Central
6 Southwestern 19 Southeastern
7 Oklahoma 20 South Central
8 North Central 21 South Central
9 North Central 22 South Central
10 Northeastern 23 North Central
11 Northeastern 24 East Central
12 Northeastern 25 Southeastern
13 Northeastern 26 Canadian
 209

Judges of the District Courts

East Central Judicial Administrative District
Thomas H. Alford, Presiding Judge

15th Judicial District (Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Sequoyah,

Wagoner Counties)
Division I—Wagoner and Cherokee Counties
District Judge.......................................................Darrell Shepherd
Associate District Judges—
Cherokee County..............................Mark L. Dobbins
Wagoner County...............................Dennis Shook
Special Judges, Cherokee County.............Saundra Crosslin  Holli Pursley
Special Judge, Wagoner County................Douglas Kirkley
Division II—Muskogee County
District Judges......................................................Mike Norman  Thomas H. Alford
Associate District Judge.............................Norman D. Thygesen
Special Judges.............................................Robin Watt Adair  A. Carl Robinson
Division III—Adair and Sequoyah Counties
District Judge.......................................................Jeff Payton
Associate District Judges
Adair County.....................................L. Elizabeth Brown
Sequoyah County..............................Dennis M. Sprouse
Special Judge, Sequoyah County...............Vacant

18th Judicial District (McIntosh and Pittsburg Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Thomas Bartheld
Associate District Judges—
McIntosh County..............................Jim Pratt
Pittsburg County...............................Jim D. Bland
Special Judges, Pittsburg County..............William H. Layden Jr.  Donnita Wynn

24th Judicial District (Creek, Okfuskee, and Okmulgee Counties)

Division I—Creek County
District Judges......................................................Douglas W. Golden  Joe Sam Vassar
Associate District Judge.............................Mark Ihrig
Special Judges.............................................Richard Woolery  Vacant
Division II—Okfuskee County
District Judge.......................................................Lawrence W. Parish
Associate District Judge.............................David N. Martin
Division III—Okmulgee County
District Judges......................................................Ken Adair  H. Michael Claver
Associate District Judge.............................Duane A. Woodliff
Special Judge...............................................Cynthia Pickering
 210  Oklahoma Almanac
District Courts
North Central Judicial Administrative District
D.W. Boyd, Presiding Judge

8th Judicial District (Kay and Noble Counties)

District Judge.......................................................D.W. Boyd
Associate District Judges—
Kay County........................................Phillip A. Ross
Noble County....................................Danny G. Allen
Special Judge, Kay County.........................Vacant

9th Judicial District (Logan and Payne Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Phillip C. Corley
Associate District Judges—
Logan County....................................Louis A. Duel Jr.
Payne County....................................Stephen Kistler
Special Judge, Logan County.....................Vacant
Special Judges, Payne County....................Vacant  Michael Stano

23rd Judicial District (Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties)

District Judges......................................................John Canavan  Paul Vassar
Associate District Judges—
Lincoln County..................................Shiela Kirk
Pottawatomie County.......................John D. Gardner
Special Judges, Pottawatomie County......David Cawthon  Dawson Engle

Northeastern Judicial Administrative District

J. Dwayne Steidley, Presiding Judge

10th Judicial District (Osage County)

District Judge.......................................................John Kane
Associate District Judge.............................Bruce David Gambill
Special Judge...............................................Stephen Tate

11th Judicial District (Nowata and Washington Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Curtis L. DeLapp
Associate District Judges—
Nowata County..................................Carl G. Gibson
Washington County..........................Russell Vaclaw
Special Judges, Washington County.........John M. Gerkin  Kyra K. Williams

12th Judicial District (Craig, Mayes, and Rogers Counties)

District Judges.............................................. Terry McBride  Dynda R. Post  J. Dwayne Steidley
Associate District Judges—
Craig County.............................. Gary L. Maxey
 Judicial Branch  211

District Courts
Mayes County............................ Shawn Taylor
Rogers County........................... Sheila A. Condren
Special Judge, Mayes County............. Rebecca Gore
Special Judges, Rogers County.......... Stephen Pazzo  Terrell Crosson  Erin Oquin

13th Judicial District (Delaware and Ottawa Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Robert G. Haney
Associate District Judges—
Delaware County..............................Barry V. Denney
Ottawa County...................................Robert E. Reavis II
Special Judge, Delaware County...............Alicia Littlefield
Special Judge, Ottawa County...................William E. Culver

Northwestern Judicial Administrative District

Ray Dean Linder, Presiding Judge

1st Judicial District (Beaver, Cimarron, Harper, and Texas Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Greg A. Zigler
Associate District Judges—
Beaver County...................................Gerald H. Riffe
Cimarron County..............................Ronald L. Kincannon
Harper County...................................Wayne Olmstead
Texas County.....................................Ryan D. Reddick

2nd Judicial District (Beckham, Custer, Ellis, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties)
District Judge.......................................................Doug Haught
Associate District Judges—
Beckham County...............................Michele Kirby-Roper
Custer County....................................Jill Weedon
Ellis County.......................................Joe L. Jackson
Roger Mills County...........................Pat ver Steeg
Washita County.................................Christopher Kelly
Special Judge, Custer County....................Donna Dirickson

4th Judicial District (Alfalfa, Blaine, Dewey, Garfield, Grant, Kingfisher, Major,
Woods, and Woodward Counties)
Division I—Alfalfa, Dewey, Major, Woods, and Woodward Counties
District Judge.......................................................Ray Dean Linder
Associate District Judges—
Alfalfa County....................................Loren E. Angle
Dewey County...................................Rick Bozarth
Major County....................................Tim Haworth
Woods County...................................Mickey J. Hadwiger
Woodward County............................Don Work
Division II—Blaine, Garfield, Grant, and Kingfisher Counties
District Judges......................................................Paul Woodward  Dennis Hladik
 212  Oklahoma Almanac
District Courts
Associate District Judges—
Blaine County....................................Mark A. Moore
Garfield County.................................Tom Newby
Grant County.....................................Jack Hammontree
Kingfisher County.............................Robert Davis
Special Judges, Garfield County................Norman L. Gray  Vacant

Oklahoma Judicial Administrative District

Vicki L. Robertson, Presiding Judge

7th Judicial District (Oklahoma County)

District Judges— Special Judges—
Jerry D. Bass Stephen Alcorn
Tammy Bass-Lesure James B. Croy
Glenn Jones D. Fred Doak
Donald Deason Don Easter
Bryan C. Dixon Barry Hafer
Ray C. Elliott Russell D. Hall
Twyla Mason-Gray Lisa K. Hammond
Bill Graves Howard Haralson
Noma D. Gurich Charles G. Humble
Daniel L. Owens Glenn M. Jones
Patricia G. Parrish Larry A. Jones
Lisa Davis Roma M. McElwee
Cindy Truong Lynn McGuire
Barbara G. Swinton Marth Oakes
Kenneth C Watson Gregory J. Ryan
Associate District Judges— Larry Shaw
Richard Kirby Roger H. Stuart
Geary L. Walke
Allen J. Welch Jr.

Canadian Judicial Administrative District

Vicki L. Robertson, Presiding Judge

26th Judicial District (Canadian County)

District Judge.......................................................Gary E. Miller
Associate District Judge.............................Bob Hughey
Special Judges.............................................Gary D. McCurdy  Jack McCurdy  Vacant

South Central Judicial Administrative District

Candace Blalock, Presiding Judge
 Judicial Branch  213

District Courts
20th Judicial District (Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall, and Murray Counties)
Division I—Carter County
District Judge.......................................................Dennis Morris
Associate District Judge.............................Lee Card
Special Judge...............................................Stephen Baldwin
Division II—Johnston, Love, Marshall, and Murray Counties
District Judge.......................................................Wallace Coppedge
Associate District Judges—
Johnston County...............................Robert M. Highsmith
Love County......................................Charles E. Roberts
Marshall County................................Richard A. Miller
Murray County..................................Aaron Duck

21st Judicial District (Cleveland, Garvin, and McClain Counties)

Division I—Cleveland County
District Judges......................................................Tracy Schumacher  Tom Lucas  Lori Walkley
Associate District Judge.............................Stephen W. Bonner
Special Judges.............................................Janet A. Foss  Michael Tupper
Jequita H. Napoli  Steven Stice
Division II—Garvin and McClain Counties
District Judge.......................................................Greg Dixon
Associate District Judges—
Garvin County...................................John A. Blake
McClain County................................Charles Gray
Special Judge, Garvin County....................Trisha A. Misak
Special Judge, McClain County.................Gary D. Barger

22nd Judicial District (Hughes, Pontotoc, and Seminole Counties)

Division I—Pontotoc County
District Judge.......................................................Tom S. Landrith
Associate District Judge.............................Martha K. Kilgore
Special Judge...............................................John David Miller
Division II—Seminole County
District Judges......................................................George W. Butner  Gary Snow
Associate District Judge.............................Timothy Olsen
Special Judge...............................................Gayla M. Arnold
Division III—Hughes County
District Judge.......................................................George W. Butner Gary Snow
Associate District Judge.............................Gordon Allen
 214  Oklahoma Almanac
District Courts
Southeastern Judicial Administrative District
Williard Driesel, Presiding Judge

16th Judicial District (Haskell, Latimer, and LeFlore Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Jonn Sullivan
Associate District Judges—
Haskell County..................................Brian Henderson
Latimer County.................................Bill D. Welch
LeFlore County..................................Ted A. Knight
Special Judge, LeFlore County...................Jeffrey Singer  Vacant

17th Judicial District (Choctaw, McCurtain, and Pushmataha Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Willard Driesel
Associate District Judges—
Choctaw County................................James R. Wolfe
McCurtain County............................Michael D. DeBerry
Pushmataha County.........................Jana Wallace
Special Judges, McCurtain County...........John W. Dewitt  Gary L. Brock

19th Judicial District (Bryan County)

District Judge.......................................................Mark Campbell
Associate District Judge.............................Rocky L. Powers
Special Judge...............................................Trace C. Sherrill

25th Judicial District (Atoka and Coal Counties)

District Judges......................................................Richard E. Branam
Associate District Judges—
Atoka County.....................................Preston Harbuck
Coal County.......................................Clay D. Mowdy

Southwestern Judicial Administrative District

Charles Allen McCall, Presiding Judge

3rd Judicial District (Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, and Tillman Counties)
District Judge.......................................................Richard Darby
Associate District Judges—
Greer County.....................................Danny R. Deaver
Harmon County................................W. Mike Warren
Jackson County.................................Clark E. Huey
Kiowa County....................................Norman L. Russell
Tillman County.................................Bradford L. Benson
Special Judge, Jackson County..................Brad Leverett
 Judicial Branch  215

District Courts
5th Judicial District (Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, and Stephens Counties)
Division I—Comanche and Cotton Counties
District Judges......................................................Keith Bryon Aycock  Gerald F. Neuwirth
Charles Allen McCall Jr  Mark Randall Smith
Associate District Judges—
Comanche County............................C. William Stratton
Cotton County...................................Michael C. Flanagan
Special Judges, Comanche County...........Kenny D. Harris  Joe B. Reeves
Division II—Jefferson and Stephens Counties
District Judges......................................................Joe H. Enos
Associate District Judges—
Jefferson County................................Dennis Gay
Stephens County...............................Brent G. Russell
Special Judge, Stephens County................Carl O. LaMar

6th Judicial District (Caddo and Grady Counties)

District Judge.......................................................Richard G. Van Dyck
Associate District Judges—
Caddo County...................................S. Wyatt Hill
Grady County....................................John E. Herndon
Special Judge, Grady County.....................Timothy A. Brauer
Special Judge, Caddo County....................David A. Stephens

Tulsa-Pawnee Judicial Administrative District

J. Michael Gassett, Presiding Judge

14th Judicial District (Tulsa and Pawnee Counties)

District Judges— Special Judges—
Daman H. Cantrell Mark Barcus
James M. Capulo Terry Bitting
Carlo Chapelle Stephen Clark
Mary Fitzgerald Teresa Dreiling
Doris Fransein Carl Funderbunk
Tom C. Gillert Kyle B. Haskins
Curt Glassco Charles Hogshead
Jesse S. Harris Allen Klein
William C. Kellough Deborrah Ludi-Leitch
Dana Kuehn Dawn Moody
Linda G. Morrissey Millie Otey
Bill Musseman Kirsten Pace
Rebecca Nightingale Wilma Palmer
Jefferson D. Sellers Clifford J. Smith
P. Thomas Thornbrugh Sarah Day Smith
Associate District Judges— Rodney Sparkman
Tulsa County................Dana Kuehn David Youll
Pawnee County............Matthew D. Henry
216  Oklahoma Almanac

Court on the Judiciary

Article VII, Section 1; Article VII, Section A:2

Appellate Division
Name Designated By
Tom Colbert Oklahoma Supreme Court
Steven W. Taylor Oklahoma Supreme Court
Gary L. Lumpkin Court of Criminal Appeals
Bryce L. Hodgden Oklahoma Bar Association
Edward Cunningham Secretary of State
Bryan C. Dixon Secretary of State
Vacant Secretary of State
Vacant Secretary of State
Vacant Secretary of State

Trial Division
Name Designated By
W.B. Heckenkemper Oklahoma Bar Association
Williard Driesel Secretary of State
Ray C. Elliott Secretary of State
Tom Gilert Secretary of State
Tom S. Landrith Secretary of State
Jefferson Sellers Secretary of State
Vacant Secretary of State
Mark Smith Secretary of State
Richard Van Dyck Secretary of State

Administrative Office—1915 N Stiles, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 •

405/521–2450 • Michael Richie, Clerk of the Supreme Court, Clerk of the Court on the
Judiciary.

Judges of the Court of Tax Review

(Statutory re-creation of the Court of Tax Review
can be found in 68 O.S. Supp 1998, Sec. 3024)
History and Function—The Court of Tax Review is vested with jurisdiction to hear
complaints relating to ad valorem taxation. Actions may be brought by—railroad and
public service corporations as to the valuation of property by the State Board of Equal-
ization; a district attorney, upon direction of the Board of County Commissioners as to
the intra-county or inter-county equalization; a county assessor as to the orders of the
Oklahoma Tax Commission relating to non-compliance of the county assessor with the
regulations governing the four-year revaluation cycle; a taxpayer as to the illegalities
in ad valorem tax levies; a taxpayer as to illegalities in the budget for the taxing entities
 Judicial Branch  217

within the county; or through requests of the Oklahoma Tax Commission for reimburse-
ment of costs resulting from the supervision of the county in the validation of property
due to noncompliance with the regulations governing the four-year revaluation cycle.

Administrative Office—1915 N Stiles, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 •

405/521–2450.

Judges of the Workers’ Compensation Court

Constitution, Article 7 § 1; 85 O.S. § 1.2 (State Industrial Court)
Michael J. Harkey, Presiding Judge—Oklahoma City
Eric W. Quandt, Vice Presiding Judge—Tulsa
C. Kent Eldridge Oklahoma City Bob Lake Grove Oklahoma City
Owen T. Evans Tulsa John M. McCormick Oklahoma City
Cherri Farrar Oklahoma City Gene Prigmore Oklahoma City
William R. Foster Jr. Oklahoma City David Reid Tulsa

History and Function—The Workers’ Compensation Court was created in 1951 as

a statutory agency known as the State Industrial Commission. The commission was
renamed the State Industrial Court and added to the Judicial Department by consti-
tutional amendment in 1967. The court was changed in composition and renamed by
statute in 1978. The court is a court of record that adjudicates workers’ compensation
cases. Court awards and decisions are final and conclusive unless appealed to the
Oklahoma Supreme Court. The court sits in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and may conduct
hearings in any city of the state. It consists of ten judges appointed by the governor
upon recommendation of the Judicial Nominating Commission and subject to Senate
Confirmation. Judges are eligible for reappointment. The governor appoints a presiding
judge from among the judges for a two-year term. A presiding judge may serve two
terms in succession. The presiding judge may appoint a vice presiding judge to serve
during the absence, disability, or disqualification of the presiding judge.

Administration—Michael Clingman, Administrator; Tom Hall, Assistant

Administrator; Robert L. Tharp, Court Clerk; Tish Sommer, Special Counsel.
Personnel—86 non-merit, exempt employees.
Address—1915 N Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105; 405/522–8600;
Tulsa—440 S Houston, Room 210, Tulsa, OK 74127; 918/581–2714
Website—www.owcc.state.ok.us

Assembly of Presiding Judges

(By order of the Supreme Court)
Jud. Admin. Dist. Presiding Judge Courthouse
Southwestern 3, 5 & 6 Charles Allen McCall Comanche County
Northwestern 1, 2 & 4 Dean Linder Woods County
Northeastern 10, 11, 12 & 13 J. Dwayne Steidley Rogers County
218  Oklahoma Almanac

Southeastern 16, 17, 19 & 25 Williard Driesel McCurtain County

Okla. & Canadian 7 & 26 Daniel L. Owens Oklahoma County
South Central 20, 21 & 22 Candace Blalock Garvin County
Tulsa-Pawnee 14 D. Thomas Thornbrugh Tulsa County
East Central 15, 18 & 24 Thomas M. Bartheld Pittsburg County
North Central 8, 9 & 23 D.W. Boyd Kay County

History and Function—By order of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, on and after
January 9, 1969, all district and associate district judges selected for service in courts,
sitting within a statutorily designated judicial administrative district (as prescribed by
20 O.S. Supp. 1968 [S] 22), assemble to select a district judge as presiding judge of their
respective administrative district. Subject only to the rules, orders, and directives of the
Oklahoma Supreme Court or the chief justice, the presiding judge shall have general
administrative authority and supervision over all courts within the district and over all
judicial personnel and court officials serving in the district; this authority shall include,
but not be limited to, temporary intra-district assignment of any judge or court official
to service or duty with a court other than that for which he was selected or to which he
was originally assigned. The Administrative Office of the Courts assists the Assembly
of Presiding Judges in administrative matters.

Administration—Administrative Office of the Courts, 1915 N Stiles, Suite 305,

Oklahoma City, OK 73105 • 405/521–2450.

Judicial Nominating Commission

Article VII, Section B:3
Allen Smallwood, Chair Tulsa Rami Masri Monkey Island
Mark D. Antinoro Pryor Patrick A. Steward Ringling
Dan Little Madill Chelle Sandell Shawnee
Jim Loftis Norman Jenny Dunning Oklahoma City
Larry D. Ottaway Oklahoma City Rob McClendon Stillwater
Stephen D. Beam Weatherford Richard Fisher Tulsa
Kimberly Fobbs Broken Arrow

History and Function—Established as part of the Judicial Department, the com-

mission consists of thirteen members: six members appointed by the governor, one
from each of the six congressional districts as they existed before the 2002 election; six
members elected from and by the membership of the Oklahoma Bar Association; and
one member at large who shall not have been admitted to the practice of law in any
state, to be selected by no fewer than eight members of the commission. The commis-
sion has jurisdiction to determine whether the qualifications of nominees for judicial
office have been met and to determine the existence of vacancies on the commission.

Administration—1915 N Stiles, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 • 405/521–2450.

FAX (405)521–6815
 Judicial Branch  219

Dispute Resolution Advisory Board

Article 12, Section 1803.1
Christina Winkel Roach Oklahoma City Michael T. Oakley Oklahoma City
Jonna Geitgy Oklahoma City Ted Roberts Norman
Stan Foster Oklahoma City Terry Winn Edmond
Carol M. Hansen Oklahoma City Lisa Yates Oklahoma City
Bobbie Burbridge Lane Oklahoma City

History and Function—The Oklahoma Dispute Resolution System began in No-

vember 1986 and focuses on mediation services. The statutory purpose is to provide
Oklahomans a fast, economical way to solve conflicts. The Early Settlement service has
offices throughout the state to handle conflicts between neighbors, family members,
landlords and tenants, customers and merchants, employers and employees, room-
mates, farmers/lenders, or victims/offenders. All mediators are trained and must be
certified by the court administrator. Mediators do not order decisions, but function
as neutral facilitators, encouraging communication and creative problem solving.
Proceedings are voluntary, confidential, and may not be used in any court litigation.

Administration—Sue D. Tate, ADRS System Director; Michael E. Evans, ex officio •

Administrative Office of the Courts, 1915 N Stiles, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
• 405/521–2450.

Council on Judicial Complaints

Article 20, Section 1652
History and Function—Created by the 1974 Oklahoma Legislature as the investi-
gatory body for the Court on the Judiciary, the council is empowered to investigate
all complaints made against a member of the judiciary. The council may dismiss a
complaint, refer it to the chief justice for discipline, or recommend that the matter be
made the subject of proceedings before the Court on the Judiciary. The council consists
of three members. They serve staggered five-year terms and may serve no more than
two terms on the council.

Council Members— Gary C. Clark, Chair; Len D. Huff, Vice Chair; and Dr. Leroy
Milton, member.
Administration—Eric Mitts, Director; Laurie Robinson, Principal Assistant; Terry
West, General Counsel • 1901 N Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 •
405/522–4800, FAX 405/522–4752.
220  Oklahoma Almanac

District Attorneys
For more information about district attorneys and their assistants, contact the District
Attorneys Council, 421 NW 13 Street, Suite 290,Oklahoma City, OK 73103 • 405/264–5000
• Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday • Suzanne McClain Atwood, Executive
Coordinator; Trent H. Baggett, Assistant Executive Coordinator • 1200 non-merit, unclas-
sified employees.

Dist. Name Address City Zip Telephone Fax

1 Mike Boring (R) 319 N Main Guymon 73942 580/338–3730 580/338–0528
2 Dennis Smith (D) P.O. Box 36 Arapaho 73620 580/323–3232 580/323–9377
3 John M. Wampler (D) 101 N Main Altus 73521 580/482–5334 580/482–5346
4 Mike Fields (R) 114 W Broadway Enid 73701 580/233–1311 580/233–7065
5 Robert Schulte (D) 315 SW 5 St., Rm. 502 Lawton 73501 580/585–4444 580/585–4435
6 Jason Hicks (R) 101 S 11 Street Duncan 73533 580/255–8726 580/255–1889
7 David Prater (D) 320 Robt. S. Kerr, #505 Okla. City 73102 405/713–1600 405/235–1567
8 Brian Hermanson (R) 201 S Main Newkirk 74647 580/362–2571 580/362–2335
9 Robert L. Hudson (R) 606 S Husband, Rm. 213 Stillwater 74074 405/372–4883 405/372–4590
10 Rex Duncan (R) 628 ½ Kihekah, 3rd Floor Pawhuska 74056 918/287–1510 918/287–3137
11 Kevin Buchanan (R) 400 S Johnstone Bartlesville 74003 918/337–2860 918/337–2896
12 Ernest “Gene” Haynes (R) 219 S Missouri Claremore 74017 918/341–3164 918/341–3693
13 Eddie Wyant (D) PO Box 528 Jay 74346 918/253–4217 918/253–4183
14 Timothy Harris (R) 500 S Denver, Suite 900 Tulsa 74103 918/596–4805 918/596–4830
15 Larry Moore (D) 220 State Street Muskogee 74401 918/682–3374 918/687–3347
16 Jeff Smith (D) P.O. Box 880 Poteau 74953 918/647–2245 918/647–3209
17 Mark Matloff (D) 108 N Central Idabel 74745 580/286–7611 580/286–7613
18 Farley Ward (D) 115 E Carl Albert Pkwy. McAlester 74501 918/423–1324 918/423–8575
19 Emily Redman (D) 117 N 3rd Durant 74701 580/924–4032 580/924–3596
20 Craig Ladd (D) 20 “B” Street, SW, Ste. 202 Ardmore 73401 580/223–9674 580/221–5504
21 Greg Mashburn (D) 201 S Jones, Suite 210 Norman 73069 405/321–8268 405/360–7840
22 William Peterson (D) P.O. Box 146 Ada 74821 580/332–0341 580/332–7393
23 Richard Smothermon (D) 325 N Broadway Shawnee 74801 405/275–6800 405/275–3575
24 Max Cook (R) 222 E Dewey, Suite 302 Sapulpa 74066 918/224–3921 918/227–6346
25 Rob Barris (D) 314 W 7th Street Okmulgee 74447 918/756–0794 918/756–4712
26 Hollis Thorp (R) 1600 Main Street, Suite 5 Woodward 73801 580/256–8616 580/256–3959
27 Brian Kuester (R) 213 W Delaware Tahlequah 74464 918/456–6173 918/456–1885