Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology

Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology

Great Seal of Oklahoma
Agency overview
Formed	1987
Headquarters	755 Research Parkway Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Employees	26
Annual budget	$38 million
Minister responsible	Stephen W. S. McKeever, Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
Agency executive	C. Michael Carolina, Executive Director
Website	Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, or ex officio members.

The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 10, 2011. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs.

The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon.

Leadership

The Center is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Stephen W. S. McKeever is currently serving as the Secretary.

Board of Directors

The Board of Director is composed of 19 voting members, five ex officio members and 14 appointed by the Governor. The five ex officio members are the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, the president of the University of Oklahoma and the president of Oklahoma State University. Of those appointed by the Governor, one must be the president of a state funded university, one the president of a private university, two must engineers or scientists, five must executives at technology companies in Oklahoma, four must represent Oklahoma's small business, and one must represent rural Oklahoma.

As of 2009, the following are the current members of the Board:

• Dave Lopez - Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
• Glen D. Johnson, Jr. - Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
• David L. Boren - President of the University of Oklahoma
• Burns Hargis - President of Oklahoma State University
• Jim Reese - Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
• Roger Webb - President of the University of Central Oklahoma
• Steadman Upham - President of the University of Tulsa
• Mark Ashton
• Gaylnn Beer
• Chelle Melton
• Tim Mather
• Rhonda Hooper
• Dayal Meshri
• Karl Reid
• Terry Salmon - Chair of the Board
• E. R. "Tracy" Shirley III
• Edward Shreve
• Sherri Wise - Vice Chair of the Board

The Board is also composed of two members of the Oklahoma Legislature, one from each chamber, who serve as non-voting members:

• Clark Jolley - Oklahoma State Senator from Oklahoma City
• Mike Jackson - Oklahoma State Representative from Enid

Organization

• Cabinet Secretary
• Board of Directors
  • Executive Director
    • Deputy Director
      • Programs Division
      • Administration and Finance Division

Programs

The Center offers numerous programs to assist the development of the State's economy. They are divided into three broad categories:

• Research Programs
  • Oklahoma Applied Research Support program
  • Oklahoma Health Research program
  • Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project
• Invetor Programs
  • Inventor Assistance Service
  • Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
  • Research and Development Interin Partnership program
  • Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program
• Entrepreneur Programs
  • Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative
  • Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund
  • Technology Business Finance Program
  • Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center

Supporting agencies

• Oklahoma Applied Research Committee
• Oklahoma Health Research Committee
• Oklahoma Plant Sciences Research Advisory Committee
• Seed Capital Investment Committee
• Small Business Research Assistance Committee
• Oklahoma Aerospace Institute
  • Center for Aerospace Supplier Quality
  • Center of Excellence for Aerospace Technology
• Oklahoma Institute of Technology
• Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board

External links

• Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology official website