Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce
 Great Seal of Oklahoma | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 6, 1986 |
| Headquarters | 900 N Stiles Avenue Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Minister responsible | |
| Child agencies | |
| Website | Office of the Secretary of Commerce |
The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on economic development and trade promotion.
The current Secretary is Larry Parman, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2013.
History
The Secretary of Commerce was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the State government's economic development activities. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary to advise the Governor on economic development policy and advise the state's economic development agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.
The position of Secretary of Commerce was disestablished in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order merging the position with that of Secretary of Tourism into a single position of Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. His successor, Mary Fallin, continued the position until 2013 when she issued an executive order splitting the position into its previous two positions.
Dual Position
Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Commerce has also served as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. As of 2014, all Secretaries except Dave Lopez have served in this dual position. From 2012 to 2013, Secretary Lopez became the first when he resigned as Director but remained as Cabinet Secretary.[1]
Agencies overseen
The Secretary of Commerce oversees the following state entities:
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Labor
- Employment Security Commission
- Housing Finance Agency
- Workers' Compensation Commission
Salary
The annual salary of the Secretary of Commerce is set by law at $70,000.[2] Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Cabinet Secretary Larry Parman also serves as the Director of the Commerce Department, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2014, the annual salary of that position is set at $112,500.
List of Secretaries
Secretary of Commerce (1986–2003)
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Werries | 1995 | 1997 | Frank Keating |
| Ron Rosenfeld | 1997 | 1998 | |
| Howard Barnett, Jr. | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Russell M. Perry | 2000 | 2001 | |
| Vacant | 2001 | 2003 |
Secretary of Commerce and Tourism (2003–2013)
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathy Taylor | 2003 | 2006 | Brad Henry |
| Natalie Shirley | February 14, 2007 | January 10, 2011 | |
| Dave Lopez | January 27, 2011 | November 1, 2013 | Mary Fallin |
Secretary of Commerce (2013-present)
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Parman | November 1, 2013 | Present | Mary Fallin |
References
External links
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