Dean Werries
Encyclopedia
E. Dean Werries is an American
business
from Oklahoma
. Werries is currently serving as a Director
Emeritus
for Sonic Drive-In
. Werries previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce
under Governor of Oklahoma
Frank Keating
from 1995 to 1997. Prior to his service as Secretary, Werries served as Chairman of Sonic and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fleming Companies, Inc
.
, a Kansas
, later Oklahoma
-based supplier of consumer package goods to retailers, in 1955. In 1981, he came that firm's President. He remained in that position until 1988 when he became Fleming's chief executive officer
. Werries retired as CEO in October 1993 to become the chairman of the board of directors
for Fleming. He continued to serve as chairman until 1994, when he retired as the age of 64.
in 1991. When Werries retired from Fleming in 1994, Sonic shareholders elected him as the Chairman of their Board of Directors. He remained with Sonic until his retirement in 2000. J. Clifford Hudson, Sonic's CEO, as elected as Board Chair to succeed Werries.
Following his retirement, he was named Director Emeritus, which allowed him to participate in all meetings of Sonic's Board of Directors but not the right to vote.
Governor of Oklahoma
Frank Keating
appointed Werries as his first Secretary of Commerce
. As Secretary, Werries oversaw the operations of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
. He remained in that position until he resigned in 1997. Governor Keating appointed Ron Rosenfeld
, a housing development expert, to succeed Werries as Secretary.
and has served as a trustee of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. Werries is currently serving as a Director
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
for Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is an American drive-in fast-food restaurant chain based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, complete with carhops who sometimes wear rollerskates. As of August 31, 2010, there were 3,500 restaurants in 43 U.S. states. Sonic serves approximately 3 million customers daily.-1950s:Following...
. Werries previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
under Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
from 1995 to 1997. Prior to his service as Secretary, Werries served as Chairman of Sonic and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fleming Companies, Inc
Fleming Companies, Inc
Core-Mark Holding Company is a supplier of consumer package goods to retailers in the United States.-Fleming Companies:...
.
Career with Flemings
Werries joined the Fleming Companies, IncFleming Companies, Inc
Core-Mark Holding Company is a supplier of consumer package goods to retailers in the United States.-Fleming Companies:...
, a Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, later Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
-based supplier of consumer package goods to retailers, in 1955. In 1981, he came that firm's President. He remained in that position until 1988 when he became Fleming's chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
. Werries retired as CEO in October 1993 to become the chairman of the board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
for Fleming. He continued to serve as chairman until 1994, when he retired as the age of 64.
Career with Sonic
While still CEO of Fleming, Werries was elected to the Board of Directors for Sonic Drive-InSonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is an American drive-in fast-food restaurant chain based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, complete with carhops who sometimes wear rollerskates. As of August 31, 2010, there were 3,500 restaurants in 43 U.S. states. Sonic serves approximately 3 million customers daily.-1950s:Following...
in 1991. When Werries retired from Fleming in 1994, Sonic shareholders elected him as the Chairman of their Board of Directors. He remained with Sonic until his retirement in 2000. J. Clifford Hudson, Sonic's CEO, as elected as Board Chair to succeed Werries.
Following his retirement, he was named Director Emeritus, which allowed him to participate in all meetings of Sonic's Board of Directors but not the right to vote.
Secretary of Commerce
In 1995, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
appointed Werries as his first Secretary of Commerce
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
. As Secretary, Werries oversaw the operations of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the...
. He remained in that position until he resigned in 1997. Governor Keating appointed Ron Rosenfeld
Ron Rosenfeld
Ronald A. "Ron" Rosenfeld is an American politician and housing expert. Rosenfeld has previously served in numerous U.S. federal and Oklahoma state government positions relating to housing. He served as Chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board and President of the Government National Mortgage...
, a housing development expert, to succeed Werries as Secretary.
Personal life
Werries has served on the board of directors for Oklahoma Christian UniversityOklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma Christian University is a private comprehensive coeducational Christian liberal arts university founded in 1950 by members of the churches of Christ. OC is located on a campus in Oklahoma City. Enrollment for the fall 2011 semester numbered 2,194, which included 1,854 undergraduate and...
and has served as a trustee of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics is a prestigious two-year residential public high school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Established by the Oklahoma legislature in 1983, the school was designed to educate academically gifted high school students in advanced mathematics and...
.