Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology 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 the impact of science and technology on the State's economic development
.
The 3rd and current Secretary is Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
on January 10, 2011.
issued an executive order establishing the position. Previously, the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce had served the role of chief science officer of the State since 1986 when that position was established by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
.
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 Science and Technology has not served in any such dual position.
, the Secretary of oversees 26 full time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $38 million.
.
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on the impact of science and technology on the State's economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
.
The 3rd and current Secretary is Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
on January 10, 2011.
History
The position of Secretary of Science and Technology was established in 1999 when Governor Frank KeatingFrank 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...
issued an executive order establishing the position. Previously, the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce had served the role of chief science officer of the State since 1986 when that position was established by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
The Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 is an Oklahoma state law that requires the Governor of Oklahoma to organize the various departments, agencies, boards, commissions and other entities of the state's executive branch into a cabinet system.The Executive Branch Reform Act was signed into law by...
.
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 Science and Technology has not served in any such dual position.
Responsibilities
The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for ensuring that scientific research and development conducted by universities in the State cooridnates with and enhances the State's business community. As of fiscal year 20112011 Oklahoma state budget
The Oklahoma State Budget for Fiscal Year 2011, is a spending request by Governor Brad Henry to fund government operations for July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011. Governor Henry and legislative leader approved the budget in May 2010...
, the Secretary of oversees 26 full time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of $38 million.
Agencies Overseen
The Secretary of Science and Technology is responsible for overseeing the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and TechnologyOklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology 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...
.
Salary
The Secretary of Science and Technology is one of the few Cabinet Secretary postions whose annual salary is not set by law. As such, it is left to the Governor to determine the Secretary's salary in the annual budget. As of 2010, all Science and Technology Secretaries have served without taking a salary.List of Secretaries
Secretary of Science and Technology (1998–present)| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor 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... served under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | W. Arthur Porter W. Arthur Porter W. Arthur "Skip" Porter, Ph.D., is an American educator and businessman from Texas. He is previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology under Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating, having serving in that position from 1999 to 2003.... |
1998 | 2003 | 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... |
| 2 | Joseph W. Alexander Joseph W. Alexander Dr. Joseph W. Alexander, DVM, is an American educator from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He is currently serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry, having been appointed by Henry in 2004.... |
2003 | 2011 | Brad Henry Brad Henry Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002... |
| 3 | Stephen W. S. McKeever | January 10, 2011 | Present | Mary Fallin Mary Fallin Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011.... |