Gov. Henry Names Safety and Security Secretary, Homeland Security Director and Emergency Management Director
|
Oklahoma
City - Governor Brad Henry has selected Kevin Ward as his Cabinet
Secretary for Safety and Security. Ward has also been named
Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. He succeeds Bob Ricks
who resigned as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety last
fall. Ward was Assistant Commissioner under Ricks and has been serving
as Interim DPS Commissioner since October 2003. The governor announced
the cabinet appointment Friday saying Kevin Ward has the experience and
is the right person for the job.
|
| |
“I
have great confidence in Kevin’s ability to lead the DPS and build
consensus and cooperation among the agencies in the Safety and Security
Cabinet,” said Gov. Henry. “In these turbulent times we need no
reminder of the importance of cooperation among agencies in the
protection of our citizens.”
|
| |
Ward
began his law enforcement career in 1979 at the Bethany Police
Department. He joined the Department of Public Safety in 1980 serving
on the Governor’s Security detail before his appointment the Oklahoma
Highway Patrol in 1985. Ward moved through the ranks of the patrol and
on October 20, 2003, Governor Henry appointed him the Interim
Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
|
| |
“I
appreciate the opportunity to become a part of Governor Henry's
administration. Protecting the safety and security of the citizens of
Oklahoma is the highest honor. I look forward to serving Governor Henry
and the citizens of our state in this position,” said Ward.
|
| |
Governor
Henry also tapped Major Kerry Pettingill as Oklahoma Homeland Security
Director. Pettingill joined the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1982 and was
commander of the DPS Tactical Teams Special Operations and Bomb Squads.
He was appointed as Deputy Director of Homeland Security in 2002, which
included overseeing personnel assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task
Force.
|
| |
Albert
Ashwood will be retained as Director of the Oklahoma Department of
Emergency Management (OEM). Ashwood has been Director of the OEM since
his appointment in 1997. He has been with the agency fifteen years.
|
| |
“Major
Pettingill and Albert Ashwood have the experience and specialized
skills to address our emergency management and homeland security needs
during the continuing war on terrorism,” said Gov. Henry.
|
| |
Ward and Ashwood’s appointment require senate confirmation.
|
| |
Biographical Information
|
| |
Kevin Ward, 41, Yukon (Contact # 405-425-2001)
Secretary of Safety and Security, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety
Bethany Police Department, 1979
Governor’s Mansion Security, 1980-1985
Oklahoma Highway Patrol 1985-present
|
| |
Kerry Pettingill, 45, Yukon (Contact # 405-425-7296)
Oklahoma Homeland Security Director
Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 1982-present
Oklahoma Homeland Security Deputy Director, 2002-2004
|
| |
Albert Ashwood, 44, Chandler (Contact # 405-521-2481)
Editor/Reporter, Lincoln County News, 1985-1988
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, 1988-present
Director, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management 1997-present
|
| |
| |
| |
