Hearing and Appeal Officer Membership
HEARING OFFICERS
David R. Blades – Mr. Blades is an attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned both his juris doctorate and a bachelor’s degree in History/Education from the University of Tulsa. He has served as an adjunct professor at Tulsa Community College teaching business law. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was an Intelligence Analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Robert Bost – Mr. Bost is an attorney in private practice in Owasso and is licensed to practice in Oklahoma and Texas. He earned a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Bost previously served as an administrative law judge, an assistant judge advocate for the United States Air Force, and a staff judge advocate of the Oklahoma Air National Guard
Maureen Knudson – Ms. Knudson is an attorney in private practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kent State University. Ms. Knudson is a former adjunct professor with Tulsa Community College. She received TARC’s Professional Advocate of the Year for 2006 for her work with adults with developmental disabilities.
Nan Patton - Nan Patton is an attorney in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Nan retired after 16 years as a District Court Judge in Oklahoma County. During that time, she served as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division. She currently works as a mediator, as a settlement conference judge for civil appeals, and as a legal advisor for the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.
Hugh Rineer- Mr. Rineer is an Attorney-Mediator in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. He has served as a Special District Judge for the 14th Judicial District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Rineer is currently an Adjunct Settlement Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma and a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Tulsa, College of Law, teaching mediation.
Catherine Welsh – Ms. Welsh graduated from the University of Texas College of Law. She earned a bachelors of science in biology from the University of Houston. Ms. Welsh is a former teacher, having taught high school chemistry, mathematics, and economics. Ms. Welsh most recently taught at the University of Tulsa College of Law, teaching Texas Civil Procedure as an adjunct professor and teaching full-time as a clinical instructor in the elder law clinic. Ms. Welsh previously clerked with Walsh, Anderson, Underwood, Schulze & Aldridge, a Texas firm specializing in representing school districts. Ms. Welsh has a private elder law practice and is licensed in Oklahoma and Texas.
APPEAL OFFICERS
Dr. Charles R. Davis – Dr. Davis received his B.S., M.ED. and Ph.D., all in special education, from the University of Oklahoma. He has served as a faculty member of Oklahoma State University since 1978. He currently holds the positions of Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Director of Student Services for the College of Education. He has served as a hearing and appeal officer in special education due process proceedings for over 20 years.
Louis Lepak Jr. – Dr. Lepak, prior to becoming an appeal officer, was an experienced impartial hearing officer. He is currently the director of the St. Joseph Counseling Center with the Catholic Charities Archdioceses of Oklahoma City. He earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in the art in teaching from Oklahoma City University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Lepak previously served as psychological services coordinator, manager, and family counselor at Presbyterian Hospital’s Chemical Dependency Treatment Center.
Gary Payne - Mr. Payne, prior to becoming an appeal officer, was an experienced impartial hearing officer. Mr. Payne earned a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in political science form Oklahoma State University. Mr. Payne, a former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, has served as a municipal judge in Atoka, Coalgate and Oklahoma City and is a past member and president of the Edmond School Board. Mr. Payne is currently Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Department of Health.