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
Andrea M. Braeutigam – Ms. Braeutigam is an Attorney-Mediator. She earned a bachelor of arts from University of Washington, juris doctorate cum laude from Oklahoma City University School of Law, and a LL.M. Dispute Resolution, University of Missouri-Columbia. She is the Program Manager of the Institute for Dispute Resolution at Oklahoma State University. She has mediated a variety of civil, commercial, family and agricultural matters.
Tery DeShong – Ms. DeShong is the Managing Attorney for the DHS CSED office in Tahlequah. She earned both her juris doctorate and bachelor of science degree in deaf education from the University of Tulsa. Ms. DeShong previously served as service coordinator for the Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association, staff attorney for Oklahoma Disability Law Center and as a private attorney.
John Graves - Mr. Graves graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Letters (magna cum laude) and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mr. Graves is currently an attorney in private practice in Norman. In addition to his duties as a hearing officer for the SERC, he serves as the municipal judge for the Town of Rush Springs, Chairman of the Gaming Board for the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, and is a director of the Cleveland County Family YMCA's Minority Achiever's Program.
Stephen P. Gray – Mr. Gray graduated from the University Of Tulsa College Of Law in 1980. Since then he has served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the Department of Labor, as well as an Administrative Judge for the Department of Agriculture on CAFO Applications. He has served as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University and taught education law. He is currently a fact finder for the Department of Education regarding Classroom/Teacher disputes. Stephen Gray also serves as a Hearing Officer for the Cherokee Nations in personnel matters. Mr. Gray has been in private practice since 1992 as Stephen P. Gray & Associates and engages in a variety of civil and business litigation.
Diane Hinds - Ms. Hinds is an attorney in private practice in Tulsa. Previously, she served as a Senior Attorney in the Professional Liability Section of the Dallas Regional Office of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She earned a juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University, a master's degree in curriculum & instruction from the University of Colorado and a bachelor of science degree in education from Oklahoma State University. She has previous teaching experience with students from elementary through college level.
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.
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.
