Agency Salutes

OK.gov's "Agency Salute" individually highlights state agencies to educate the public of the positive impact state agencies have on the state of Oklahoma. Each month, two randomly selected agencies are invited to participate in the "Agency Salute" and be showcased on the portal homepage. Below are the Agency Salutes for 2010 - 2011. Please contact the OK.gov marketing department with any questions by calling (405)-524-3468 or by email.

January

Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors

"Oklahoma has some of the highest standards in the nation for alcohol and drug counselors. Also, I am the only full-time employee in the agency. I have one part-time administrative assistant, Cheryl, and we take pride in processing applications and other paperwork usually the same day that it is received in our office."

- Richard Pierson , Executive Director

December

Oklahoma Biological Survey

"The Oklahoma Biological Survey is both a state office and a research unit of the University of Oklahoma that gathers, analyzes and disseminates information regarding animal and plant forms and ecological communities within the Oklahoma and the region. In addition to scholarly research and publication, faculty and professional staff provide information to citizens, organizations, businesses, and agencies concerning Oklahoma's biota, and assist in the protection and preservation of the natural heritage of Oklahoma.  OBS has a strong interdisciplinary research focus, which includes five permanent programs:  (1) General Survey faculty conduct research in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology and systematics in Oklahoma and on a global scale; (2) The Robert Bebb Herbarium, a research museum that houses well over 230,000 preserved plants from Oklahoma, other regions of the United States and abroad; (3) The George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, is a scientific research and education center dedicated to bird conservation; (4) The Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory (ONHI) gathers and provides information Oklahoma’s rare species of plants, animals, and ecological communities.  ONHI has a legislative mandate to maintain a comprehensive database of biodiversity data for the state of Oklahoma; and (5) The Oklahoma Fisheries Research Laboratory is a cooperative project of the Survey and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation that serves as a state research unit for applied fisheries biology."

- Caryn C. Vaughn, Director

November

Regional University System of Oklahoma

"The Regional University System of Oklahoma includes the University of Central Oklahoma, East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  We have over 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a comprehensive array of degree programs throughout the state.  We provide an excellent and accessible education at affordable tuition rates and we are a major contributor to the college educated workforce in Oklahoma.  RUSO also provides cultural and economic development opportunities to every part of Oklahoma."

- Sheridan McCaffree, Executive Director

Oklahoma Arts Council

 “Since 1965, the Oklahoma Arts Council has played a pivotal role in fostering the arts across the state and in sustaining Oklahoma’s vibrant non-profit arts industry. The Council awards matching grants to cultural organizations, schools and local governments that produce community arts and arts education programs throughout Oklahoma. The Council supports opportunities for all Oklahomans to create, perform or attend arts activities and supports the arts as part of the core curriculum for all students in every Oklahoma school. We’re proud to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans."

- Suzanne Tate, Executive Director

October

Oklahoma State Election Board

"Established by the Oklahoma Constitution in 1907, the State Election Board is the administrative agency for the conduct of state elections and the oversight of the state's 77 county election boards. Our mission is to achieve and maintain uniformity in the application, operation and interpretation of election laws with a maximum degree of correctness, impartiality, and efficiency."

- Paul Ziriax, Secretary

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

"The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry’s programs affect almost every Oklahoma citizen on a daily basis. We provide support and services to agriculture producers and agriculture manufacturing to continue to produce a safe and wholesome food supply to Oklahomans. Our employee’s diligent work regarding food safety, animal health and consumer protection programs ensures Oklahoma citizen’s confidence that Oklahoma agriculture is doing everything possible to ensure safe food and a clean environment."

-Terry Peach, Secretary

September

Oklahoma Geological Survey

"The Oklahoma Geological Survey was written into the Oklahoma Constitution at Statehood and Continues to carry out its Constitutional mandate to investigate the state's land, water, mineral, and energy resources, make our findings known, and use the results of to promote the wise use and conservation of Oklahoma’s abundant geological resources.

I am proud to say that the OGS carries out this mission by making its latest research and base of knowledge available to everyone through publishing, workshops and presentations, and a website that is geared toward serving government, education, and the public sector.  The OGS also has an important role in monitoring earthquakes and other natural hazards throughout Oklahoma."

- Dr. G. Randy Keller, Director

Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission

"The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission is a constitutionally created agency.  Much has changed since the agency opened its doors in 1959, with an amendment to the Constitution allowing liquor-by-the-drink on a county option basis in 1985.  We have expanded our focus from liquor regulation and enforcement to include Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco and Charity Games Enforcement.

The ABLE Commission continues to partner with responsible members of the industries we oversee to help maintain an orderly market place.  We place public safety at the forefront of the decisions we make, while being mindful of the economic consequences of our actions."

- A. Keith Burt, Director

August

Office of the Secretary of Environment

"The Oklahoma Secretary of Environment’s office coordinates with the state’s environmental agencies to protect and enhance Oklahoma's environment and natural resources through preservation, conservation, restoration, education and enforcement in order to maintain and improve the environmental quality and natural beauty of our state and better the standard of living for all Oklahomans."

- J.D Strong,
Oklahoma Secretary of Environment

Employees Benefits Council

“The Employees Benefits Council (EBC) is the state’s designated benefits office and plan administrator for more than 77,000 covered lives, including 35,000 active state employees and their families. EBC is governed by a council of dedicated, experienced professionals who serve on a voluntary basis, without compensation from the state. Recognizing that ‘one size doesn’t fit all,’ this non-appropriated agency of devoted employees contracts with various health, dental and vision plans to provide choices to fit everyone. Those choices are extended to more than 200,000 state, education and local government employees, retirees, and their dependents.

EBC was the first agency in Oklahoma’s state government to offer a comprehensive wellness program, featuring a health risk assessment, one-on-one personal wellness coaching, free on-site health screenings and financial incentives. The program promotes healthier lifestyles, which lead to happier, more productive employees and, ultimately, lower health care costs. We are known for our commitment to service, choice, and innovation, including the custom-built Benefits Administration System that is used by more than 75 percent of active employees for online benefits enrollment.

EBC is ‘going green’ in a number of ways, including online enrollment, encouraging use of debit cards in flexible spending account transactions and modernizing benefits information to be more electronic and user-friendly with less paper usage. Because benefits attract and help retain qualified employees, the Council, its management team and staff are committed to efficiency, reducing costs, leveraging technology and improving the benefits package wherever possible while minimizing the financial impact on agencies.”

- Philip K. Kraft,
Executive Director

July

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

"We, at the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, provide uniquely specialized services to more than 77,000 Oklahomans with disabilities each year. Our Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services divisions help people with disabilities find cool jobs with benefits. Our Oklahoma School for the Blind and Oklahoma School for the Deaf provide a specifically tailored and quality education for our deaf or blind students. The Disability Determination division helps our citizens who have applied for disability benefits for Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income by processing the applications in an accurate and timely manner."

- Michael O'Brien, Ed, D.,
Director

June

Oklahoma Department of Central Services

"DCS is proud of its record of improved efficiencies over the last few years. Energy consumption in Capitol facilities is down over 19% and agency rental rates have remained stable over three years. New statewide contracts will save the state over $10 million annually. Fleet management has reduced the per mile costs of state automobiles to $0.40 per mile. Over the past 6 years, Risk Management has lowered insurance premiums for state agencies and higher education institutions by more than $12.5 million. Construction and Properties has managed $350+ million in construction projects annually without a formal protest or lawsuit in over 4 years. State Surplus has increased its volume of surplus activity over 500% since 2004. The State Print shop has modernized its equipment and has increased its output over 10%."

- John Richard,
Director

Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs

"The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs ensures all Oklahoma veterans, and their families, receive all possible benefits and provide excellent health service and long-term skilled care in a residential environment. We believe Veterans are our nations most deserving citizens and we are honored to serve Veterans who defended freedom."

- Martha Spear,
Executive Director

May

Oklahoma Real Estate Commission

"The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission licenses and regulates real estate brokerages and their affiliated sales and broker associates.  We provide continuing education to remote areas of the state; we administer a Recovery Fund that reimburses a consumer that has been harmed by a licensee who has violated the Code; and we randomly audit brokerage trust accounts on a routine basis.  The Commission strives to safeguard the public interest and provide quality services to all customers while enforcing the Oklahoma Real Estate License Code and Rules." 

- Anne M. Woody,
Executive Director

Oklahoma Conservation Commission

"The Oklahoma Conservation Commission, in collaboration with the state’s local conservation districts and other partners, works to conserve renewable natural resources in Oklahoma. Using voluntary, cooperative programs we work with land owners and managers to accomplish soil and water conservation, conservation planning, small watershed upstream flood control, abandoned mine land reclamation, water quality monitoring, environmental education and wetlands conservation."

- Mike Thrails,
Director

April

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

“The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services provides prevention and treatment services to Oklahomans of all ages who are affected by issues related to mental illness and substance abuse. By focusing on evidence-based practices, and emphasizing recovery, the agency has helped thousands of Oklahomans lead full and productive lives as important members of our state’s families, workforce and communities. Today, more than ever before, diseases of the brain are being recognized and treated just like any other disease, with extremely positive outcomes. Recovery is Reality in Oklahoma!”

- Terri White,
ODMHSAS Commissioner and Oklahoma Secretary of Health

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

"The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is the state agency responsible for managing fish and wildlife in Oklahoma.  Thanks to Wildlife Department efforts there is a broad diversity of fish and wildlife for sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts to enjoy.  The Wildlife Department receives no general state tax appropriations and is supported by hunting and fishing licenses and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program."

- Richard Hatcher,
Director

March

Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System

"The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System helps provide retirement income security for its 72,000 state and local public employee members by providing them lifetime pensions.  We also provide a tax-deferred way for our state employee members to save additional funds for retirement through our SoonerSave deferred compensation plan."

- Tom Spencer,
Executive Director

Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board

“By providing insurance coverage to more than 200,000 state, education, and local government employees, retirees, and their dependents, the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board aids in the recruitment, retention, and reward of public employees and is one of the largest plans in Oklahoma. I’m most proud of our administrative costs which compare very favorably to plans of this size, as well as our statewide provider network which consists of more than 16,000 health and dental care providers and nearly 200 hospitals.”

- Frank Wilson,
Administrator

February

Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers

"The mission of the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers is to regulate the qualification for licensure and examination as Licensed Social Workers and protect the public in reference to complaints through public meetings and hearings pursuant to the Social Worker's Licensing Act.  

The Complaint Committee investigates all complaints promptly and thoroughly upon receipt of said complaint.  The Board strives to be consistent and fair when making rulings on complaints while upholding State Statutes and Administrative Rules regarding Social Workers.

The Board offers a web site that is updated on a daily basis and offers online services wherein licenses may be verified 24/7."

- Kandi Hoehner,
Board Administrator

Commissioners of the Land Office

"The Commissioners of the Land Office is a sacred trust created by Congress and the Oklahoma Constitution. At statehood certain lands were set aside to benefit all the school children of Oklahoma and certain Colleges and Universities. The trust is now a 1.6 billion dollar asset to the school children. The trust distributes money from land leases and income from the investment of trust funds on a monthly basis to the schools. Last year more than $82 million was distributed. The trust is hoping to top that record setting number in 2011."

- Mike Hunter,
Secretary

January

Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

“The mission of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is to foster the growth of Oklahoma’s aerospace industry and ensure that the needs of commerce and communities across the state are met by the state’s 114 public airports that comprise the Oklahoma Airport System. Whether advocating public policy initiatives to support the aerospace industry or airport system, or providing airport grants for capital improvements, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is doing its part in lifting Oklahoma up!”

- Victor N. Bird,
Director

Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

"The Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is the only agency in the state regulating health care services in the area of communicative disorders of the speech, language and hearing mechanisms.  The Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology regulates the practices of speech-language pathology and audiology in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and to support practitioners in their professional endeavors. We are proud of the personal attention that is given to the professionals and citizens of Oklahoma."

- Jeanie Wall,
Executive Secretary/Administrator

2009 Agency Salutes

2008 Agency Salutes