2008 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 2008. Please contact the OK.gov marketing department with any questions by calling (405)-524-3468 or by email.

December

Oklahoma Geological Survey

"The Oklahoma Geological Survey is a state agency for research and public service located on the Norman Campus of the University of Oklahoma and affiliated with the OU College of Earth and Energy. The Survey was chartered in the 1907 Oklahoma Constitution and is charged with investigating the state's land, water, mineral, and energy resources and disseminating the results of those investigations to promote their wise use consistent with sound environmental practices. The Oklahoma Geological Survey is the only state agency of its kind that was provided for in the constitution of a new state.

Being actually enabled and coming into operation in 1908, the Survey celebrates its 100th year of service to Oklahoma this year. The Oklahoma Geological Survey will continue to meet the needs of the State by helping blend academics, projects of interest to industry, and public service. The OGS provides: maps and other informational material on its web site, new and updated maps for Oklahoma; lesson plans and teacher workshops for earth science education; publications of new OGS geological research; earthquake monitoring and reporting; workshops and basic geological studies for the fossil fuel industry and academia; field trips for schools, industry, scout and civic organizations; information for the general public and recreation-area users; and many other services important to the State. The Oklahoma Geological Survey looks forward to the next 100 years of helping Oklahoman use and conserve its natural resources."

- Dr. G. Randy Keller, Interim Director

Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System 

"We take care of the retirement benefits for the finest employees of the state of Oklahoma. We serve the State Employed Law Enforcement Personnel that risk their lives every single day for us!"

- Ginger Poplin, Executive Director

November

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control

“OBNDD is consistently viewed as the leading model for drug enforcement as a result of its proactive investigative and enforcement techniques, cutting-edge regulatory oversight programs, and aggressive legislative initiatives that have shaped state and national drug policy.”

- R. Darrell Weaver, Director

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum
"Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum has the awesome opportunity to recognize the talented Oklahoma folks who have and are impacting music all over the world. Since 1997 we have recognized 58 individuals or groups. Through our annual induction, as well as the videos, music and memorabilia showcased in the Muskogee museum, we continue to promote and recognize all genres of Oklahoma music. We feel it is an honor to share with the world who these wonderful music makers are by providing a place for them to visit and learn more about Oklahoma music."

- Beth Seim, Executive Director 

October

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

"We’re the state agency entrusted for the protection and preservation of Oklahoma’s designated scenic rivers and to provide services/access for our citizens who enjoy these special nature resources. Oklahoma’s designated scenic river areas are a representative example of what rivers are renowned in our United States. Simply, rivers are the lifeblood of the human spirit."

- Ed Fite, Administrator

Oklahoma Energy Resources Board 

“Lead by the oil and natural gas industry, the OERB has cleaned up nearly 9,000 abandoned well sites. We have provided millions in funding for weatherization programs to help Oklahoma families lower their energy bills and endowed hundreds of college scholarships to educate the next generation of industry workers.”

- Mindy Stitt, Executive Director

September

Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization

"In 1997, Oklahoma cotton producers overwhelmingly approved a referendum calling for the total eradication of the boll weevil, a small insect that had been wreaking economic havoc on Oklahoma cotton crops for years. Our mission is to eradicate the boll weevil throughout the state and ensure against re-infestation. These tasks are being accomplished by our dedicated employees with exceptional cooperation from producers and cotton gins, and from other state agencies, state and national cotton organizations and the federal government. So far this season, no boll weevils have been caught anywhere in Oklahoma."

- Joe Harris, 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

August

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

"The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is our state’s premier marketing and branding agency which also operates a nationally-recognized network of 50 state parks. As Oklahoma Experts, we are dedicated to being a valuable resource for travelers and the tourism industry, in addition to preserving, managing and promoting our natural assets and cultural richness."

- Hardy Watkins, Executive Director

Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission 

“Oklahoma is the heart and heartbeat of Indian Country and home to an in-state tribal population of nearly 350,000 members. The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission has been in the business of promoting positive state and tribal relations in the State of Oklahoma for the past 41 years. I have served as Executive Director for the past 15 years and have witnessed the evolution of state and tribal relations from a privileged vantage point. The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission is proud to play a role in the promotion of positive state and tribal relations through its mission of serving as the liaison between state government and Oklahoma’s 37 federally-recognized sovereign nations.”

- Barbara A. Warner, Executive Director

July

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

"Oklahoma’s public libraries rank in the top 10 out of the 50 states in the level of online connectivity—an accomplishment that brings an ever-growing expanse of knowledge to citizens living in even our smallest communities.

ODL has helped our public libraries excel in information technology through one-on-one consultation, specialized training, assistance with the national E-Rate program, and the procurement of state, federal and private funds. Our statewide licenses for online databases give public, school and academic libraries of all sizes access to a wealth of information—resources that many smaller libraries could never afford on their own."

- Susan C. McVey, State Librarian

Will Rogers Memorial Commission

"The Will Rogers Memorial Commission proudly preserves and promotes the life and legacy of Oklahoma’s undisputed Favorite Son, Will Rogers, through the many rich, diverse educational programs and exhibits at the eleven-gallery Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, and the 400-acre living history Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, Oologah. Celebrating its 70th year in 2008, the Will Rogers Memorial remains one of the most visited and recognizable icons in Oklahoma."

- Steve Gragert, Executive Director 

June

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

“No other state agency touches the lives of Oklahomans more than the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. The agency was formed at statehood to regulate and protect all agricultural activities but as our lifestyles and demographic changed, so did our duties.

Today, in addition to protecting agriculture and the environment, we are active in a range of consumer protection programs. Our inspectors are charged with keeping our meats, poultry, eggs and dairy products safe. They also test and inspect the scales used for commercial purposes—including those in grocery stores. Ever wonder who is checking to make sure the price scanners at the cash register are accurate? That’s our inspectors also.

In this age of constant terrorism threat, our agency was the first state agriculture department to fully train multiple Incident Command System rapid response teams. Equipped with a mobile laboratory and decontamination trailers, our teams can (and have) responded to any type emergency or disaster. We also assist the state’s rural fire departments with training and equipment to protect property and help reduce insurance costs.

Our work in economic development especially in rural areas has grown in to a major component of ODAFF over the years. Three years ago we developed an Agritourism Program to promote instate vacation attractions. Today there are nearly 500 Oklahoma Agritourism venues and many more are planned. These businesses take advantage of our agricultural industry and natural resources and provide an enjoyable and educational experience for those who visit them.

Not only are we encouraging value-added enterprises throughout the state, we are also working on programs such as Farm to School and the Farmers Markets Program to promote consumption of locally grown foods. This ties in very well with our award winning Ag in the Classroom program that helps create curriculum and train teachers how to incorporate agricultural and nutritional knowledge in their everyday lesson plans. In this way we are educating tomorrow’s leaders as well as fighting our epidemic of childhood obesity.”

- Terry L. Peach, Secretary of Agriculture and Commissioner of Agriculture

Grand River Dam Authority

"Generating low-cost reliable electricity, fulfilling its duties as good steward of the natural resources under its control, and serving as an economic development engine for the state of Oklahoma. Those are the characteristics that define the Grand River Dam Authority. Each day, the GRDA workforce follows through on these duties to benefit thousands of Oklahomans."

- Kevin A. Easley, Chief Executive Officer

May

Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives

“We purpose to educate, empower and encourage communities of faith to partner with state agencies to serve their “neighbors”.  With over 6000 faith congregations in Oklahoma and hundreds of thousands of people of faith, the potential for impact is unlimited!!"

- Robin Jones, Director 

Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy

“Our agency mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy is proud to assist the citizens of Oklahoma by responding to their questions and complaints regarding pharmacy issues. Our agency has received many compliments for the friendly and helpful assistance provided to those in need."

- Bryan H. Potter, D.PH., Executive Director 

April

Oklahoma State Department of Education

“We support and assist educators in providing every child in Oklahoma -- a record 641,700 students -- with academic opportunities crucial to preparing for college and the world of work.” Clearly, a high-quality education is key to the success of each boy and girl. Public education is also central to successfully addressing the workforce- and economic-development needs of our great state!”

- Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent 

Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 

“We are proud to host the first Oklahoma's Healthy and Fit Schools Scorecard which is a self-assessment tool designed for schools and their Healthy and Fit Advisory Committees to utilize in determining the quality of their nutrition and physical activity school programs.”

- Nancy Kabriel, President

March

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

"The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is the primary economic development arm of the state government. Our mission is to increase the quantity and quality of jobs available in Oklahoma by supporting communities; supporting the growth of existing businesses and entrepreneurs; attracting new businesses; and promoting the development and availability of a skilled workforce."

- Natalie Shirley, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce 

Oklahoma Film & Music Commission

"The Oklahoma Film & Music Commission promotes the state as a viable location for producing motion pictures, television programs and for the recording of music. We encourage the development of a strong capital base for film and music in order to create infrastructure within the state for self-sustaining industries resulting in economic diversification. It is our ultimate goal to create new career paths for our young people and to train and retain a creative class of Oklahomans."

- Jill Simpson, Director

February

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust

"The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) was created in 2000 by a voter-approved Constitutional amendment as a result of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement between the tobacco industry and 46 states. Only the interest and dividend earnings from the endowment's investments may be used to fund programs and services to improve the health of all Oklahomans.

In the early years of the endowment, the Board of Directors has directed the available earnings to a variety of effective programs to prevent and reduce tobacco use in our state. TSET-funded programs include the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW and community-based programs that cover 37 counties, three tribal nations, and four specific population groups. Most recently the board has funded the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center and the Tobacco Stops With Me campaign. These programs work together to drive down our state's high rates of tobacco use. To learn how you can make a difference we invite you to visit www.stopswithme.com.

As additional earnings become available, the board of directors will begin to fund programs to address Oklahoma's obesity epidemic and other programs to improve the health of all Oklahomans."

- Tracey Strader, Executive Director

Office of Disability Concerns

"The Office of Disability Concerns provides community awareness for an underserved and sometimes overlooked population. We provide assistance to those with disabilities and the businesses that serve them. We are a small office with big heart."

- Steve Stokes, Director

January

Public Employees Relations Board

"The Public Employees Relations Board resolves labor disputes involving firefighters, police officers and other municipal employees to minimize disruptions of public services and ensure various rights of employees, unions and municipalities across Oklahoma." 

- Debbie Tiehen, Administrator

Oklahoma State Senate

"The Oklahoma State Senate has made tremendous strides in utilizing technology, giving the public and media greater access to the information and events which are part of the legislative process. We offer live streaming video and audio, gavel to gavel, from the Senate chamber, as well as committee meetings. We also make press conferences available online in real time, as well as archiving the audio and press releases on our Web site. Anyone interested can also go to the Web site to download the text of legislation at every stage of the process, learn the deadlines for legislative action, find out when committees are meeting and what measures are on their agenda, and look up floor votes. The Senate also offers software that helps citizens find out who their Senator is, and contact information. We also have an online catalogue of the Senate’s art collection, which features works by Oklahoma artists of people and events important to Oklahoma’s past, present and future."

- Malia Bennett, Communications Director