OFFICE OF GOVERNOR FRANK KEATING


STATE OF OKLAHOMA
State Capitol Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 11, 1997

CONTACT: Rick Buchanan, 523-4278

GOVERNOR, SCHOOL LAND COMMISSIONERS HIRE NEW SECRETARY, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF LAND COMMISSION

Oklahoma City - Governor Frank Keating today, along with Commissioners of the School Land Commission, unanimously hired Ernest Hellwege of Kingfisher as the new Secretary of the Land Commission and Stephen Coit as the new Deputy Secretary of the Land Commission. The hirings followed today’s resignation of Rob Johnson who is leaving the Land Commission to pursue interests in the private sector.

"Rob Johnson has accomplished remarkable things at the School Land Commission. Under Rob’s leadership the agency has reduced its budget dramatically. Not only did we down size government we also freed up available resources to help school children - which is the purpose of this agency. Rob has done this service as a public servant of capacity and intelligence. He has served the school children well. We will miss him," said Keating.

State Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott said, "Rob Johnson has been both an outstanding public servant in the legislature and in the tenure he brought to the School Land Commission."

"Ernest Hellwege comes to the School Land Commission very well trained. He has the capacity and commitment to serve the taxpayers and school children of Oklahoma with great distinction," said Keating.

"In Ernest Hellwege and Stephen Coit we really have a wonderful marriage of abilities. Both are trained in agriculture and are knowledgeable in agricultural economics. Both understand the commitment of this Board which is to provide additional monies for school children. I welcome them both aboard the School Land Commission," said Keating.

Editor’s note: Biographical information is available upon request for Ernest Hellwege and Stephen Coit. Call 405-523-4278

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