Governor’s Office
Governor Fallin today announced the following appointments to various boards, agencies and commissions.
Regional University System of Oklahoma
Lake Carpenter of Leedey is the senior vice president of the Bank of Western Oklahoma. He is the president elect for the Western Oklahoma bankers association and a founding board member of the Leedey Public School mentor program. Carpenter received a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He is replacing Joe Anna Hibler for a nine-year term. Confirmation from the Senate is required for his appointment.
Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Dr. Mary McCaffree of Oklahoma City is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She currently serves on the board of trustees at the American Medical Association and on the council for Public and Mental Health through the Oklahoma State Medical Association. McCaffree received a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas and her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She completed her residency and fellowship at the Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. McCaffree is being reappointed for a seven–year term. Senate confirmation is required for her appointment.
Maj. Edward Pulido of Edmond is the senior vice president of public relations and military affairs for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a foundation that assists families of soldiers wounded or killed in the line of duty. Pulido also is founder of Warriors for Freedom Foundation, a leadership institute focused on the mental, physical and holistic recovery of military personnel and their families. Pulido has a degree in military science, marketing, and criminal justice and a master’s degree in logistics management. He attained the rank of major in his 19-year military career and on May 16, 2005, he was medically retired from the U.S. Army. He is replacing Bob McDonald and will serve a six-year term. Confirmation from the Senate is required for his appointment.
Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board
Dr. Terry Salmon of Oklahoma City is the president at IS Technologies, a computer system design company. He has spent over 20 years in the technology and software industry, which includes time at the Oklahoma Department of Education as a programmer and starting his own computer system design company. He currently serves on the board of directors at the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. Salmon received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Cameron University, a master’s degree in science from Oklahoma State University and doctorate of education in applied educational studies in aviation and space education from OSU. He is being reappointed to the board and will serve a four-year term. Senate confirmation is required for this appointment.
David Myers of Ponca City is the executive director of the Ponca City Development Authority. He is a member of the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council, and past president of both the Governor’s Economic Development Marketing Team and the International Economic Development Council. Myers received a bachelor’s from California State University in Northridge, Calif, and a master’s degree from California State University in Carson, Calif. He is replacing Tracy Shirley, who passed away, and will represent small business. Senate confirmation is required for his appointment.
Sherri Wise of Tulsa is the president and chief executive officer of The Osteopathic Founders Foundation. She is currently a member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic Association, Healthcare Financial Management Association, and the Oklahoma Planned Giving Council. Wise received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is being reappointed to the board for a four-year term pending senate confirmation.
Oklahoma Energy Resources Board
Mike McDonald of Edmond is president and co-owner of Triad Energy. He is the current president of the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance and previous chairman of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. McDonald received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. and a master’s degree from New York University in New York, N.Y. He is replacing Mike Cantrell and will serve as an independent producer for a two-year term.
Danny Morgan of Prague is the president of Morgan Well Service. He is a former mayor of Prague, and previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served as minority leader for four years. He is a past president of the Association of Energy Service Companies and previously served as a board member for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Assocation. Morgan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is replacing Suzette Hatfield and will serve on the board as an independent producer for a two-year term.
Oklahoma Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board
Billy Ballard of Stratford is a consultant for Eldridge Propane Service Company. He is currently the chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board. He is the current vice president of the southeast district for the Oklahoma Propane Gas Association. Ballard received a bachelor’s degree from East Central University. He is being reappointed to the board and will serve a four-year term pending Senate confirmation.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission
James Boring of Guymon is the district attorney for District One in Oklahoma, which includes Cimarron, Texas, Beaver and Harper counties. He is currently a member of the Oklahoma District Attorney’s Board and Justice Assistance Grant. Boring received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University. He is replacing Mike Fields and will serve as a district attorney from the Third Congressional District. Boring will serve a seven–year term. Senate confirmation is required for his appointment.
Partnership for School Readiness Board
Somerlyn Cothran of Ada is the chief executive officer of Cothran Development Strategies, a management and development firm. She serves on the boards of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Foundation, the Ada City School Foundation, the Salvation Army, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma. She received a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Tulsa and a master’s degree in human relations and organizational development from the University of Oklahoma. Cothran is replacing Sara Sweet and will serve a four-year term and serves as a parent of a child eight years of age or younger. Senate confirmation is not required for this appointment.
Statewide Independent Living Council
Mark Dvorak of Norman is replacing Randal Elston. Dvorak will serve the remainder of a three-year term on the council as a person with a disability.
Darrell Owens of Bartlesville is being reappointed to the council. Owens will serve a three-year term and serves as a person with a disability.
Debie Fidler of Ponca City is the case management supervisor of Progressive Independence, an independent living facility. She received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from East Central University. Fidler is being reappointed to the council and will serve a three-year term as a representative of a center for independent living.
Senate confirmation is not required for appointments to the Statewide Independent Living Council.
Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board
Rhonda Hooper of Edmond is president and chief executive officer of Jordan Advertising. She serves on the executive committee for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau Commission, on the board of directors at the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, on the board of trustees of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust, and on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation. Hooper has also served on the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) board since 2009. She received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University. Hooper is being reappointed to the board and will serve a four-year term. Senate confirmation is required for her reappointment.
Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents
Monte McAlester of Wilburton is the medical director at Hastings Indian Medical Center in Tahlequah. He has been a member of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association since 1981, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. McAlester previously served on the Wilburton Public Schools Board of Education. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a doctorate from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. McAlester is replacing Aud Balentine and will serve the remainder of a seven-year term on the board. Confirmation from the Oklahoma Senate is required for his appointment.
Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden Authority
Joe McGraw of Tulsa is board chairman for McGraw Realtors. He previously served two years in the Oklahoma House of Representative and six years in the Oklahoma State Senate. McGraw previously served as the president of the Greater Tulsa Board of Realtors. He is director of American Bank and Trust Company of Tulsa, president of McGraw Oil Company, and is chairman of Mill Creek Lumber Company. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the University of Tulsa. McGraw is being reappointed to the authority for a two-year term. Confirmation from the Oklahoma Senate is required for his appointment.
Uniform Building Code Commission
Larry Herzel of Oklahoma City is the principal architect at HSE Architects. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Herzel received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is being reappointed to the commission and will serve a four-year term. Confirmation from the Oklahoma Senate is required for his reappointment.
Commission on Consumer Credit
Suzy Casper of Edmond is the senior vice president and loan operations manager for the First State Bank in Oklahoma City. She previously served on the board of directors for the Oklahoma City Downtown Lions Club. She also served on the board of the Community Vision Care and served on the United Way Allocations Committee. She is replacing Trisha Thompson who resigned. Casper will serve on an interim basis pending confirmation from the Senate.
Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
Todd Pauley of Oklahoma City is the senior advisory and business and community liaison for Congressman James Lankford. Pauley is the executive committee chairman of the Thunderbird Chapel at Camp Gruber and school board member of the Oklahoma Virtual Academy. Pauley is a former member of the board of trustees for the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation, former volunteer child ambassador for World Vision and board member for the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and a law degree from Oklahoma City University. Pauley is replacing Lisa Hammond pending Senate confirmation.
Real Estate Appraiser Board
Shelly Pruitt of Oklahoma City is a mortgage advisor at First Mortgage Company. She currently serves on the board for the Oklahoma City Business Improvement District. She previously served on Arts Council of Oklahoma City and Habitat for Humanity. She is replacing Jana Baker and will serve as a lay member. Senate confirmation is not required.
Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
Holli Witherington of Ada is the executive director of the Brandon Whitten Institute for Addiction and Recovery at East Central University. She also is an adjunct professor of education at the university. She previously served as a contract counselor for Hartsell Psychological Services in Tishomingo. Witherington received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Central University in Ada. She is being reappointed to the board pending Senate confirmation.
State Fire Marshal Commission
Cary Williamson of Ardmore is the fire chief for the city of Ardmore. He has been with the department since 1994. He is a member of the Ardmore Lions Club, on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Southwest Historical Museum and an ambassador for the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce. Williamson is replacing Diane Abernathy and serves on the commission as a fire investigator. Senate confirmation is required for his appointment.
Oklahoma State Board of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control
Albert Gray of Yukon is the chief executive officer of The Children’s Center, a pediatric hospital serving children with medical and physical disabilities. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hospital Association, Economic Club of Oklahoma, Rotary Club of West Oklahoma City, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma City. Gray received a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He is replacing Pedro Cordova and will serve a seven-year term as a lay member on the board. Senate confirmation is required for Gray’s appointment.
