Congressman James Lankford said today he has named Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic (U.S. Navy, Retired) as his new Chief of Staff effective October 1st. He succeeds Randy Swanson, who resigned to join an Oklahoma City firm.
“I am honored to bring Rear Adm. Slavonic’s background in strategic communications and leadership, earned through a distinguished 34-year career in the U.S. Navy, to our team,” said Lankford.
“Rear Adm. Slavonic will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Fifth District, as he leads our offices in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C. and helps us complete the work remaining in the 113th Congress. His honorable service in the Navy will translate well as we provide assistance with federal agencies and shape conservative policy solutions in the U.S. House of Representatives. Like me, Rear Adm. Slavonic does not come from a political background, which gives him a real-world approach to finding efficient and effective solutions to the problems we face as a nation. His faith and integrity will undoubtedly complement the honest, hardworking team we have in place to serve central Oklahomans.
“I look forward to putting Rear Adm. Slavonic’s litany of skills to work for the Fifth District, and I hope the community will join me in welcoming him as he embarks on his new role,” concluded Lankford.
“I’m truly honored to be asked to join Representative Lankford’s team,” said Slavonic. “In the coming months, my goal will be to support him in accomplishing his vision for Oklahoma and for our great nation. The world remains a very dangerous place, and I want to provide him with any and all support in his efforts to ensure the U.S. remains safe and secure for all Americans.”
Originally from Kansas but raised in Oklahoma City, Slavonic earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University and upon completion of his undergraduate studies, enlisted in the Navy. He received orders to the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA 64) and completed two western Pacific deployments in support of combat operations in Vietnam. In 1976, he earned a Masters degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Serving the Navy through several additional combat tours, including but not limited to Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom II, Slavonic served as the U.S. Navy’s Deputy to the Chief of Information in Washington, D.C. and Director of Public Affairs (Reserve) from June 2001 to 2005.
In this dual role, he served as deputy to the Chief of Information responsible for all aspects of the Navy’s Public Affairs Program and adviser on Strategic Communications issues. He established and maintained professional working relationships with Navy Secretariat offices, other Department of Defense commands and activities within the Pentagon and in the Washington Capitol Region. In addition, he was responsible for the training and readiness of more than 500 public affairs specialists assigned to 26 different units across the United States.
In his civilian professional life, he has many years of experience as Advertising Director for The Journal Record and senior account executive for NBC affiliate television station, KFOR-TV. He served as adjunct professor in the Communications Department as the University of Central Oklahoma.
Slavonic and his wife Molly currently live in north Oklahoma City. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.
