By Jason Doyle Oden
After winning a controversial position as CEO for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, Patrice Douglas is walking away from the job. She announced her intention on Wednesday.
The public was outraged when the announced salary for the position was $250,000 which is much more than the Governor’s salary as well as other agency heads. Governor Fallin stepped in and asked Secretary of Health and Human Services Terry Kline to reconsider the salary for the newly created position. TSET hired a firm to do a nationwide search for the most qualified candidate for the position. It listed the former Edmond mayor and businesswoman as one of the top candidates.
Douglas accepted the position when offered, but has now decided to pass on the job.
“After much contemplation and consultation with my family and friends, I have decided the right decision for me and TSET is to allow them to continue their search for a new CEO,” said Douglas in a statement.
“I appreciate the support of the TSET board and many people in the public and private sectors. The words of encouragement were deeply appreciated, especially when the matter of hiring a CEO at TSET was unfortunately politicized. I stood ready and willing to fulfill the responsibilities of the job, but unfortunately, the TSET board had been informed that others will not permit this to occur.”
Douglas indicated she was heading back into the private sector.
“We have the utmost admiration for Patrice Douglas. She comported herself professionally and thoughtfully throughout the process, including the difficult last few days. While we are very disappointed, we respect and honor the decision by Patrice. She was exceptionally qualified for the position with an impressive record of achievement in both the public and private sectors,” said the TSET board in a statement.
It’s amazing that this person has described a $250,000+ unaccountable job as ‘politicized’, instead what this issue really is – a pathetic astounding act by the TSET board and the pathetic now-defunct acceptance of the position.
Hell, why didn’t they up the salary to one million dollars a year instead the low-ball 250 thousand.
Good move by Ms. Douglas. But the TSET board needs to come in out of the sun; I think it has addled them.
Good deal! Douglas was supremely “unqualified” for the job!
When a job is created as political patronage they made it politicized. The TSET fund is so over loaded in cash they have to create a way of spending it. Oklahoma elected officials are known for creating a Political job for themselves and others.ie: Grand River Dam CEO’s position. Guess who has the job? NO surprises there.