The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is on the verge of naming a new executive director. The selection committee has narrowed a field of applicants to a set of finalists who have been invited for further interviews.
TSET Executive Director Tracey Strader plans to retire in January. Former Edmond mayor Patrice Douglas was named as Chief Executive Officer earlier this year. However, controversy over the $250,000 salary caused her to pass on the newly created job.
TSET’s Board of Directors hit the reset button and began a new search with the help of a Tulsa recruiting firm. The new salary fits in with state guidelines and will not exceed $143,714 a year.
“This is an extremely important hire for TSET. Tracey has done a remarkable job over the past 14 years building the organization and establishing programs complementing our mission to improve the health of every Oklahoman. As we prepare for a planned transition in leadership, we recognize the notable progress made over the years to tackle the two biggest causes of deaths among Oklahomans – cancer and cardiovascular disease. There is still plenty of work to be done and we will look forward to working with our next executive director to build on our successes and seek ways to wisely use our resources to educate and motivate Oklahomans to stop the progression of cancer and cardiovascular disease by adopting healthier lifestyles,” said the TSET Selection Committee in a statement.
Once the committee has reached a decision, it will pass the recommendation to the TSET Board which will make the final decision to offer the job in an open meeting.
No time for the decision was provided.
