Attorney General’s Office
Attorney General Scott Pruitt Wednesday named Melissa McLawhorn Houston as Chief of Staff for the Office of Attorney General. Houston joined Pruitt’s administration as an Assistant Attorney General in the General Counsel Unit and served as Public Policy Director.
Houston replaces Crystal Drwenski, who left the post to pursue a position in private industry.
“Melissa has been a passionate public servant and advocate for the Attorney General’s Office for more than a year. Through her new position as Chief of Staff, she will continue to provide leadership and greatly enhance the capabilities of this office to benefit and protect Oklahomans,” Pruitt said.
Houston became an advocate for effective anti-terrorism and public safety initiatives early in her career. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.
She also has served as Deputy Director for the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and the staff attorney for the Oklahoma Truth in Sentencing Policy Advisory Commission.
Houston was involved in political and policy development issues through work on several campaigns, including a State House race and a statewide issue campaign.
Houston is a graduate of Leadership Norman and Leadership Oklahoma Class XII, and currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences and the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Letters. She earned her Juris Doctor from the OU College of Law.
