Governor’s Office
Governor Fallin today announced the following appointments to various boards, councils and commissions:
Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Charles Tate of Ardmore is the president of Hatak Shawi’, a company that performs historical research for the Chickasaw Nation. He was an attorney in private practice before serving as a special district judge in Carter County, from which he retired. He is a member of the Oklahoma Historical Society and a board member of the Arbuckle Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Tate received a bachelor’s degree from Phillips University in Enid and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He will serve a three year term and is replacing Ken Rainbolt and represents District Three.
Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Scotty Herriman of South Coffeyville is owner of Herriman Farms. He also serves as a board member of the Cherokee Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council and is past president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts. Herriman will serve a five year term and is replacing George Stunkard and represents State Area Number Three. Senate confirmation is required for this appointment
Water Policy for 2060 Advisory Council
Bob Drake of Davis is the owner of Drake Farms in Ardmore. Drake is chairman of the National Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative and is a past president of both the National Cattlemen’s Association and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. He has served on both the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Board and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Drake is filling a new position on the board and serves as a member well-versed in rural residential water use.
Tom Buchanan of Altus is a manager at Lugert–Altus Irrigation. He has worked in cotton irrigation since 1980. Buchanan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is filling a new position on the board and serves as a member well-versed in agriculture water use. Senate confirmation is required for his appointment.
Danny Galloway of Stillwater is the city manager of Stillwater. He also serves on the board of the Oklahoma Technology and Research Park. He is also a board member of the Oklahoma Municipal League and a member and past president of the Kaw Reservoir Trust Authority. He previously served as vice chair of the Bethany War Acres Public Trust Authority and is a past president of the Oklahoma City Managers Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University. He is filling a new position and serves as a member well-versed in municipal water use.
Mark Helm of Edmond is president and chief executive officer of Dolese Bros., a construction materials company. He is currently a board member and past chairman of the Oklahoma Agregates Association, on the board and executive committee member for the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and a trustee on the Rocks Build America Foundation. Helm earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He is filling a new position and serves as a member well versed in water efficiency.
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission
Charles Perry of Grove is a broker and owner of ReMax of Grand Lake. He currently serves as a founding member of the Grove Educational Foundation for Excellence, member and past president of the Grove Rotary Club and a board member of the Grand Lake Association. Perry earned a certification from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, OK. He will serve a six year term and is being reappointed to the commission. Senate confirmation is required for this appointment.
Oklahoma Tax Commission
Tom Kemp of Norman is the chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. He has been with the Oklahoma Tax Commission since 1997 when he served as the general counsel. Kemp was named chairman of the commission in 2001. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s in law (LLM) in taxation from Southern Methodist University. Kemp will serve a six year term and is being reappointed to the commission. Senate confirmation is required for this appointment
