This week, Governor Kevin Stitt has made two appointments to his cabinet. Susan Winchester will serve as the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Jennifer Grisby has been named Secretary of Economic Administration.
Winchester served in the Oklahoma House and was the first woman Speaker Pro-Tempore.
“I am thrilled to welcome Susan Winchester to our team as Secretary of Licensing and Regulation,” said Stitt. “Susan brings unparalleled experience and shares my commitment to unleashing Oklahoma’s full economic potential. She will prove integral in our pursuit to become a Top Ten state.”
Winchester will oversee 80 state agencies as Secretary of Licensing and Regulation.
“It is an honor to return to serve the state of Oklahoma in this new role,” said Winchester. “I am excited to get to work with Governor Stitt to move our state forward by cutting red tape, getting rid of excessive regulations and creating a system that encourages success instead of preserving mediocrity.”
Grigsby retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ascent Resources in 2020. Previous to that, she spent 19 years at Chesapeake Energy. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of CrossFirst Bankshares in Leawood, Kansas.
“Jennifer Grigsby will be an incredible asset to our team,” said Stitt. “Her work ethic, drive for excellence and determination to move Oklahoma forward will have an immediate, positive impact and I am thrilled to welcome her to this new role.”
Grigsby will over see more than 20 state agencies including the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office.
“I am honored to join Governor Stitt’s cabinet,” said Grigsby. “As a native Oklahoman and lifelong resident, I am passionate about the advancement of our state. I look forward to serving the people of Oklahoma by applying my corporate leadership experience to make state government more efficient and work better for taxpayers.”
Both Winchester and Grigsby will have to be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
Why do we always dredge up old, tired pols to serve in these, ahem, new positions?