Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed the head of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority as his Secretary of Transportation on Friday.
OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz would replace Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Mike Patterson as transportation secretary. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.
Before joining OTA, Gatz served as deputy director of ODOT from 2013 to 2016. He was heavily involved in the agency's development of an eight-year work plan, instituted in 2002.
"This cabinet is about developing a team of Oklahomans who are ready to do things differently in state government and pursue bold ideas that can make Oklahoma a Top Ten state," Stitt said in a statement. "I asked Tim Gatz to serve as Secretary of Transportation because he is the right leader for us to take a fresh approach to developing our state’s infrastructure, one that is fiscally responsible and continues to attract job creators to Oklahoma."
Stitt also appointed on Friday O&M Restaurant Group President and CEO David Ostrowe to be his Secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration.
"David Ostrowe has a history of bringing new life to stagnant companies, and I welcome his thought leadership in bringing state government in to the 21st century with how we are delivering services effectively and efficiently," Stitt said.
Ostrowe will also take on oversight responsibilities previously handled by state secretaries of finance. His appointment also requires Senate confirmation.
