Formed 1987 Annual budget $38 million | Employees 26 | |
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Headquarters 755 Research Parkway
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Minister responsible Stephen W. S. McKeever, Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology Agency executive C. Michael Carolina, Executive Director | ||
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, or ex officio members.
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The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin on January 10, 2011. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs.
The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon.
Leadership
The Center is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology. Under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Stephen W. S. McKeever is currently serving as the Secretary.
Board of Directors
The Board of Director is composed of 19 voting members, five ex officio members and 14 appointed by the Governor. The five ex officio members are the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, the president of the University of Oklahoma and the president of Oklahoma State University. Of those appointed by the Governor, one must be the president of a state funded university, one the president of a private university, two must engineers or scientists, five must executives at technology companies in Oklahoma, four must represent Oklahoma's small business, and one must represent rural Oklahoma.
As of 2009, the following are the current members of the Board:
The Board is also composed of two members of the Oklahoma Legislature, one from each chamber, who serve as non-voting members:
Organization
Programs
The Center offers numerous programs to assist the development of the State's economy. They are divided into three broad categories: