Formed June 6, 1986 | ||
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Headquarters 900 N Stiles Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Minister responsible Larry Parman, Secretary of Commerce Child agencies Department of Commerce
Department of Labor
Employment Security Commission
Housing Finance Agency
Workers' Compensation Commission Website Office of the Secretary of Commerce | ||
The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on economic development and trade promotion.
Contents
The current Secretary is Larry Parman, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in 2013.
History
The Secretary of Commerce was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the State government's economic development activities. The position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed the Secretary to advise the Governor on economic development policy and advise the state's economic development agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.
The position of Secretary of Commerce was disestablished in 2003 when Governor Brad Henry issued an executive order merging the position with that of Secretary of Tourism into a single position of Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. His successor, Mary Fallin, continued the position until 2013 when she issued an executive order splitting the position into its previous two positions.
Dual Position
Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Commerce has also served as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. As of 2014, all Secretaries except Dave Lopez have served in this dual position. From 2012 to 2013, Secretary Lopez became the first when he resigned as Director but remained as Cabinet Secretary.
Agencies overseen
The Secretary of Commerce oversees the following state entities:
Salary
The annual salary of the Secretary of Commerce is set by law at $70,000. Despite this law, if the Secretary serves as the head of a state agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Since incumbent Cabinet Secretary Larry Parman also serves as the Director of the Commerce Department, he received the salary allowed for that position. As of 2014, the annual salary of that position is set at $112,500.
List of Secretaries
Secretary of Commerce (1986–2003)
Secretary of Commerce and Tourism (2003–2013)
Secretary of Commerce (2013-present)