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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2017
Governor Mary Fallin Appoints Former Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez as Secretary of State
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin
today announced today that former Oklahoma Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez House
is re-joining her Cabinet to fill the vacant position of secretary of state.
Lopez will begin his new duties Monday, March 27.
His appointment still must be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
Lopez succeeds Mike Hunter, whom the
governor appointed last month as attorney general.
As secretary of state, Lopez will
serve as a senior adviser to the governor on policy, economic and legislative
issues. He served as the governor’s secretary of commerce from 2011 until 2013.
“Dave
Lopez has been a successful businessman and tremendous civic leader with
connections all around the nation,” said Fallin. “He brings a great deal of
expertise and enthusiasm to the post and I’m delighted to have him back on my
Cabinet. He will help in my efforts to implement pro-growth, fiscally
responsible and conservative policies to move this state forward.”
Lopez is a longtime civic and community leader and currently serves as an
independent consultant.
From 2013 to 2014, he served as interim superintendent of Oklahoma City
Public Schools while the school board launched and concluded a national search
for a permanent superintendent.
Lopez previously served as president of Oklahoma City-based American
Fidelity Foundation, a charitable foundation that gives grants for economic
development, education, human services and the arts. Before joining American
Fidelity Foundation, Lopez served as president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.
Prior to that, he had a 22-year career with SBC Communications (now
AT&T), including serving as president of SBC Oklahoma and as president of
SBC Texas.
“I’m honored to once again serve in the governor’s administration and look
forward to working with her to grow Oklahoma’s economy and bring more jobs and
opportunities to our state.”
Lopez serves on numerous boards, including the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
of Commerce, Banc First Corp., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma City Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, University of Oklahoma College of Education Board of
Advisers, University of Central Oklahoma Foundation and Wes Welker Foundation.
He has received many honors and awards including induction into the Oklahoma
City University Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor, the Corporate Advocate
Award from the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Humanitarian of the
Year award from the Oklahoma City chapter of the National Conference of
Christians and Jews.
Lopez earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State
University. He and his wife, Lana, live in Oklahoma City and have five
children and eight grandchildren.
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 Dave Lopez
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