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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2017
Governor Mary Fallin Names Special Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Entertainment
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today
announced the appointment of Patrick Fitzgerald as her special adviser for innovation,
entrepreneurship and entertainment.
Fitzgerald, of Norman, has more
than 30 years of experience in various industries with an exceptional track
record for innovation, leadership and mastery of various disciplines, such as
Apple iTunes, Walt Disney Studios, Citibank (Caribbean and Latin America) and
Campbell Soup Co. He had global responsibilities at Apple and at Walt Disney
Studios.
As the governor’s special adviser
for innovation, entrepreneurship and entertainment, Fitzgerald will attend
Cabinet meetings and help set policy in attracting entrepreneurs and in
developing training for high-tech jobs.
“Fostering creativity and innovation and
technology skills in our people is one of the most important keys to growing
our economy and improving our quality of life,” said Fallin. “Patrick has the
knowledge and experience to help our state develop in these areas. He’ll also
encourage and cultivate our young people to pursue training in coding and ‘digital
manufacturing ‘so that they will be a relevant, skilled workforce attractive to
companies seeking to fill job openings.”
Fitzgerald operates and runs a
consulting practice working with investment companies and industry leaders to install best
practices and drive results. He was born
and raised in Oklahoma, and recently returned to the state after working 30
years in various technology and entertainment industries.
He served as vice president and
general manager of iTunes where he led global video product development,
deals, marketing and merchandising for various products, while also leading operations
for all of iTunes products. Prior to that,
he worked at Disney as acting chief operating officer for the home
entertainment division of the studio where he led and executed the first
digital strategy deals in the industry for movies and led the first global
retail marketing and branding campaign for the division, something that is still in place
today.
“I’m happy to return to my home
state and I help the state evolve as it relates to
technology and entertainment and be a catalyst for continued growth in
Oklahoma,” Fitzgerald said. “I want to help develop a trained workforce and
look for funding opportunities for companies interested either in locating in
Oklahoma or in hiring part of their workforce from here. Many high-tech jobs
today like coding can be performed anywhere and people in those jobs can live
and work from anywhere. With the drive and work ethic the people of Oklahoma possess, they can and will thrive in this new global world we live in, but just
need more opportunities.”
While at Citibank, Fitzgerald led
the sales and distribution strategies for Latin America across all business lines. In addition, he led
in the design and installation of “micro” branches to better serve targeted
consumers while substantially decreasing costs.
At Campbell, he held various sales
and trade marketing positions.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern
Oklahoma State University with a double major in marketing and accounting. He
and his wife, Barbara, reside in Norman. They have a daughter, Morgan, and a son,
Ryan, who also reside in Oklahoma, and have started their careers here.
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 Patrick Fitzgerald
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