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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2018
Governor Mary Fallin Recognizes Service of Oklahoma’s Insurance Commissioner, Emergency Management Director
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today presented citations to Oklahoma Insurance
Commissioner John Doak and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director
Albert Ashwood.
The governor thanked
Doak for his visionary efforts the past seven years as insurance commissioner,
such as organizing the National Tornado Summit held in Oklahoma City the past
seven years. Doak, elected in 2010, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election
this year.
The tornado summit is
an annual disaster preparedness conference for insurance professionals,
emergency managers and meteorologists. Nearly 6,000 from across the country
have attended the seminars, including about 700 this year.
“We may never have the
technology to predict exactly when and where tornadoes will strike, but we can
be prepared by having these conferences that bring together first responders,
meteorologist, civic and state officials, and insurance adjusters,” said
Fallin. “From all over the nation, we can all learn from each other how to
better prepare for and recover from tornadoes and other natural catastrophes.”
The governor thanked
Doak for transforming Oklahoma’s insurance department by sending out staff
across the state to educate citizens before disaster strikes and to offer
assistance after it does.
“Your staff has
responded to tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and ice storms to help victims
quickly recover from catastrophe,” Fallin said.
Ashwood is the
longest-tenured emergency management director in the nation. He was appointed Oklahoma’s emergency management
director in 1997.
“During that time, he
has overseen the distribution of more than $1 billion in federal and state aid
following dozens of presidentially declared disasters, including the bombing of
the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, where he headed
forward operations for the first three days of the incident before turning his
attention to recovery efforts,” Fallin said. “After the September 11, 2001,
terrorists attacks, Albert spent two weeks at ground zero helping establish and
implement debris removal operations at the request of New York’s governor. His
accomplishments and accolades are numerous, and the state of Oklahoma is
grateful for his dedicated service and leadership.”
Ashwood has been a
state employee for 30 years. He is retiring Sept. 1.
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 Governor Mary Fallin presents a citation Wednesday to Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak during the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City.
 Governor Mary Fallin presents a citation Wednesday to Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood during the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City.
Web: www.governor.ok.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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