ENID, OK - Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of Brent Kisling of Enid as the new executive director of the Department of Commerce. Kisling is the executive director of the Enid Regional Development Alliance and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the George W. Bush administration. He will replace Deby Snodgrass, a longtime ally of outgoing Gov. Mary Fallin.
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Tulsa bank executive Sean Kouplen was also announced as the next secretary of commerce and workforce development. Kisling will oversee the operations of the Department of Commerce and will report to Kouplen.
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“Brent Kisling will provide a dynamic partnership with Kouplen, bringing a successful record of developing rural economies, crafting and executing major infrastructure projects and recruiting new job creators to our state,” said Stitt. “With their leadership, the Department of Commerce will play an integral role in Oklahoma’s Turnaround as the agency’s mission will focus on growing our state and diversify Oklahoma’s economy.”
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In a released statement, Kouplen said Kisling will do an amazing job as executive director. “He is a very well-respected leader and economic development professional in our state,” Kouplen said. “Brent will direct the Department of Commerce on a day-to-day basis while I will provide strategic support and focus my time on telling Oklahoma’s story and actively recruiting new business. We will function together much like a Chairman and CEO in a business setting.”
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“Sean and I have been friends for many years, and I am thrilled to be working with him to help create an environment for businesses to grow in our state,” Kisling said in a released statement. “Our vision for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is to aggressively work with our state’s legacy companies to add jobs and investment and to actively pursue new industries to locate here. We will work closely with local communities by providing creativity, support, and incentives to help them prosper. Our job is to tell the world about Oklahoma’s many competitive advantages including our strong quality of life, low cost of doing business, low tax burden and excellent workforce.”
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Kisling Appointed To Gov. Stitt's Administration
