Her staff changes are nothing on the order of those for President Trump, but Gov. Mary Fallin finds herself looking for another secretary of state.
Dave Lopez submitted this resignation letter to the governor this week indicating he is resigning to focus on personal and business interests. He plans to leave office by March 30.
Lopez, a former executive with SBC Communications had previously been the governor’s Secretary of Commerce, holding the cabinet position from 2011 until 2013.
He was appointed Secretary of State in March of last year.
“As secretary of state, he helped my efforts to implement pro-growth, fiscally responsible and conservative policies to move our state forward. He also worked diligently with business leaders in the state who banded together with community members to put together the Step Up Oklahoma revenue and reform package, which narrowly failed to achieve the necessary three-fourths majority in the House of Representatives last month,” Fallin said in a written statement.
“On education and workforce, Dave and I share an unwavering belief that the key to long-term economic prosperity is a good education and high-quality public schools. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Lopez had previously been the interim superintendent of the Oklahoma City Public School district while a national search was held to find a permanent superintendent.He also had previously been president of the Oklahoma City-based American Fidelity Foundation which awards grants for economic development, education, human services and arts.
Even as secretary of state, Lopez continued to be active on the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, BancFirst Corp., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the University of Central Oklahoma Foundation, the University of Oklahoma College of Education Board of Advisors and the Wes Welker Foundation.
