Gary Ridley Named New Transportation Secretary
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 10, 2009
Gov. Brad Henry has named state Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley as his secretary of transportation.
Henry named Ridley to the cabinet post on Friday after accepting the resignation of Transportation Secretary Phil Tomlinson.
Tomlinson also serves as Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and recently told the governor he wanted to reduce his workload and relinquish his cabinet duties. He will continue to lead the OTA which oversees the state's toll road system.
Ridley is a registered professional engineer and has worked at the Transportation Department for about 40 years. He became agency director in 2001.
Ridley will remain ODOT director and assume his cabinet secretary duties immediately. The post requires Senate confirmation.
Posted on Fri, April 10, 2009
by Crystal Drwenski