Governor Stitt Thanks Secretary Tim Gatz for 37 Years of Service, Appoints TJ Dill as Interim Director

Officer of Governor J Kevin Stitt Press Release October 07, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 7, 2026) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced that Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Executive Director Tim Gatz will retire from the agency, effective October 31, 2026."Tim has been with my administration since the very beginning, and he's been my go-to on every road, bridge, and turnpike question for nearly eight years," said Governor Stitt. "When we took office, we said we wanted Oklahoma to be a Top Ten state, and Tim took that personally. Today, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for bridge conditions, a long way from where we were two decades ago. I wish him the best in this next chapter."Gatz has served as Governor Stitt's secretary of transportation since 2019. He will continue to serve as secretary of transportation for the remainder of Governor Stitt’s term.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as a member of Governor Stitt's Cabinet and to be part of an incredible team," said Secretary Gatz. "Even in the face of daunting challenges, we have improved our transportation partnerships, system, and infrastructure extensively since 2019. I want to thank the Governor for being a great leader during some of the most difficult times our state has ever experienced. He pushed us all to keep our eye on the ball, to bring our best every day, and to be humble, innovative, and accountable. Most importantly, he lifted us up and stood with us when we needed support."

Gatz began his career at ODOT in 1990 as a drafting technician and rose through the ranks, joining the agency's executive team in 2006 and serving as deputy director from 2013 to 2016. Under his leadership, Oklahoma has climbed to fourth in the nation for bridge conditions, with only a small fraction of the state's nearly 6,800 highway bridges classified as structurally deficient.

Governor Stitt has named ODOT’s chief engineer, TJ Dill, as interim director.

“TJ has spent his career working to improve infrastructure across Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “I’m thankful that he has stepped up to lead the agency after years of serving with Tim Gatz.”

Dill has served in multiple roles within ODOT since 2013. Since 2024, Dill has served as chief engineer for ODOT, leading statewide engineering and operational functions. Dill is originally from El Reno and currently resides in Yukon with his wife and three children.

“I am grateful for the confidence the Governor has placed in me as Interim Director and remain committed to serving the people of Oklahoma with integrity and dedication,” said Dill.

View the press release: Oklahoma.gov