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Gov. Henry Names Safety and Security Secretary, Homeland Security Director and Emergency Management
Gov. Henry Names Safety and Security Secretary, Homeland Security Director and Emergency Management Director
(Oklahoma City) Governor Brad Henry has selected Kevin
Ward as his Cabinet Secretary for Safety and Security. Ward has also
been named Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. He succeeds
Bob Ricks who resigned as Commissioner of the Department of Public
Safety last fall. Ward was Assistant Commissioner under Ricks and has
been serving as Interim DPS Commissioner since October 2003. The
governor announced the cabinet appointment Friday saying Kevin Ward has
the experience and is the right person for the job.
“I have great confidence in Kevin’s ability to lead the DPS and build
consensus and cooperation among the agencies in the Safety and Security
Cabinet,” said Gov. Henry. “In these turbulent times we need no
reminder of the importance of cooperation among agencies in the
protection of our citizens.”
Ward began his law enforcement career in 1979 at the Bethany Police
Department. He joined the Department of Public Safety in 1980 serving
on the Governor’s Security detail before his appointment the Oklahoma
Highway Patrol in 1985. Ward moved through the ranks of the patrol and
on October 20, 2003, Governor Henry appointed him the Interim
Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
“I appreciate the opportunity to become a part of Governor Henry's
administration. Protecting the safety and security of the citizens of
Oklahoma is the highest honor. I look forward to serving Governor Henry
and the citizens of our state in this position,” said Ward.
Governor Henry also tapped Major Kerry Pettingill as Oklahoma Homeland
Security Director. Pettingill joined the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in
1982 and was commander of the DPS Tactical Teams Special Operations and
Bomb Squads. He was appointed as Deputy Director of Homeland Security
in 2002, which included overseeing personnel assigned to the FBI Joint
Terrorism Task Force.
Albert Ashwood will be retained as Director of the Oklahoma Department
of Emergency Management (OEM). Ashwood has been Director of the OEM
since his appointment in 1997. He has been with the agency fifteen
years.
“Major Pettingill and Albert Ashwood have the experience and
specialized skills to address our emergency management and homeland
security needs during the continuing war on terrorism,” said Gov. Henry.
Ward and Ashwood’s appointment require senate confirmation.
Biographical Information
Kevin Ward, 41, Yukon (Contact # 405-425-2001)
Secretary of Safety and Security, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety
Bethany Police Department, 1979
Governor’s Mansion Security, 1980-1985
Oklahoma Highway Patrol 1985-present
Kerry Pettingill, 45, Yukon (Contact # 405-425-7296)
Oklahoma Homeland Security Director
Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 1982-present
Oklahoma Homeland Security Deputy Director, 2002-2004
Albert Ashwood, 44, Chandler (Contact # 405-521-2481)
Editor/Reporter, Lincoln County News, 1985-1988
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, 1988-present
Director, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management 1997-present
