Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-5003.5

A. The Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Department of

Commerce shall be appointed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Board created in Section 4 of this act. The Chief Executive Officer

shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall continue to serve

until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. The salary of

the Chief Executive Officer shall be compensated in a manner that

compares equally to similar positions in the private sector. The

salary of the Chief Executive Officer shall not be set pursuant to

the standards provided in Section 3601.2 of this title.

B. The Chief Executive Officer shall be qualified for such

position by character, personality, ability, education, training and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 1016

successful administrative experience in the public or private

sector. The Chief Executive Officer shall have experience that

includes, but is not limited to:

1. Economic development program leadership;

2. Business development leadership;

3. Senior-level board management and leadership;

4. Senior-level business and political engagement;

5. Leading business development or business recruitment teams;

6. Creating and implementing sector development strategies;

7. Branding and marketing leadership experience; and

8. Experience in recruiting companies to a state or community.

C. The Chief Executive Officer shall employ such persons as are

necessary to implement the powers and duties of the Department.

Because many of the powers and duties of the Department involve

working closely with the private sector, certain employee positions

of the Department shall be employed and compensated in a manner that

compares equally to similar positions in the private sector and

shall be exempt from the provisions of the Civil Service and Human

Capital Modernization Act. All other employees and positions shall

be subject to the provisions of the Civil Service and Human Capital

Modernization Act. Provided, nothing in this section shall be

construed to limit the authority of the Legislature to specify the

status of positions otherwise by law. Neither shall the Chief

Executive Officer have the authority to circumvent, disregard or

otherwise disobey specific provisions of law regarding positions in

the Department.

D. The Chief Executive Officer shall serve on the board of:

1. The Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority;

2. The Oklahoma Development Finance Authority; and

3. The Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority.

E. The Chief Executive Officer may serve as administrator of

any interlocal agreement or compact to pursue economic development

and to assign any employees of the Department or employee personnel

to carry out duties or obligations pursuant to any interlocal

agreement or compact for economic development.

F. The Chief Executive Officer, at his or her discretion, may

approve payment for affiliations or memberships of the Department

or, if necessary, associate memberships for individual employees in

international, national, or state economic development councils,

professional organizations, or governmental associations.