Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Sean Kouplen as the next Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, a cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation, and the hiring of Brent Kisling as the next executive director of the Department of Commerce.

“Sean Kouplen is a proven business leader and entrepreneur, full of vision, energy and passion for seeing our state thrive and achieve Top Ten status. His reputation and network, both in the state and nationwide, will help propel Oklahoma forward to achieve a robust recruitment agenda,” said Stitt. “Brent Kisling will provide a dynamic partnership with Kouplen, bringing a successful record of developing rural economies, crafting and executing major infrastructure projects and recruiting new job creators to our state.”

Kouplen will also continue his role as chairman and CEO of Regent Bank in Tulsa. Under Kouplen’s leadership, the bank has grown in size from $72 million to almost $600 million in assets since 2008. Kouplen serves on the Board of Directors for MetaFund, Hillcrest South Hospital, OSU Foundation, SouthPoint Church and is a member of Young President’s Organization and Oklahoma Bankers Association. Kouplen holds B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from OSU.

Kisling is currently the executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance where he is has worked since March 2009.

Stitt has hired John Budd as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new role in the governor’s office that will diagnose and help state agencies deliver more efficient, customer-focused services. Stitt will also appoint Budd as the Secretary of Agency Accountability, a cabinet title that will require Senate confirmation.

“In my conversation with governors from across the nation, I heard many credit their success to the hiring of a Chief Operating Officer in their administrations, a model not currently implemented in Oklahoma. This new COO role will be key to fulfilling my campaign commitment of delivering efficient, customer-centered government throughout our 120 agencies,” said Stitt.

Budd was most recently the executive vice president, chief strategy and business development officer for the Oklahoma City-based national headquarters of Sonic, America’s Drive-In.

Budd earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also received his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.