Governor Kevin Stitt announced today five appointments to the State Board of Corrections – including former Tulsa First Lady Kathy LaFortune.

“I am pleased to welcome five new members to the State Board of Corrections,” said Stitt. “They will each bring a diverse perspective to the Department of Corrections in order to implement needed change and innovative ideas. I look forward to working with the board to move our criminal justice and correction system forward.” The appointments are:

Dr. Kathryn LaFortune is a licensed Oklahoma health service psychologist and attorney who currently works at the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau to provide forensic psychological services in delinquency, deprived cases and juvenile competency. Her husband is former Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune, who is now a Tulsa County District Court judge.

Reginald Hines retired from the Department of Corrections after 37 years of service

Steven Harpe is the chief information officer of Gateway Mortgage Group, one of the nation’s largest, independent mortgage companies.

Rodney Thornton is the owner and president of Thornton Construction Company, Inc.

Betty Gesell lives in Bixby and is a former small business owner (1998-2012) and senior account representative at Mead Data Central/Lexis Nexis (1995-2000).

The Board of Corrections is a nine-person board with five members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.