Dennis Semler, who was Tulsa County Treasurer for the past 25 years, has retired and his Chief Deputy John Fothergill has been named acting treasurer.

Summer McKerrell has assumed Fothergill’s duties. Gov. Kevin Stitt has scheduled a special election in February to replace Semler, who was an assistant district attorney for Tulsa County prior to becoming treasurer. Stitt has 30 days since Semler’s departure to announce an election date.

“(Semler) is the longest serving Treasurer in Tulsa County’s history and I personally, along with his staff, cannot thank him enough for his leadership, integrity, professionalism and dedication to the citizens of Tulsa County,” Fothergill said in a press release. “Thanks to him, the public has experienced drastic operational cost savings, enjoyed a senior sales tax rebate program, can pay property taxes at temporary locations each year as well as electronically, and so much more.”

Officials said Semler’s early retirement will cause very little change until a new treasurer is elected. The annual remote cashiering choices with local banks is still on schedule for upcoming weeks.

Fothergill is a graduate of Jenks High School and Northeastern State University with a B.A. in Finance. He served as Chief Deputy for Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith.

Before he came to Tulsa County, he worked for over a decade at the Tulsa City Council where he was the Director of Constituent Services, Legislative Liaison, and Council Aide serving all nine City of Tulsa Districts. He is a former Board of Adjustment Member, City Councilor, and Vice-Mayor of Sand Springs. He also served on the Tulsa Area Metropolitan Planning Commission, was a former Chair and committee member of PatriotFest, and a former board member of Oklahoma Municipal League.

Fothergill is a member of the Coalition of Tulsa Area Governments and has served 16-years on the Event Management Team for Oktoberfest. In addition, he is currently a board member of the Sand Springs Rotary, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust, the Lucile Page Manor Apartments, Route 66 Main Street, and Tulsa Levee District 12.