Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Chief of Staff Michael Junk is leaving the Stitt Administration to pursue opportunities closer to his family in Tulsa effective July 31.

“Michael Junk has been a steady hand that helped guide us through a number of historic challenges throughout my first 18 months in office,” said Gov. Stitt.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime working alongside Governor Stitt,” said Junk.

Junk, 36, joined Gov. Stitt’s transition team in November 2018 after previously serving as Deputy Mayor of Tulsa. He has continued to reside in Tulsa with his wife, Kathryn, and their three children, including a 14-week-old son born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Deputy Chief of Staff Zachary Lee will take over as interim Chief of Staff upon Junk’s departure. The search for a permanent replacement is currently underway.