Gov. Kevin Stitt has nominated Mike Mazzei as the Secretary of Budget, a newly created cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation.

As Secretary of Budget, Mazzei will be responsible for preparing and finalizing the governor’s annual state budget, providing oversight of its implementation and giving counsel for the state’s financial strategy.

“Mike Mazzei brings a depth of knowledge from his time as chair of the Senate Finance Committee as well as his success in the private sector that will benefit our administration greatly,” said Stitt. “As Secretary of Budget, he will continue to ensure that our fiscal house is in order and that accountability and transparency measures are implemented with the state’s use of Oklahomans’ hard-earned tax dollars.”

Mazzei is the president of Tulsa Wealth Advisors and is a certified financial planner. Mazzei served as the Oklahoma Senator for Senate District 25 from 2004 to 2016. During his time in the legislature, Mazzei chaired the Senate Finance Committee for 10 years. His major accomplishments as a state senator include: fixing the broken pensions system in the state, eliminating the special retirement benefit for elected officials, authoring the Quick Action Closing Fund, and authoring the 21st Century Quality Jobs Program. He holds a bachelor of arts from George Mason University and a master of science in personal financial planning from the College for Financial Planning.

“Making Oklahoma a Top 10 State begins with getting our financial engine fired up. Senator Mike Mazzei is the right leader with the vision, experience, and jumper cables to launch us forward,” said Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Tulsa.

“Mike Mazzei has the enviable talent of accurately investigating, researching, and dissecting numbers, spreadsheets, and the like, and, then, explaining the findings in a clear and concise way,” said Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa. “His experience in personal, corporate, and state finances gives him the depth and breadth few have acquired. In addition, former Senator Mazzei is a man of integrity, veracity, and straight forwardness. He lives his life with admirable devotion to his wife and children. Surely many were considered for the position of Secretary of Budget, but no one is more suited for this job. Our state will be well served by Mike Mazzei.”

Stitt also re-appointed of Major General (MG) Michael Thompson as Adjutant General of Oklahoma and Commissioner Rusty Rhoades as Oklahoma Commissioner of Public Safety. 

 “I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of GM Michael Thompson as the Adjutant General and Commissioner Rusty Rhoades as the Commissioner of Public Safety,” said Stitt. “Both are deeply committed to the safety and protection of the state and people of Oklahoma, highlighted by their impressive depth of experience and passion to serve.”

 MG Michael C. Thompson was first appointed as the Adjutant General in November 2017. In this function, he serves as the top military advisor to the governor and commands the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard. MG Thompson was commissioned in 1986 through the Oklahoma Military Department Officer Candidate School in Oklahoma City. In previous assignments for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, he has served as Assistant Adjutant General, Land Component Commander, Chief of Staff, and Commander of the 90th Troop Command. MG Thompson has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels. Prior to receiving his commission, MG Thompson served two and a half years as an enlisted soldier in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.