OKLAHOMA CITY – Just days after four officials appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt abruptly resigned their posts, the governor named three replacements.
Last week, Josh Cockroft, the secretary of state; Rick Rose, the director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services; Deputy Secretary of State Nitasha Rose — Rick Rose’s wife — and Evan Brown, the director of the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth and Expansion at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, all resigned.
In a media announcement, Stitt praised Rose’s work at OMES. Rose previously served as chief of staff for former House Speakers Charles Mc-Call and T.W. Shannon.
“I’m grateful for Director Rose’s service to Oklahoma,” Stitt said. “I appreciate his work to help modernize state government and make it work better for the people. I wish him the best as he transitions back to the private sector.”
Rose’s resignation was criticized by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who claimed that Rose left his post because he refused to allow the Office of the Attorney General to purchase vehicles for the Organized Crime Task Force and Retail Theft Task Force.
Drummond said the vehicles are used by Drummond's law enforcement agents as they crack down on illegal marijuana grows and retail theft operations. Drummond said this refusal was 'presumably at [Stitt's] instruction.'
'If it is true that you or your staff instructed Director Rose to block the purchase of these vehicles, such an act would represent a serious misuse of your authority, causing direct harm to the ability of my law enforcement agents to do their job,' Drummond wrote in a letter to Stitt. 'If you did not direct or authorize this action, then you should remove Director Rose for abusing his position in a way that impedes ongoing law enforcement activities.'
Shortly after Drummond’s release was issued, Rose responded. Rose said his decision was made before Drummond sent his letter to the governor.
Rose said his decision was “based on conversations with his family and future in mind but noted the attorney general is now using his exit as an opportunity to score political points ahead of an election year.”
Rose said the attorney general’s letter came after Rose sent a letter last month to the AG’s office and several other agencies, asking them to justify recent agency growth and purchasing requests.
“It’s my job to make sure taxpayer money is spent wisely and on services that benefit Oklahomans,” Rose said. “When a request of this size comes through my office, it is my job to question it. The Attorney General’s Office has nearly doubled in both headcount and salaries since 2023. I am still awaiting justification as to why this is and why more taxpayer money is needed to purchase more vehicles.”
On Sept. 11, Stitt announced three “key strategic appointments” to strengthen leadership, drive operational excellence and reinforce governance across his administration during his final year in office.
Those appointments include Dustin Hilliary – the co-publisher of Southwest Ledger – as Senior Advisor; David Ostrowe as the state’s Chief Operating Officer and Donelle Harder as Secretary of State.
“We successfully launched this administration by bringing a fresh set of eyes from Oklahoma’s business community, and we will finish the same way,” Stitt said in a media statement. “These three outstanding Oklahomans bring diverse strengths: Dustin’s trusted leadership and negotiation prowess, David’s operational acumen, and Donelle’s strategic vision. Together, they elevate the capacity of my administration as we push forward on our agenda, and I am confident we can continue to deliver lasting results for the people of Oklahoma.”
Hilliary, the co-owner of Hilliary Communications, will serve as chief negotiator with state legislators and elected officials. Stitt said Hilliary is a third-generation entrepreneur who helped grow his family’s broadband, media and telecommunications enterprise and who brought critical infrastructure and trusted journalism to rural Oklahoma.
Hilliary said he was pleased to work with the governor.
“It is an honor to serve Oklahoma and to work alongside Governor Stitt in his final term to advance policies with the Legislature that put our state on a strong path today and for future generations,” he said.
Stitt said Ostrowe will drive cabinet coordination and support agency directors statewide. Ostrowe currently serves as president & CEO of the O&M Restaurant Group, where he has led the expansion of established brands and launched new concepts across multiple states. He previously served as the state’s first Secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration, overseeing 54 agencies, boards and commissions.
“In Governor Stitt’s first administration, we worked with passion to deliver digital transformation and make government more efficient and transparent. I am honored to return as COO to help finish that mission and continue advancing good government for all Oklahomans,” Ostrowe said.
Harder will serve as Secretary of State. The governor said she brings more than 15 years of experience in leading large-scale public affairs and policy strategies in both public and private sectors. She previously served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Secretary of State under Governor Stitt, where she directed multi-agency reforms and developed the Governor’s first legislative agenda.
“I’m honored to serve as Secretary of State and support Governor Stitt’s administration again,” Harder said. “I look forward to sharpening our strategic approach and ensuring this administration remains effective and focused on delivering good government for the people of Oklahoma.”
Stitt said he would name an interim OMES director soon.
Stitt’s announcement drew praise from Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle. Paxton said Harder and Hilliary “were outstanding hires.”
“They have proven track records in the private sector, strong knowledge of the legislative process and trusted relationships in both chambers of the Legislature,” Paxton said. “I commend Donelle, a former senior advisor to the governor, for returning to public service. She brings a talent and skillset that are unmatched in high-stakes political operations. Donelle knows how to build teams, consensus around issues and shape public policy.
“Dustin is a capitalist to his core with unparalleled expertise in business development and management. I know Dustin to be a master strategist who has found success in everything he has done. He is a leader who truly cares about the future of the state of Oklahoma.”
State lawmakers will return to the Capitol for the Second Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature in February 2026.