Michael Clingman named state finance director

By Michael McNutt

Published: November 17, 2008

Gov. Brad Henry today named Michael Clingman, secretary of the state Election Board, as the director of the Office of State Finance.

Clingman will succeed Tony Hutchison, who resigned the budget post earlier this year.

Clingman has headed up elections in Oklahoma since 2001.

The majority party’s caucus names the election board secretary, who also serves as secretary of the Senate. It requires Senate confirmation.

With Republicans taking control of the Senate, it was expected the GOP majority would name a new election board secretary.

Clingman, of Edmond, begins his new duties Dec. 1.

As director of the state finance office, Clingman will oversee the agency that provides budget and policy support to the governor. It also manages state revenue matters, reviews and processes state payroll and vendor claims, conducts gaming compliance reviews and oversees state information systems.

Clingman, 54, has more than 20 years of experience in public service. Before his appointment in 2001 as Election Board secretary, he served as commissioner of the Oklahoma Insurance Fund, administrator of the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Court and chief executive officer of the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission.

Clingman also served on the staff of former Gov. George Nigh in the 1980s and worked in the insurance industry.

Clingman was appointed election board secretary by then-President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore. Clingman succeeded Lance Ward, who retired.

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