Oklahoma Turnpike Authority names new director

Stewart, 49, will start his new duties April 1. His annual salary will be $133,000.

Stewart, of Edmond, has been with the turnpike authority for 28 years. A graduate of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City with a degree in civil engineering, he started out as a maintenance worker on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and worked his way up through the organization. He has been deputy director and chief operating officer since 2005.

“We're good as an organization because of the people who work here,” Stewart said. “We have a strong staff and a good staff that have been diligent and worked hard to create a strong environment and a strong organization. I appreciate their expertise, support and help and couldn't be what I am today without their help and diligence.”

Authority members met for about 15 minutes in closed, executive session Friday before voting unanimously in an open meeting to promote Stewart.

“I don't think we could have a finer selection,” said Albert C. Kelly, chairman of the turnpike authority. “He's the best person for this job in the country, period.”

“We were very comfortable … with the fact that Tim has grown up through the ranks,” said authority member Gene Love. “We were totally convinced that there's just nobody else we could find anyplace else in the country.”