Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency
of the government of Oklahoma
that is responsible for technology-based economic development
. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
, or ex officio members.
The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
on January 10, 2011. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs.
The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon
.
. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Mary Fallin
, Stephen W. S. McKeever is currently serving as the Secretary.
, the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
, the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
, the president of the University of Oklahoma
and the president of Oklahoma State University. Of those appointed by the Governor, one must be the president of a state funded university, one the president of a private university, two must engineers or scientists, five must executives at technology companies in Oklahoma, four must represent Oklahoma's small business, and one must represent rural Oklahoma.
As of 2009, the following are the current members of the Board:
The Board is also composed of two members of the Oklahoma Legislature
, one from each chamber, who serve as non-voting members:
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the government of Oklahoma
Government of Oklahoma
The government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
that is responsible for technology-based economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
, or ex officio members.
The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Stephen W. S. McKeever, who was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
on January 10, 2011. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs.
The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon
Henry Bellmon
Henry Louis "Harry" Bellmon was an American Republican politician from Oklahoma. He was a member of the Oklahoma Legislature, the 18th and 23rd Governor of Oklahoma , and a two-term United States Senator.-Service in World War II:Bellmon was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and graduated from Billings...
.
Leadership
The Center is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and TechnologyOklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, Stephen W. S. McKeever is currently serving as the Secretary.
Board of Directors
The Board of Director is composed of 19 voting members, five ex officio members and 14 appointed by the Governor. The five ex officio members are the Director of the Oklahoma Department of CommerceOklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the...
, the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that serves as the governing body of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, which is the largest provider of higher education in the state of Oklahoma...
, the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
, the president of the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
and the president of Oklahoma State University. Of those appointed by the Governor, one must be the president of a state funded university, one the president of a private university, two must engineers or scientists, five must executives at technology companies in Oklahoma, four must represent Oklahoma's small business, and one must represent rural Oklahoma.
As of 2009, the following are the current members of the Board:
- Dave LopezDave LopezDave Lopez is an American telecommunications executive who is currently the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin. Governor Fallin named Lopez as Secretary on January 27, 2011.-Biography:...
- Director of the Oklahoma Department of CommerceOklahoma Department of CommerceThe Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the... - Glen D. Johnson, Jr.Glen D. Johnson, Jr.Glen D. Johnson Jr. is the 8th and current Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a state system comprising 25 state colleges and universities, 10 constituent agencies, one higher education center and independent colleges and universities coordinated with the state...
- Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher EducationOklahoma State Regents for Higher EducationThe Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that serves as the governing body of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, which is the largest provider of higher education in the state of Oklahoma... - David L. BorenDavid L. BorenDavid Lyle Boren is an academic leader and American politician from the state of Oklahoma. A Democrat, he served as the 21st Governor of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1979 and in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1994. He is currently president of the University of Oklahoma. He was the longest serving...
- President of the University of OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its... - Burns HargisBurns HargisVaden Burns Hargis is the current President of the Oklahoma State University. He was named as OSU's 18th President in December 2007 and took office March 10, 2008....
- President of Oklahoma State University - Jim ReeseJim ReeseJim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and...
- Oklahoma Secretary of AgricultureOklahoma Secretary of AgricultureThe Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... - Roger Webb - President of the University of Central OklahomaUniversity of Central OklahomaThe University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
- Steadman Upham - President of the University of TulsaUniversity of TulsaThe University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
- Mark Ashton
- Gaylnn Beer - Chair of the Board
- Chelle Melton
- Tim Mather
- Rhonda Hooper
- Dayal Meshri
- Karl Reid
- Terry Salmon
- E. R. "Tracy" Shirley III
- Edward Shreve
- Sherri Wise - Vice Chair of the Board
The Board is also composed of two members of the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
, one from each chamber, who serve as non-voting members:
- Clark Jolley - Oklahoma State SenatorOklahoma SenateThe Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
from Oklahoma City - Mike Jackson - Oklahoma State RepresentativeOklahoma House of RepresentativesThe Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
from Enid
Organization
- Cabinet Secretary
- Board of Directors
- Executive Director
- Deputy Director
- Programs Division
- Administration and Finance Division
- Deputy Director
- Executive Director
Programs
The Center offers numerous programs to assist the development of the State's economy. They are divided into three broad categories:- Research Programs
- Oklahoma Applied Research Support program
- Oklahoma Health Research program
- Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project
- Invetor Programs
- Inventor Assistance Service
- Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
- Research and Development Interin Partnership program
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program
- Enterpreneur Programs
- Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative
- Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund
- Technology Businesss Finance Program
- Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center
Supporting agencies
- Oklahoma Applied Research Committee
- Oklahoma Health Research Committee
- Oklahoma Plant Sciences Research Advisory Committee
- Seed Capital Investment Committee
- Small Business Research Assistance Committee
- Oklahoma Aerospace Institute
- Center for Aerospace Supplier Quality
- Center of Excellence for Aerospace Technology
- Oklahoma Institute of Technology
- Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board