Phil Tomlinson
Encyclopedia
Phil Tomlinson is an American politician from the state of Oklahoma
that served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
from 2003 to 2009. Tomlinson served as Transportation Secretary under Governor of Oklahoma
Brad Henry
. In addition to serving as Transportation Secretary, Tomlinson served the Henry Administration as the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority from 2005 to 2009.
, Oklahoma. Prior to his service to Governor Henry, Tomlinson has served in the administrations of Republican
Governor Dewey F. Bartlett
and Democratic
Governor David Hall
in various posts. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in business administration, both from Oklahoma State University.
appointed Tomlinson to serve as his first Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
. As Transportation Secretary, Tomlinson oversaw all state transportation initiatives and the entities charged with implementing them, including the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
, the Oklahoma Transportation Authority
, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
and all Port Authorities within the state.
that Oklahoma has not benefited much from being a member of the North American SuperCorridor Coalition
(NASCO). Despite this, Tomlinson did recommend that Oklahoma should continue to participate in the organization, citing future investment as his reason. The state has been a member of NASCO since 1995.
, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
, to succeed Tomlinson as Secretary.
In October, 2009, Tomlinson resigned as Director of the Transportation Authority effective November 1, 2009. The Authority appointed Gary Ridley to succeed Tomlinson as Director. With his appointment as Turnpike Director, Ridely is the first person to serve concurrently as Transportation Secretary, Transportation Department Director and Turnpike Authority Director since Neal McCaleb
in 1999 under Governor Frank Keating
.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
that served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
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...
from 2003 to 2009. Tomlinson served as Transportation Secretary 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...
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
. In addition to serving as Transportation Secretary, Tomlinson served the Henry Administration as the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority from 2005 to 2009.
Biography
Tomlinson is commercial real estate investor from ShawneeShawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
, Oklahoma. Prior to his service to Governor Henry, Tomlinson has served in the administrations of Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor Dewey F. Bartlett
Dewey F. Bartlett
Dewey Follett Bartlett, Sr. , a U.S. politician, served as the 19th Governor of Oklahoma from 1967 to 1971, following his same-party Republican predecessor, Henry Bellmon. State law at that time did not allow consecutive terms for governor. In 1966, he was elected governor after defeating the...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor David Hall
David Hall (Oklahoma governor)
David Hall , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as the 20th Governor of Oklahoma from January 11, 1971 to January 13, 1975, after serving as Tulsa County District Attorney, and was previously a law professor at the University of Tulsa.- Early life :David Hall was born in Oklahoma City, and...
in various posts. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in business administration, both from Oklahoma State University.
Secretary of Transportation
In 2003, Governor of Oklahoma Brad HenryBrad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
appointed Tomlinson to serve as his first Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
The Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation 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...
. As Transportation Secretary, Tomlinson oversaw all state transportation initiatives and the entities charged with implementing them, including the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation the use of the state's transportation infrastructure...
, the Oklahoma Transportation Authority
Oklahoma Transportation Authority
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is a government agency of Oklahoma that deals with issues regarding the Oklahoma turnpike system...
, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is an agency of state government that is responsible for promoting aviation in the State. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, the Commission fosters the growth of the aerospace industry and ensures that the needs of business and...
, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority is a development authority created by the state of Oklahoma to operate a spaceport near Burns Flat, Oklahoma....
and all Port Authorities within the state.
Position on NAFTA Superhighway
In 2007, Tomlinson told members of the Oklahoma LegislatureOklahoma 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...
that Oklahoma has not benefited much from being a member of the North American SuperCorridor Coalition
North American SuperCorridor Coalition
150px|right|"NASCO project logo depicting the three associated countries' flag iconography as a singular element."The North America's Corridor Coalition is a non-profit organization that seeks to develop an international multi-modal transportation system along the International Mid-Continent Trade...
(NASCO). Despite this, Tomlinson did recommend that Oklahoma should continue to participate in the organization, citing future investment as his reason. The state has been a member of NASCO since 1995.
Resignation from State services
Tomlinson resigned as Transportation Secretary in April 2009. Tomlinson, who said he will continue to serves as Director of the Turnpike Authority, resigned due to his desire to reduce his workload. Governor Henry appointed Gary RidleyGary Ridley (transport director)
Gary Ridley, PE, is an American engineer from the state of Oklahoma who is the current Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, having served since he was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009...
, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation the use of the state's transportation infrastructure...
, to succeed Tomlinson as Secretary.
In October, 2009, Tomlinson resigned as Director of the Transportation Authority effective November 1, 2009. The Authority appointed Gary Ridley to succeed Tomlinson as Director. With his appointment as Turnpike Director, Ridely is the first person to serve concurrently as Transportation Secretary, Transportation Department Director and Turnpike Authority Director since Neal McCaleb
Neal McCaleb
Neal A. "Chief" McCaleb is an American civil engineer and Republican politician from Oklahoma. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, McCaleb served as in several position with Oklahoma state government and as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs under President of the United States...
in 1999 under Governor Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
.