By Constitution Staff

In December, as Governor Mary Fallin completed her first term and was set to begin her second term as governor, the state's chief executive announced a series changes to her cabinet and executive positions. The changes impact military, veterans, commerce, and tourism.

Brig. Gen. Robbie L. Asher was named Oklahoma adjutant general effective February 2 and will command the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, who becomes the governor's Secretary of Veterans Affairs on that date. Deering replaces Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon, who will occupy a new position, helping to integrate services and create better cooperation between the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) and other state agencies.

Military and Veterans

Gen. Asher previously served as the primary assistant to the Adjutant General, with overall responsibility and oversight of more than 1,000 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen. He also served on active duty in the 101st Airborne Division as an enlisted member for two years followed by five years enlisted service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Upon commissioning, Gen. Asher served in a variety of infantry, anti-armor, and personnel assignments. He commanded the First Battalion 279th Infantry prior to his selection as Deputy Commander, 45th Infantry Brigade. He deployed with his brigade to Afghanistan in 2003.

Gen. Deering began his military career in 1971, and has served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard since 1977 and as Oklahoma's adjutant general since 2009, appointed by Governor Brad Henry. Prior to being named adjutant general in 2009, he served as director of manpower and personnel at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. During his military career, Gen. Deering has served in a wide variety of areas. In 2005, Gen. Deering led 2,500 Oklahoma National Guard troops during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In 2008 he commanded troops for the Multi-National Force in Iraq.

Gen. Aragon previously served as the commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and as the Air National Guard assistant to the deputy chief of staff of Staff Manpower and Personnel at the Pentagon, where she was the senior Air National Guard officer responsible for military and civilian personnel management, education, training and resource allocation. She was the first woman in the United States to command a state's Air National Guard. In addition to her military career, Gen. Aragon has served as an elementary school teacher and an elementary school principal. She is the first woman to serve as state Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Gov. Fallin also appointed three new members to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. Previously, the commission was made up of representatives of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Fallin added representatives of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Guard Association of Oklahoma. She also appointed a fourth veteran who will serve as an at-large member. "These new appointees will broaden the scope of experiences on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission and ensure the state is providing the best services to Oklahoma's veterans," said Fallin.

Commerce and Tourism

On December 3, Larry V. Parman announced plans to step down state Secretary of Commerce at the end of the month. Parman had served as both Secretary of Commerce and director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) since October of 2013. Prior to his service at ODOC, Parman served as Oklahoma's secretary of state.

Fallin announced that on January 20, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) executive director Deby Snodgrass would begin serving as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC). Snodgrass steps down from her current post at Tourism which she has held the past four years and will be replaced by a new director named by the Tourism Commission in February. Snodgrass also served as Gov. Fallin's Secretary of Tourism. Snodgrass will become state Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, combining the two cabinet-level posts.

"Oklahoma's Commerce and Tourism departments have complimentary roles," said Fallin. "Both are selling the state as an exciting place to visit, work and do business. Deby has done an outstanding job managing the Oklahoma "brand' as our secretary of tourism. Combining these two posts gives her an opportunity to coordinate that vision and ensure both departments are working together to promote Oklahoma as a special place to live, work and raise a family in."

As Tourism's executive director, Snodgrass helped move Oklahoma Tourism into the digital age, focusing on internet marketing and improving TravelOk.com. The site, Oklahoma's main online portal for tourism and recreation, now averages among the top-five most visited state tourism websites in the nation. Snodgrass successfully transferred ownership of several state parks to other entities, ensuring they remain open to the public without incurring costs to the state.

Snodgrass has more than 30 years experience in marketing and public policy in the private sector. Prior to accepting the Executive Director's post at OTRD, Snodgrass served as Senior Director of Public Affairs for Chesapeake Energy. Prior to her tenure at Chesapeake, Snodgrass was a founding partner of the public policy and research firm, Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates. She has been a frequent guest speaker and has taught policy and strategy at various national and international venues.