Secretary of state for Oklahoma resigns
Dave Lopez, who for the last year has served as Oklahoma’s secretary of state, has submitted his resignation.
Lopez turned in his resignation letter to Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday. He wrote that he is resigning to focus on personal and business endeavors. Lopez will leave the office by March 30.
As secretary of state, Lopez serves as a senior adviser to the governor on policy, economic and legislative issues. His office also maintains some state records, including gubernatorial proclamations, executive orders and corporate organization filings. He served as the governor’s secretary of commerce from 2011 until 2013.
“As secretary of state, he helped my efforts to implement pro-growth, fiscally responsible and conservative policies to move our state forward. He also worked diligently with business leaders in the state who banded together with community members to put together the Step Up Oklahoma revenue and reform package, which narrowly failed to achieve the necessary three-fourths majority in the House of Representatives last month,” Fallin said in a written statement.
“On education and workforce, Dave and I share an unwavering belief that the key to long-term economic prosperity is a good education and high-quality public schools. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
In March 2017, Lopez was selected for the role by Fallin after former secretary of state Mike Hunter accepted the job of attorney general. The post, unlike other state officials, is not an elected position.
Before entering state service, Lopez served as interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools while the school board launched and concluded a national search for a permanent superintendent.
He previously served as president of Oklahoma City-based American Fidelity Foundation, a charitable foundation that gives grants for economic development, education, human services and the arts. Before joining American Fidelity Foundation, Lopez served as president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. and had a 22-year career with SBC Communications, according to Fallin’s office.
When Lopez became secretary of state, he continued service on numerous boards, including the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, BancFirst Corp., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, University of Oklahoma College of Education Board of Advisors, University of Central Oklahoma Foundation and the Wes Welker Foundation.