Stitt taps former business exec to head Oklahoma office

Steven Harpe

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is naming an executive from his former company to head up the state’s budget and technology office.

Stitt announced on Wednesday that he’s appointing Steven Harpe as the new director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The state agency functions as Oklahoma’s human resources department, handling duties like state finance, employee benefits, property and information technology.

Harpe previously worked as chief information officer at Gateway Mortgage Group, the Jenks-based company that Stitt founded. Harpe replaces John Budd, who will transition to a separate role as the governor’s chief operating officer.