Governor Stitt announces new chief of staff, chief policy advisor
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Today Governor Kevin Stitt announced the additions of Bond Payne as his new chief of staff and former Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman as his chief policy advisor.
Payne is the co-founder and chairman of Heritage Trust Company and the vice-chairman of Argent Financial Group in Oklahoma City.
“Bond Payne will play a key role in helping us build bridges both inside the Capitol and out in the community,” said Gov. Stitt. “He will be a trusted sounding board for me as we work together to carry out my vision of making Oklahoma a Top Ten state.”
He also served on Oklahoma City’s Bond Advisory Committee and Economic Development Trust and has held leadership roles with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City YPO chapter. He also worked as a national recruiter for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce from 1995 to 1997.
“It is an honor to be able to serve Governor Stitt and my home state during this challenging time for Oklahoma,” said Payne. “I wholeheartedly embrace the Governor’s goal of Oklahoma becoming a Top Ten state and look forward to working with leaders across the state to make it happen.”
As chief policy advisor, Brian Bingman brings more than a decade of state legislative experience to the Governor’s Office. He represented Senate District 12 from 2006 to 2016 and House District 30 from 2004 to 2006. Bingman served as President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate from 2011 to 2016 and also as Mayor of Sapulpa from 1992 to 2004.
“I am excited to use Senator Bingman’s vast experience to partner with the Legislature to make our state a better place to live and work for all 4 million Oklahomans,” said Gov. Stitt. “He understands the process to get things accomplished at the Capitol and will be a great resource for my administration and our state.”
Bingman was the first Republican in state history to serve three terms as Pro Tempore of the Senate. Under his leadership, landmark workers’ compensation and lawsuit reform became law, and he authored and pushed for a reduction in Oklahoma’s income tax rate.
“I am honored to be asked to join Governor Stitt’s team and I am ready to dive in and get to work,” said Bingman. “Our colleagues in the Legislature share our desire to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state and together we can accomplish great things.”
Bond and Bingman will officially join the team by Sept. 1. Exact start dates are still being determined.