Governor-Elect Kevin Stitt Names Sonic Exec As COO

Oklahoma's incoming governor added a Sonic Corporation executive to his cabinet. Stitt hired John Budd as chief operating officer, a new role in the governor's office. Stitt said in his campaign that the position would be tasked with helping state agencies deliver efficient, customer-focused services, a news release states.

Stitt will also appoint Budd as the Secretary of Agency Accountability- a job that requires Senate confirmation.

Stitt created the COO position to oversee agency accountability reforms.

“In my conversation with governors from across the nation, I heard many credit their success to the hiring of a Chief Operating Officer in their administrations, a model not currently implemented in Oklahoma," Stitt said.

"This new COO role will be key to fulfilling my campaign commitment of delivering efficient, customer-centered government throughout our 120 agencies."