Oklahoma Governor Names Former Cherokee Nation Business CEO To New Job

The former president and CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses has been named by Governor Mary Fallin as the new boss over the MidAmerica Industrial Park.

The governor says she has appointed David Stewart as the chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority [OOWA], which operates MidAmerica Industrial Park.

Stewart succeeds Sanders Mitchell who headed the organization for 35 years before retiring earlier this year.

"David Stewart is an experienced business leader and Oklahoma is fortunate to have him," Mary Fallin said. "I appreciate the efforts of the MidAmerica board in conducting an extensive search to identify a person with his record of success. My top priority as governor is to create jobs and grow the economy in Oklahoma, and David is going to play an important role as chief administrative officer at MidAmerica. I look forward to working with him and the MidAmerica board as we work to further utilize a terrific asset to help us attract more successful companies to Oklahoma."

The OOWA was created as a state beneficiary public trust in 1960 and owns the 9,000-acre industrial park south of Pryor which is home to nearly 80 companies, including Google, Solae, Airgas, Georgia- Pacific, Red Devil, and others.

Stewart's appointment is effective immediately.

6/18/2012 Related Story: Former Cherokee Nation Business CEO Gets New Job With Osage Nation