Stitt appoints Sec. of Public Safety, Sec. of Veteran Affair & Military

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SECRETARY OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND MILITARY

Oklahoma City, Okla. (February 21, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of two new cabinet members, Chip Keating as the Secretary of Public Safety and Brian Brurud as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military. Both cabinet members will serve in an unpaid capacity and both positions require Senate confirmation.

“Chip Keating is a strong advocate for Oklahoma’s public safety professionals. His business acumen will bring a fresh set of eyes to help strengthen the state’s law enforcement services while also giving an important focus on reforming our criminal justice system,” said Stitt. “As a former Navy fighter pilot, an entrepreneur, and an Oklahoman, Brian Brurud will do an outstanding job building community support around our five military installations and working to deliver strong oversight of the VA and better services for our state’s veterans. I appreciate both Chip and Brian’s passion to serve their state for a season, and I know they will be an effective part of delivering our shared vision for a Top Ten state.”

Anthony Francis “Chip” Keating III, 39, has been a principal with Keating Investments, a real estate and oil and gas investment company, since March 2010. Keating served as an Oklahoma State Trooper from May 2001 to August 2004 and is a Director and Gubernatorial appointee of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. He currently serves as a board member and immediate past president of The Children’s Hospital Foundation, Secretary of University Hospitals Authority Trust appointed by the Pro Temp of the Oklahoma State Senate and a director of OU Medicine, Inc. Mr. Keating holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

“Chip Keating is a former OHP Trooper and today is a very successful businessman who continues to volunteer his time and personal resources in support of law enforcement and public safety.  Governor Stitt has made the perfect choice for Secretary of Public Safety. Chip Keating has spent his life preparing himself for this important duty.” – Chief Justice Steven Taylor, Supreme Court of Oklahoma (Ret.)

“Governor Stitt has again shown his dedication to moving this State forward in an innovative and progressive way in his naming of Chip Keating as the Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety. Having served Oklahoma proudly as a State Trooper, Chip was highly respected by both those he served with and by those he served. Chip has gone on to continue his desire to serve his fellow man as a successful and philanthropic business owner. Chip's in depth knowledge of public safety and his business acumen are certain to make him a valuable asset to Governor Stitt's administration, Oklahoma public safety agencies, and the citizens of the Great State of Oklahoma. I'm honored to have the opportunity to work closely with a man of Chip Keating's, honor, honesty, integrity  character.” – Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

“Governor Stitt has once again proven Oklahoma's turn around begins now with his nomination of Chip Keating as Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety. Chip, having served as a State Trooper and a successful businessman, is the ideal candidate to blend the complex issues revolving around Public Safety and Criminal Justice. The timing is ideal to make great changes, with the chambers and all factions coming together to prioritize raising Oklahoma to the top of the right lists.” –Tricia Everest, Inasmuch Foundation

"As a former Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety, it is with great pleasure that I support Chip Keating's nomination for the position of Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety.  I had the privilege of hiring Mr. Keating as an Oklahoma State Trooper in 2001 and was able to observe him grow in maturity and ability. Now successful in private business, he will bring expertise from the public safety community and the business community which will greatly enhance Governor Stitt's efforts to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state." –Bob A. Ricks, former Oklahoma Secretary for Public Safety 

Brian Brurud is a former commercial airline pilot who currently serves as the CEO of Check-6 Inc, a global performance leadership consultancy comprised exclusively of carrier fighter pilots, Special-Operations operatives, and Astronauts. Prior to this, Brurud served 21 years as a fighter pilot for the Navy and Air National Guard, flying F-14, F/A-18, and F-16 aircraft. As one of the most decorated US Naval Fighter Pilots since the Vietnam War, Brurud has extensive experience in the US Military and the private business sectors. He was instrumental in bringing US Naval Carrier Aviation into the 21st Century; authoring numerous classified tactical publications and developing culture changing training systems, and tactics. For his combat actions, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous Air Medals. Brurud holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Oklahoma State University.

“Brian Brurud will do an outstanding job as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military. He is a patriot and he understands the needs and issues of our veterans in Oklahoma. He will go above and beyond to ensure our veteran's needs are addressed and taken care of and he will be a champion for Oklahoma's military and the men and women who serve our state and country.” – Earl Sears, Bartlesville City Council member and former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives