Stitt taps former State Rep. Lisa Billy for Sec'y of Native American Affairs

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES SECRETARY OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS

Oklahoma City, Okla. (January 30, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Lisa J. Billy as Secretary of Native American Affairs, a cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation.

“Lisa has been a consistent and faithful representative for the people of Oklahoma, from her time serving in the Oklahoma Legislature to her role today in the Chickasaw Nation Legislature,” said Gov. Stitt. “She will bring her hard-work ethic and wealth of experience to the table in order to serve as an advisor to my administration and help foster strong partnerships between our tribal governments and the State of Oklahoma.”

Lisa J. Billy currently serves in the Chickasaw Nation Legislature, a seat she has held since 2016. She previously served in the Chickasaw Nation Legislature from 1996 to 2002. Billy also served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2004 to 2016 representing District 42. During her time in the Legislature, Billy held various leadership roles including Floor Leader from 2014 to 2016, Deputy Whip from 2004 to 2008, and Vice Chair of the Republican Caucus from 2006 to 2008. She formed the Native America Caucus in the Oklahoma Legislature in 2006 and has been recognized for her work on prison reformation policies. Billy holds a B.A. from Northeastern State University and an M.Ed from the University of Oklahoma.

“I have known Lisa for over 30 years. She is an articulate, bright, visionary, young woman who has served the state well in the legislature and her tribe well in its legislature. I think she will make an excellent representative of the governor with the tribes and will represent the tribes well to the governor.” – Neal McCaleb, Ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation and former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs under President George W. Bush

“Lisa Billy is absolutely the best possible choice for an Oklahoman to represent all of the tribes in the state. She has the right education, the right temperament, and the respect of all of the tribes. We’re delighted that the governor has chosen such a wonderful representative.” – John Berrey, Chairman of the Quapaw Tribe

“Lisa is an amazing representative of our native people here in Oklahoma. She is very open to working with native people and non-native people to move the state forward, as seen during her time in the Oklahoma legislature. She began the Native American Caucus when we were elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, and she welcomed not only members of the tribes, but all Oklahomans to participate in the meetings, fostering collaboration between the tribes and the state of Oklahoma. She will serve our state well as the Secretary of Native American Affairs.” – Dr. Lee Denney, USDA Oklahoma State Director of Rural Development and Former Speaker Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives