Gov. Stitt appoint Pierson to OU Board of Regents

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF GARY PIERSON TO OU BOARD OF REGENTS

Oklahoma City, Okla. (April 16, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Gary Pierson to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, a position that requires Senate confirmation.

“I am pleased to appoint Gary Pierson to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents,” said Gov. Stitt. “Gary is an accomplished Oklahoma attorney and businessman and a proud OU alum who will bring his professional expertise to the table to support the university’s goals of academic excellence and student success.”

“I’m grateful and humbled by the confidence Governor Stitt has shown in me by this appointment,” said Pierson. “While there are some near term issues that need to be resolved at OU, the future remains quite bright and I look forward to working with the other Regents and President Gallogly in making sure that those opportunities are seized.”

Gary Pierson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Oklahoma Publishing Company ("OPUBCO"), a holding company with business interests in multiple industries. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Broadmoor-Sea Island Company. Pierson served as OPUBCO's General Counsel from February 2002 until December 2003 and its Chief Operating Officer from 2003 through 2011.

Before joining OPUBCO, Pierson was a vice-president of McAfee & Taft, Oklahoma's largest law firm. He practiced in all areas of litigation, with special emphasis on labor and employment law. Pierson was admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma and also practiced before the First (Boston), Fifth (New Orleans), Sixth (Cincinnati), Ninth (San Francisco) and Tenth (Denver) Circuit Courts of Appeal, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States and litigated cases in 23 states. While in private practice, Pierson was listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Who's Who in American Law.

Pierson received Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Oklahoma. While in law school, he served as Editor and Research Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review and President of Phi Delta Phi scholastic honorary society.

Pierson serves on the Board of Directors of The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and is past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation. He also is the Chairman of the University of Oklahoma College of Law Board of Visitors and a member of the Price College of Business Board of Advisors. Mr. Pierson received the University of Oklahoma Regents' Award in 2016.

The Oklahoma University Board of Regents is the official governing body of The University of Oklahoma, Cameron University, and Rogers State University. The board is composed of seven citizens appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. Each Regent serves a seven-year term.