OAEC’s Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs Jim Reese awarded 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans honor

Recently, OAEC’s Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, Jim Reese, was awarded the 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans honor at the State Capitol.

The 2024 honorees were recognized at the Oklahoma State Capitol on October 17. They represent professionals and community leaders making a difference and impacting quality of life for Oklahomans in the areas of agriculture, aviation, education, engineering, finance, foundations, government, healthcare, law, manufacturing, non-profit organizations, public service, sports, technology, the arts and much more.

“We are proud of Jim Reese for being a difference maker and working to improve quality of life in rural areas as he advocates on behalf of electric cooperatives and the 1.1 million Oklahomans we serve,” Chris Meyers, general manager for the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, said. “We are grateful for Jim’s hard work and dedication. He’s deserving of this honor.”

Reese joined OAEC in January 2019. He is the former State of Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture serving under Governor Mary Fallin’s administration. Throughout his career, Reese served in various capacities in state government and ag leadership. In 2001, he was selected as Oklahoma State Executive Director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency, under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. In 2008, Reese served as Policy Advisor for Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge. Additionally, Reese served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 15 years from 1987 to 2001.

Reese has a farming operation near Nardin, Oklahoma where he lives with his wife, Margaret.

Contact:

Anna Politano, Director of Public Relations & Communications

Phone: 405-761-0289

E-mail: apolitano@oaec.coop