Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Fallin Names Dave Lopez Secretary Of Commerce

Secretary of Commerce
Dave Lopez
Governor Mary Fallin today announced she has selected Dave Lopez to serve as secretary of commerce.

Lopez is a longtime civic and community leader and currently serves as president of Oklahoma City-based American Fidelity Foundation, a charitable foundation that gives grants for economic development, education, human services and the arts.

“I’ve said from day one, my main focus as governor will be to improve our economy and work to create more jobs and opportunities for Oklahomans. The secretary of commerce will play an important role in that process,” Fallin said.

“Dave Lopez has been a successful businessman and tremendous civic leader with connections all around the nation. He brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to the job and I’m happy to have him serve in my cabinet. Dave is going to join an experienced and diverse cabinet dedicated to moving the state of Oklahoma forward.”

Lopez previously served as president of SBC Communications (now AT&T) in Oklahoma and Texas. Prior to serving as president, he held a variety of executive positions that took him across the region including stops in Houston, Dallas, St. Louis, San Antonio and Austin.

Before joining American Fidelity Foundation, Lopez served as president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

“Governor Fallin has told me she is ready to take an active role in helping the Commerce Department and state and local business leaders attract new jobs to Oklahoma,” Lopez said. “I’m honored to serve in the governor’s administration and look forward to working with her to grow our economy and bring more jobs and opportunities to our state.”

Lopez serves on numerous boards including the American Fidelity Corporation, Oklahoma City National Memorial, the City of Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and the board of BancFirst Corporation. He also previously served as president of the Oklahoma Business Roundtable and was a co-chairman on the steering committee of Oklahoma’s EDGE Fund.

He has received many honors and awards including induction into the Oklahoma City University Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor, the Corporate Advocate Award from the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Humanitarian of the Year award from Oklahoma City chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Lopez received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education from New Mexico State University. He and his wife Lana live in Oklahoma City and have five children and seven grandchildren.

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