OCPA Adds Small, Kleese To Staff

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) has hired Jonathan Small as Fiscal Policy Director and Jennie Kleese as Development Events Manager, the conservative think tank announced today.

Jonathan Small

Small will serve as OCPA’s policy expert on budget and economic issues. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Small has extensive experience as a budget analyst for the Office of State Finance and as a fiscal and research analyst for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He most recently served as director of government affairs for the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Small holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and has also worked as an accountant in private practice for a local accounting firm.

“OCPA has long been Oklahoma’s conservative – which is to say, mainstream – voice of reason on tax and budget issues,” said Brandon Dutcher, OCPA’s vice president for policy. “With the ongoing budget challenges and a new center-right majority at 23rd and Lincoln, now is the perfect time for OCPA to add an experienced, credible voice like Jonathan to develop ideas that shrink government spending, reduce taxes on hardworking Oklahomans, and grow our state’s economy.”

OCPA’s previous budget expert, accountant Steve Anderson, was recently hired by Kansas Governor-elect Sam Brownback as budget director.

Jennie Kleese

Kleese will assist OCPA Vice-President for Development Margaret Ann Morris in fundraising efforts and will coordinate all organizational events. Kleese, who holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Oklahoma, recently served as a communications specialist for the Oklahoma Insurance Department, coordinating dozens of annual department events and assisting with media relations.

“OCPA just experienced its biggest year ever in fundraising, and we expect 2011 to be even bigger,” said Morris. “Jennie Kleese brings a wealth of experience in event coordination and development that will strengthen OCPA’s position as the only public policy think tank in Oklahoma promoting ideas that expand free enterprise and individual liberty.”

Small lives in Edmond with his wife, Kristina, and their two daughters, Jasmine and Savanna. The Smalls are members of Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City.

Kleese lives in northwest Oklahoma City with her husband, Ed, and daughter, Abbie. The Kleeses are members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.

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