Stitt appoints interim commissioner of mental health agency after previous leader's firing
A familiar face to embattled state agencies is taking on his latest assignment as interim commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, days after lawmakers ousted the agency's previous leader.
Greg Slavonic was placed in temporary charge of the financially troubled mental health agency by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday, June 3.
Slavonic will be tasked with turning around a state agency riddled with drama after an audit report on the mental health department released in May revealed that its staff was made to sign nondisclosure agreements and were discouraged from cooperating with investigators from the state auditor's office, which was trying to understand why the agency faced a $30 million budget hole.
Allie Friesen, the agency's former commissioner, was removed from her position after lawmakers voted to oust her on May 29. It was the culmination of a monthlong legislative investigation into the agency's money troubles.
Legislators were forced to make a special appropriation for the agency to complete the current fiscal year. Still, another appropriation to the agency might be needed at the beginning of the next legislative session.
It will be the second time in as many years that Slavonic takes over an agency under similar circumstances. Stitt appointed Slavonic as interim executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs in March 2023 after the agency's former director, Joel Kinstel, was removed for revolting against the agency's commission. Slavonic was elevated to permanent leadership in the agency five months later, before he left in July 2024.
Stitt, who called Friesen's removal "a politically motivated witch hunt," said he was grateful Slavonic was willing "to set another Oklahoma agency on the right course." In an apparent reference to lawmakers' oversight of the mental health agency, Stitt said it would be imperative that Slavonic be allowed to work "without political interference."
"There are brighter days ahead for this department and those that rely on its services," the governor said in a statement.
More: Legislature passes resolution seeking to oust Oklahoma mental health commissioner
In a statement, Slavonic thanked Stitt for his focus on rooting out corruption and ensuring the government is working for its citizens.
"The Department of Mental Health brings much needed services to many Oklahomans, and I look forward to ensuring that they have the tools needed to provide those services," he said.
House Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, who served as the chair of the select committee tasked with examining the agency's operations and budget, responded to Slavonic's appointment and said it's important that the mental health agency's next director works to restore the department's stability and trust to provide critical services.
Lawson said he looked forward to working with Slavonic "as he endeavors to right the ship with this agency."
The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of appointing a permanent commissioner to the agency, who would need to be confirmed by the Senate.
Slavonic held several roles in Washington, D.C., before working under Stitt. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a rear admiral, Slavonic had a brief stint in the private sector before he served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. James Lankford. He then went on to high-level civilian roles in the Department of the Navy, eventually being appointed acting undersecretary of the Navy during President Donald Trump's first term.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Stitt appoints Greg Slavonic to lead Oklahoma mental health agency
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