OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Department of Corrections Executive Director Steven Harpe announced Wednesday that he was resigning effective Sept. 30 to take a job in the private sector.

Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed him to the post Oct. 13, 2022.

“Director Harpe’s leadership transformed the culture at ODOC, making the agency stronger and better prepared to fulfill its mission of protecting Oklahomans and supporting rehabilitation,” Stitt said.

Harpe began his service with the state in 2019. He previously worked for Stitt’s company Gateway Mortgage Group .

Prior to his appointment as DOC chief, he served as the state’s chief operating officer and executive director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

“Working with the dedicated employees at the agency and interacting

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