Governor defends choice of former Navy official as interim mental‑health leader, says he is not a clinical expert

The governor defended his selection of an admiral to serve as interim mental‑health commissioner, saying the appointee brings management experience and a willingness to hold vendors accountable rather than clinical expertise.

"He's not a mental health expert, and, he's more of a business person," the governor said, referring to the admiral and noting the appointee had served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and as an assistant secretary of the Navy in the Trump administration. The governor added that the admiral also served within state veterans’ services.

The governor described the position as a chief‑executive‑type role overseeing about 2,000 employees and an approximately "$800,000,000 budget," and said his direction to the interim leader is to ensure vendors are held accountable and dollars are used efficiently.

Why it matters: the governor said turnover in leadership roles across state agencies makes recruitment harder and that he sought a proven manager for a large agency. He acknowledged the admiral’s lack of clinical credentials but said there has been positive legislative feedback about the appointment.

Details reporters sought: a reporter asked about the interim commissioner’s qualifications; the governor said the appointee's full biography is on the website and declined to recite every credential on the record at the press conference.

What’s next: the governor said he expected to announce additional details and will continue to work with the legislature and stakeholders on the agency’s direction.