J.D. Strong
Encyclopedia
J.D. Strong is a civil servant from the US state of Oklahoma
and the current Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
.
from Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Oklahoma
. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in Wildlife Ecology with a minor in Agronomy
in 1993. While finishing his degree at OSU, Strong began working at the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
, where he worked as an environmental scientist for several years. In 1996, Strong was appointed a special assistant to the Secretary of the Environment.
In his twelve years at the Office of the Secretary of the Environment, Strong served as the lead advisor to three different Environmental Secretaries for two Governors. In this capacity, he coordinated both the Governor’s Tar Creek Superfund Task Force and the Governor’s Animal Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force under then Governor Frank Keating
. Strong was also actively involved in efforts to address interstate water pollution concerns, particularly regarding excess phosphorus pollution in watersheds shared with the state of Arkansas
. Strong has worked with northern Ottawa County
officials on a massive buyout assistance program to relocate families and businesses from the nation’s most hazardous Superfund Site—the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Picher, Oklahoma
.
Prior to his serving as Environmental Secretary, Strong served as the Office of the Secretary of the Environment's chief liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature
before becoming the chief of staff
to former Secretary of the Environment Miles Tolbert
in 2003.
Brad Henry
as his second Secretary of the Environment
. Strong succeed Miles Tolbert
, who resigned to take a position in the private sector. In addition to serving as Governor Henry’s lead advisor on environmental matters, Strong coordinated the activities of the Environmental Subcabinet, as well as oversaw the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
.
as its executive director in October 2010 while serving as Secretary of the Environment
.
where they are active in the Mustang, Oklahoma
Public School system, their neighborhood association, their daughter’s competitive dance, and their local church.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and the current Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is an agency in the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. OWRB is responsible for managing and protection the water resources of Oklahoma as well as for planning for the state's long-range water needs. The Board is composed of nine members...
.
Education and early career
A fifth generation Oklahoman, Strong graduated as valedictorianValedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
from Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Oklahoma
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Weatherford is a city in Custer County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 10,833 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Weatherford is located at , elevation 1,647 feet ....
. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in Wildlife Ecology with a minor in Agronomy
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
in 1993. While finishing his degree at OSU, Strong began working at the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is an agency in the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. OWRB is responsible for managing and protection the water resources of Oklahoma as well as for planning for the state's long-range water needs. The Board is composed of nine members...
, where he worked as an environmental scientist for several years. In 1996, Strong was appointed a special assistant to the Secretary of the Environment.
In his twelve years at the Office of the Secretary of the Environment, Strong served as the lead advisor to three different Environmental Secretaries for two Governors. In this capacity, he coordinated both the Governor’s Tar Creek Superfund Task Force and the Governor’s Animal Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force under then Governor Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
. Strong was also actively involved in efforts to address interstate water pollution concerns, particularly regarding excess phosphorus pollution in watersheds shared with the state of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. Strong has worked with northern Ottawa County
Ottawa County, Oklahoma
Ottawa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 33,194. Its county seat is Miami. It was named for the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma.Ottawa County was established in 1907.-Geography:...
officials on a massive buyout assistance program to relocate families and businesses from the nation’s most hazardous Superfund Site—the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Picher, Oklahoma
Picher, Oklahoma
Picher is a ghost town and former city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. Formerly a major national center of lead and zinc mining at the heart of the Tri-State Mining District, over a century of unrestricted subsurface excavation dangerously undermined most of Picher's town buildings and...
.
Prior to his serving as Environmental Secretary, Strong served as the Office of the Secretary of the Environment's chief liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
before becoming the chief of staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
to former Secretary of the Environment Miles Tolbert
Miles Tolbert
Miles Tolbert is an American lawyer from the state of Oklahoma who served as the Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry. Tolbert was appointed by Henry in 2003 and served until his resignation in 2008. Tolbert was succeeded by J.D...
in 2003.
Secretary of the Environment
Strong was appointed by Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
as his second Secretary of the Environment
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
. Strong succeed Miles Tolbert
Miles Tolbert
Miles Tolbert is an American lawyer from the state of Oklahoma who served as the Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry. Tolbert was appointed by Henry in 2003 and served until his resignation in 2008. Tolbert was succeeded by J.D...
, who resigned to take a position in the private sector. In addition to serving as Governor Henry’s lead advisor on environmental matters, Strong coordinated the activities of the Environmental Subcabinet, as well as oversaw the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. It is responsible for protecting human health and for safeguarding the natural environment: air, water, and land. DEQ is chiefly responsible for the environmental policy...
, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is an agency in the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. OWRB is responsible for managing and protection the water resources of Oklahoma as well as for planning for the state's long-range water needs. The Board is composed of nine members...
, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is an agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for managing and protecting Oklahoma's wildlife population and their habitats. The Department is under the control of the Wildlife Conservation Commission, an 8-member board appointed by the Governor...
.
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Strong was appointed by the Oklahoma Water Resources BoardOklahoma Water Resources Board
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is an agency in the government of Oklahoma under the Governor of Oklahoma. OWRB is responsible for managing and protection the water resources of Oklahoma as well as for planning for the state's long-range water needs. The Board is composed of nine members...
as its executive director in October 2010 while serving as Secretary of the Environment
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
.
Personal life
Strong, his wife, Kalli, and their daughter, Edyn, live in southwest Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
where they are active in the Mustang, Oklahoma
Mustang, Oklahoma
Mustang is a growing suburban city in Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,395 at the 2010 census....
Public School system, their neighborhood association, their daughter’s competitive dance, and their local church.