Natalie Shirley
Encyclopedia
Natalie Shirley is an American
lawyer
and businesswomen from Oklahoma
. Shirley previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
under Governor of Oklahoma
Brad Henry
, having been in that position from 2007 to 2011. She was Governor Henry's second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, having succeeded Kathy Taylor
. Concurrent with her service as Commerce Secretary, Shirley was appointed by Governor Henry to serve as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
from 2007 to 2011.
, Shirley earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and earned a law degree
from the University of Oklahoma
in 1982. Shirley then served as an associate with a private law firm in Oklahoma City and as Deputy General Counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Securities
.
Shirley joined the Washington, D.C.
, firm ICI Mutual Insurance Group and served ICI in a variety of positions over a 16-year period, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel. She became the President and CEO of ICI in 2002.
to run for Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
, Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry appointed Shirley as his second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. As Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, Shirley is responsible for overseeing Oklahoma's economic development
agencies, including the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
, and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
.
Later in 2007, Commerce Department Director Amy Polonchek resigned to accept a position with the Meridian Technology Center for Business Development. On June 6, 2007, Governor Henry appointed Shirley as the Director of the Commerce Department, giving her direct control over the Department. She continues to serve concurrently as Secretary.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and businesswomen from Oklahoma
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...
. Shirley previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
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...
under Governor of Oklahoma
Governor 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...
, having been in that position from 2007 to 2011. She was Governor Henry's second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, having succeeded Kathy Taylor
Kathy Taylor
Kathryn L. Taylor was elected the 38th Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 4, 2006, in the city's largest voter turnout for a mayoral election. She defeated Republican incumbent Mayor Bill Lafortune to become Tulsa's second female mayor, after Susan Savage first filled the post in 1992...
. Concurrent with her service as Commerce Secretary, Shirley was appointed by Governor Henry to serve as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the...
from 2007 to 2011.
Personal life and education
Born in OklahomaOklahoma
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...
, Shirley earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and earned a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1982. Shirley then served as an associate with a private law firm in Oklahoma City and as Deputy General Counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Securities
Oklahoma Department of Securities
The Oklahoma Department of Securities is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. The Department oversees the securities business in Oklahoma. The Department regulates securities agents, broker-dealers, and investment advisers as well as the registration of stocks, bonds, and many other types of...
.
Shirley joined the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, firm ICI Mutual Insurance Group and served ICI in a variety of positions over a 16-year period, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel. She became the President and CEO of ICI in 2002.
Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
On February 14, 2007, following the resignation of Kathy TaylorKathy Taylor
Kathryn L. Taylor was elected the 38th Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 4, 2006, in the city's largest voter turnout for a mayoral election. She defeated Republican incumbent Mayor Bill Lafortune to become Tulsa's second female mayor, after Susan Savage first filled the post in 1992...
to run for Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry appointed Shirley as his second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. As Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, Shirley is responsible for overseeing Oklahoma's economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
agencies, including the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the...
, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism...
, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
Oklahoma housing finance agency
The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency is a non-profit organization which serves the people of Oklahoma by offering affordable housing resources, including loans and rent assistance. OHFA was created by an Executive Order by Governor of Oklahoma David L. Boren in 1975. OHFA is a public trust with the...
, and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is an independent agency of the state of Oklahoma responsible for providing employment services to the citizens of Oklahoma. The Commission is part of a national network of employment service agencies and is funded by money from the United States...
.
Later in 2007, Commerce Department Director Amy Polonchek resigned to accept a position with the Meridian Technology Center for Business Development. On June 6, 2007, Governor Henry appointed Shirley as the Director of the Commerce Department, giving her direct control over the Department. She continues to serve concurrently as Secretary.