Thursday, July 10, 2008; Posted: 4:14 p.m. (CDT)
Governor Brad Henry announced the new state auditor and inspector at a news conference Thursday morning. He says the new auditor may be the most qualified in Oklahoma's history.
Governor Henry says, "I'm honored to introduce Steve Burrage."
Steve Burrage, 56, of Antlers is the new state auditor.
"He has impeccable credentials," says the governor.
His credentials include an accounting degree from the University of Oklahoma. He has led FirstBank of Antlers since 1982, serving as its president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. Burrage also is the past chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association.
Burrage says, "I'm a certified public account and when I was practicing public accounting I had an extensive practice in the audit of public funds, primarily school districts."
Controversy has surrounded the state auditor position for months. You may recall, Jeff McMahan resigned last month after being found guilty in a federal corruption trial.
"I'll tell you my objectives. First, is to restore trust and confidence and integrity to this office," says Burrage.
Governor Henry says, "There is no better person in my view to restore honor and integrity and public confidence to this important position."
Michelle Day is the Deputy State Auditor and Inspector. She says, "Absolutely, I think it's possible to restore that public trust. We've had a lot of that being built back in over the last several months. The office is far more than any one person."
Burrage took office immediately. He walked in minutes after the news conference and went to work.
Burrage says one of the first things he'll do is to take a close look at the organization chart and the budget.
