Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – On Thursday, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that he will make his first appointment to State Superintendent, announcing Lindel Fields of Tulsa.
“It’s a new day for Oklahoma students,” Gov. Stitt said. “I want us to be top ten in everything we do, and we need a top ten education system to achieve that. Lindel will give the agency a fresh start and get it back to its mission of producing top tier students. I’m excited to appoint my first superintendent of public instruction, and I know great things are ahead.”
Lindel Fields is a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience in Oklahoma’s CareerTech system. He began his career in 1991 as an educator at the Dick Conner Correctional Center and was quickly promoted to Director of Instruction, overseeing correctional training programs statewide. He later served as Assistant Director at Central Tech before joining Tri County Technology Center in 1999, where he became Superintendent & CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, Tri County Tech earned national recognition for innovation, student achievement, and organizational culture. Fields retired in 2021, having impacted tens of thousands of students through career-focused education. He is also the founder of Culture Coach, a company that helps businesses and schools nationwide build strong cultures to improve retention, efficiency, and outcomes.
“I am endlessly grateful to Governor Stitt for his trust,” Fields said. “As his first appointed superintendent of public instruction, I look forward to implementing his vision for the education of Oklahoma students. We are going to turn this department around and equip our students with the skills they need to make Oklahoma the best state it can be.”
Governor Stitt has long advocated for depoliticizing the role of superintendent and giving future governors the opportunity to appoint the role to align with their education agendas. 
“In my last seven years, it has been clear that the operation of this agency and the well-being of Oklahoma’s students have taken a back seat to the political ambitions of the individual who holds this position,” Stitt said. “At best, the agenda of the Governor and the superintendent are out of alignment. At worst, the superintendent has actively campaigned to unseat the Governor. Our students are too precious of a resource to leave to the whims of politicians. Now is the perfect time to consider depoliticizing the Department of Education by allowing future governors to appoint the role of superintendent.”
Governor Stitt is also proud to announce the OKSDE Turnaround Team, a group of high caliber Oklahomans with special experience in education and organizational leadership to assist in the implementation of a new future for the Department of Education.
Dan Hamlin
Connie Reilly
Megan Oftedal
Kristin Stephens
Tom Newell
Tara Thompson
Nellie Sanders