Robert Impson named director of BIA eastern Oklahoma office
BY LENZY KREHBIEL-BURTON World Correspondent
Friday, November 30, 2012
11/30/12 at 5:09 AM
MUSKOGEE - After three years of interim leaders, the Bureau of Indian Affairs now has a director for its Eastern Oklahoma regional office.
Robert Impson, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, took office as director of the Eastern Oklahoma regional office in Muskogee this month.
The office has been filled by a series of interim leaders since November 2009, when Jeanette Hanna, the director since 2002, was reassigned to Washington, D.C.
The post wasn't advertised as vacant until April, after then-Assistant Secretary of the Interior Larry Echo Hawk resigned.
Hanna's immediate successor as interim director, Impson, was the deputy regional director at the BIA's office in Nashville, Tenn. During his more than 30 years with the BIA, he also has been an acting regional director for the eastern region and superintendent of the Ada agency office.
"We are very pleased that Mr. Impson has been named regional director," Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said.
"He has worked closely with the Chickasaw Nation and other tribes in this region for many years.
"We believe he has the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure the BIA continues to work alongside tribes to help enhance the quality of life of Indian people in this region," Anoatubby said.
BIA spokeswoman Nedra Darling did not return telephone calls seeking comment.
The Eastern Oklahoma regional office has six agency offices and works with 19 tribes, including four of the state's largest.
A regional office in Anadarko serves the remaining tribes active in the state.
Original Print Headline: BIA Eastern Oklahoma office director chosen
