Turnpike Authority names Tim Stewart as new director
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Saturday, February 23, 2013
2/23/13 at 6:22 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority voted unanimously Friday to name Tim Stewart as the agency's new director.
Stewart, who had been the deputy director, will succeed Gary Ridley, who will retire at the end of March.
Stewart, 49, has spent the past 32 years in construction, engineering and maintenance. He will be paid $133,000 a year and start his new job April 1.
Stewart has been at the Turnpike Authority for 28 years, rising from working in maintenance on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike to deputy director and chief operating officer. He has been director of patron services, director of maintenance and director of planning and operations.
Stewart thanked the Turnpike Authority for its confidence in his abilities.
"We are a good organization because of the people that work here," he said.
Turnpike Authority member Gene Love said the organization is confident about Stewart because he advanced through its ranks and has held several responsible positions.
Ridley said, "I know Tim will serve you well and the people of Oklahoma."
Stewart has an associate's degree in civil engineering technology from Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City. He lives in Edmond.
"The challenges will continue to be aging infrastructure and growing traffic and being able to accommodate those growing traffic demands," Stewart said. "We are addressing some of those now with widening of the Creek and Kilpatrick turnpikes."
But as traffic increases, the agency might eventually have to widen the Turner Turnpike, he said.
Stewart said he does not anticipate a toll increase anytime soon.
Stewart will oversee 550 employees, an operating budget of $73 million and a capital budget of $89 million.
Original Print Headline: Turnpike Authority names longtime employee director
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
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Tim Stewart: "The challenges will continue to be aging infrastructure and growing traffic and being able to accommodate those growing traffic demands," he said. "We are addressing some of those now with widening of the Creek and Kilpatrick turnpikes."
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