Kathryn L. Taylor

Kathryn L. Taylor was appointed by Governor Brad Henry in February 2003 to serve as Secretary of Commerce & Tourism. She oversees state economic development and tourism agencies, in addition to serving as the Executive Director of the Department of Commerce. Taylor was the first Commerce Secretary to be tasked with the oversight of three state agencies – Commerce, Tourism and Workforce Development/Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, representing more than 2,000 employees. She also serves as Governor Henry’s Small Business Advocate.

Taylor comes to the office with a diverse and extensive business background, ranging from more than a decade in the travel industry as a senior officer in a “Fortune 100” company, as an owner and a member of the board for an international business, and in the franchise industry as an attorney and business advisor representing franchisors expanding in the United States, Europe and Asia. She also served as counsel to numerous small franchisees.