Gov. Mary Fallin today announced she is appointing Jane McDermott to the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma.
McDermott, of Alva, will replace Michael Mitchel, whose term expires in June. Her appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate.
McDermott will fill Position 6 on the RUSO board, which requires residency in one of the following counties: Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Woods, Major, Alfalfa, Grant, Garfield, Kay or Noble. Terms are for nine years.
"Jane McDermott as a businesswoman and one who has worked in higher education understands how essential it is for Oklahoma to have an educated workforce," said Fallin. "Our universities must meet the challenge of producing graduates who can fill openings in our state in critical occupations, such as engineers, teachers, nurses, chemists and accountants."
Since 2005, McDermott has owned an insurance agency in Alva. She previously worked for nearly 20 years as executive director of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation and Alumni Association, where she was in charge of operations and institutional development.
"I appreciate the governor's confidence in me," McDermott said. "My years of service in higher education fundraising and institutional development have helped prepare me to lead and serve on the Regional University System of Oklahoma board."
McDermott is active in her community, serving as vice president of the Alva Public Schools Board and president of the Wheatland Republican Women. She also served on the Bill Johnson Correctional Center's citizen advisory board and is past president and a board member of both the Alva Youth Council and Northwest Family Services.
McDermott earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
She and her husband, Max, have two children, Dr. Dustin McDermott and Alyson Penco, and six grandchildren.