President appoints university’s first chief of staff

Craig Knutson Photo: Potts Family Foundation

OKLAHOMA CITY –  President Robert Henry has selected Craig Knutson to serve as OCU’s first chief of staff.

“Craig’s sterling blend of experience and management skills are exactly what I was hopeful to find for the position of chief of staff,” Henry said. “He brings to the table 35 years of experience, a tremendous work ethic and a down to earth, human approach, all of which will serve this administration, and ultimately the students of Oklahoma City University very well.”

Knutson’s primary role is to serve as a strategic adviser to the president, provost and members of the cabinet and directly oversee the office of the president and non-academic divisions. He is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the area of community and external relations.

“I am pleased to join the Oklahoma City University family,” Knutson said. “One of the hallmarks of a great city is a great university.

“OCU has been that for Oklahoma City for more than a century. My role within the university is very much operational: to see to it that President Henry is able to work at the top of his license; to optimize our operational efficiency; and to serve as a conduit between the president and our constituencies.”

Since 2005, Knutson served as the chief of staff for the Oklahoma Insurance Department.  During his tenure he was responsible for the $11 million agency budget, development and implementation of internal operational programs and processes, and agency-wide strategic planning.  He was also responsible for the development, implementation and execution of several external, statewide public policy initiatives involving health insurance.

Prior to his position with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, Mr. Knutson served as vice president of research and convening for the United Way of Central Oklahoma, chief executive of the Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board, chief economist for Southwestern Bell in Oklahoma City, and senior economicplanner for the City of Oklahoma City.

Knutson holds a master’s degree in regional and city planning and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma.  He and his wife, Julie, reside in Norman.