Marcie Mack becomes director of CareerTech, Fallin says execution served justice
Published: January 20th, 2015
OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Board of Career and Technology Education, at meeting last week in Stillwater, selected Marcie Mack as the eighth state director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
The announcement was made January 16 by Joy Hofmeister, the newly-inaugurated State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under state law, the schools superintendent also serves as Career and Technology Education Board Chairwoman. Mack has been serving as interim state director since August 2014 and will begin official duties as state director Feb. 1, 2015.
“Marcie Mack is a visionary leader. She has brought a truly collaborative and passionate style to the Department of Career and Technology Education,” said Hofmeister. “I’m looking forward to working with her to prepare Oklahoma’s students for lifelong success both in the classroom and in the workplace.”
Mack began work at the agency in July 2013 as deputy state director/chief operations officer. She previously served as assistant superintendent at Autry Technology Center, one of the 29 technology centers within the CareerTech System.
Mack worked at Autry Technology Center for more than 19 years, serving in various capacities, including support, instructor, information systems and administration. She has been involved in various community organizations and served in various leadership roles within local and state organizations.
She earned a doctorate in educational administration and leadership from Oklahoma State University, where she also completed her master’s degree in telecommunications management and a bachelor’s degree in education. She has a true passion for high-quality education.
“It is an honor to be selected as the state director of Oklahoma’s Career and Technology Education System,” Mack said. “I am eager to build on the great foundation created before me and pledge to continue to lead the system forward in meeting the needs of all Oklahomans. The CareerTech System has the potential to assure Oklahomans have high-quality career and technology education and businesses have the workforce they need to prosper. I look forward to working with the state board and educators in our system and throughout the state.”
Speaker of the House Jeffrey W. Hickman issued a statement shortly after Mack was formally named ot the post last week. Hickman said:
“Dr. Mack has a solid background in career technology education and has shown continual dedication to ensuring Oklahomans have the opportunity to learn marketable skills and increase their earning potential. She knows what makes the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education a pacesetter for the rest of the nation but she also recognizes the reforms needed to keep us at the top.
“I have known Marcie since childhood so I can say from first-hand experience that she is a leader of great character and integrity, and I don’t know anyone who would work harder for the students served by the Oklahoma CareerTech system. I look forward to working with her in her new role as director as we help move Oklahoma forward.”
Superintendent Mack replaces Robert Sommers, former CareerTech director who also served as Gov. Mary Fallin’s Cabinet Secretary of Education.
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Governor Mary Fallin released the following statement regarding last week’s execution of Charles Warner:
“Justice was served tonight as the state executed Charles Warner for the heinous crime of raping and murdering an infant.
I appreciate the professionalism shown by Department of Corrections employees during this process.”
Before last Thursday’s execution, the Oklahoma Coalition Against the Death Penalty assailed the execution at a state Capitol press conference, describing it as a “state killing.”
The group plans to hold vigils before each in a series of upcoming executions.