Gwartney named executive director of Freedom of Information Oklahoma

Photo by Elizabeth K Gwartney

Gwartney named executive director of Freedom of Information Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - Veteran journalist Kurt Gwartney will serve as the new executive director of Freedom of Information Oklahoma effective January 1. He will be FOI Oklahoma’s third director, succeeding Andy Moore, who has held the reins since 2018, and longtime executive director Kay Bickham.

Gwartney now serves as the communications director for Phillips Seminary in Tulsa. He worked as the communications director for the eastern Oklahoma region of the American Red Cross and served as the news director at NPR affiliate KGOU from 2008-2014 following two years as the station’s operations director. He also served as president of the Society of Professional Journalists Oklahoma chapter.

In addition to studying journalism and political science at Oklahoma State University, Gwartney has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Colorado Christian University, a master’s in divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary and a certificate in nonprofit management from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

“If we believe government is supposed to be of, for and by the people, it's important for our local, state and federal officials, elected or not, to understand they should show their work,” Gwartney said. “Government works best with an engaged and informed public and that requires openness, honesty and transparency.”

Gwartney’s duties will include day-to-day administration, fundraising and coordination of FOI Oklahoma’s education and advocacy events. The organization hosts an annual First Amendment Congress for high school students, an awards program for transparency champions, and a series of educational sessions on the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act.

“Kurt understands that a government only works when the people know what work that government is doing,” said FOI Oklahoma President Ted Streuli. “He also brings a knowledge of nonprofit administration to the role that will be very valuable.”

About Freedom of Information Oklahoma 

Freedom of Information Oklahoma promotes open and transparent government in Oklahoma. They envision a future where our government is transparent, the public is actively engaged, and public information is easily accessible. For more information, visit foioklahoma.org.

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