Oklahoma OMES Director Rick Rose Resigns Amid Procurement Allegations

Rick Rose, the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Oklahoma's Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), announced his resignation effective September 26, 2025, marking a significant change in the state's administrative leadership. Governor Kevin Stitt expressed gratitude for Rose's efforts to modernize state government and improve efficiency, while Rose reflected positively on his tenure and the progress achieved under Stitt's leadership to reduce government size. However, Rose's departure follows allegations from Attorney General Gentner Drummond that Rose obstructed the procurement of vehicles essential for law enforcement task forces, with Drummond suggesting this interference was potentially directed by Governor Stitt's office. Drummond characterized such alleged actions as a serious misuse of authority that hindered law enforcement operations, and he believes his revelations contributed to Rose's decision to resign. The state has yet to announce an interim director for OMES, an agency critical to managing and optimizing Oklahoma's governmental resources. This leadership transition comes amid scrutiny of internal procurement processes and their impact on law enforcement capabilities.