Oklahoma energy secretary steps down, deputy to take over

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s energy secretary will be stepping down effective Oct. 3 and replaced with the deputy secretary, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced on Thursday. 

Jeff Starling, who has served as energy secretary since 2024, told Oklahoma Voice that he will have more information next week on what’s next for him. 

Starling said in a statement that he’s glad to have had the opportunity to serve in the role and is excited to continue advocating for Oklahoma’s energy industry. He recently made an unsuccessful bid for Oklahoma Attorney General. 

Stitt said he’s tapped deputy secretary Chris Schinnerer to step into the role for the remainder of his term as governor. 

“Chris is well-known in Oklahoma’s energy circles,” Stitt said in a statement. “He has long championed our oil and gas industry, and has helped lead the charge to explore new areas of energy development, including the state’s effort to secure a U.S. Department of Energy grant for one of three Nuclear Energy Lifecycle Campuses.”

Schinnerer previously worked in the private sector for Devon Energy and Lagoon Midstream as well as in the public sector at the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush. 

He lives in Edmond and has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University as well as a master’s degree in energy and finance policy from Columbia University, according to his bio. 

“It is an honor to continue to serve my state in this capacity,” Schinnerer said in a statement. “Oklahoma has led the world in energy development for over a century, and we are on the cusp of the next generation of energy innovation. I’m proud to continue to support Gov. Stitt and his administration through these opportunities and set Oklahoma up to continue to lead.”