Committee approves Keith Ventress for two state finance authorities

A legislative committee voted to approve the nomination of Keith Ventress to serve on two state finance authorities after brief introductions and roll calls.

Senator Yek introduced Ventress’s background, saying he currently serves as president, CEO and director of the Oklahoma Bank and Trust Company in Clinton and noting Ventress’s prior service on the authority. The chair then gave Ventress an opportunity to answer questions; Ventress said he was "happy to entertain any questions." (Speaker identifications per committee record.)

The committee first voted on Ventress’s nomination to the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority; the clerk recorded 10 ayes and 0 nays and the chair declared the nomination passed and to proceed to the senate. The committee later voted on his nomination to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority; the clerk again recorded 10 ayes and 0 nays and the chair declared that nomination passed as well.

The chair thanked Ventress for his willingness to serve. No substantive objections or substantive questioning were recorded on either nomination during committee consideration; one committee member asked staff to follow up on whether banking districts remain configured according to older congressional-district maps, and the committee asked for a brief report back.