OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Ben Lepak, who was instrumental in helping The State Chamber champion the interests of Oklahoma businesses at the State Capitol, has joined Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration, accepting the position of general counsel.
Stitt announced the appointment on Monday.
“Ben has worked tirelessly in the public and private sectors to advance free market principles,” Stitt said. “I’m excited to add his legal and policy expertise to my team as we continue to make Oklahoma a top 10 state for business.”
Lepak said he’s honored to serve Oklahoma as the governor’s general counsel.
“I’ve long admired the governor’s business acumen and commitment to free market principles. I look forward to helping him advance his top 10 agenda,” Lepak said.
Lepak spoke with Oklahoma Business Voice about his new position, saying as general counsel he will be the lead attorney for all legal issues that come to the governor’s office. He will also act as a policy advisor as Stitt moves his initiatives for Oklahoma forward.
“I’m excited to start the new role,” Lepak said. “I think it’s a great way to serve and make an impact in the state and continue many of the things that I’ve been working on over the last several years in the public policy realm.”
Lepak began working for The State Chamber in late 2020, serving as executive director of the State Chamber Research Foundation.
Much of Lepak’s work as the head of SCRF was devoted to developing public policies that would maximize Oklahoma’s economic and business development efforts.
Lepak became SCRF executive director shortly after Chad Warmington became president and CEO of The State Chamber.
“We really had a different vision for what the Chamber could and should be in Oklahoma, that it should be very aspirational and work on the public policy issues that really move the needle for the state and for the business community,” Lepak said. “I’ve been proud of that paradigm shift, that we’ve been able to work on forward-looking, aspirational projects for the state, whether it’s the Workforce Commission that we championed and have helped get established to address Oklahoma’s biggest challenge, as well as the other legislation that we’ve worked on, from taxes to education issues. We’ve really taken on some heavy lifts, and I think we’ve had a lot of success.”
Lepak oversaw the publication of two annual reports that were central to The State Chamber’s mission to help state legislators improve Oklahoma’s economy and business climate: the Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll and the RIED Report.
The Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll is an annual poll that gathers business leaders’ thoughts and concerns on business-related issues in Oklahoma. Lepak described BLP as the only scientific, statewide survey that annually measures business community perspectives.
The RIED Report rates the Oklahoma Legislature as a whole and each legislator individually on their votes on bills that impact business, industry, job creation and the economic growth issues that matter most to the private sector. Each legislator is graded on his or her vote on each bill.
Lepak made lasting contributions to The State Chamber and its efforts to help Oklahoma’s business community, Warmington said.
“While we are thrilled for Ben as he embarks on this new opportunity, we are also saddened to see him leave the Chamber and the remarkable work we’ve accomplished together,” Warmington said.
Lepak said he looks forward to working with The State Chamber in steering Oklahoma toward greater success.
“I really believe in the mission of The State Chamber,” Lepak said. “Obviously, the Chamber is very active at the State Capitol; it interacts with the governor’s office, all the time. And so, I anticipate that will be an easy transition in terms of maintaining a good working relationship with all my colleagues here at the Chamber.”
Lepak has practiced law in both the public and private sectors. He has a finance degree from the University of Oklahoma and earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he served as articles editor for the Notre Dame Law Review.
He is succeeding outgoing general counsel, Trevor Pemberton.
“Trevor has been an incredible asset to the state, my administration, and Oklahomans over the last three years,” Stitt said. “I’m appreciative of his commitment and service and wish him the best in his next chapter.”
Pemberton said he was honored to have worked in such an important role.
“Three years ago, I accepted this incredible opportunity out of obedience to the Lord’s call on my life, and I am laying it down all the same,” Pemberton said. “We are called to be strong and courageous, to not be frightened or dismayed; the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. Indeed, He has been. May the Lord continue to bless this great state and Governor Kevin Stitt.”
Pemberton handled numerous major legal challenges, including navigating the landmark McGirt decision, while serving as general counsel. Before joining the Stitt administration in 2021, Pemberton served as a judge on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, chief district judge of the Oklahoma County Juvenile Division and district judge for Oklahoma County.
