Natalie Shirley

Natalie Shirley
Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
In office February 14, 2007 – January 10, 2011
Governor	Brad Henry
Preceded by	Kathy Taylor
Succeeded by	Dave Lopez
Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
In office June 6, 2007 – January 10, 2011
Governor	Brad Henry
Preceded by	Amy Polonchek
Succeeded by	Dave Lopez
Personal details
Born	1957
Residence	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alma mater	Oklahoma State University OU College of Law
Occupation	Lawyer, Businesswoman

Natalie Shirley (born 1957) is an American lawyer and businesswomen from Oklahoma. Shirley previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism under Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry, having been in that position from 2007 to 2011. She was Governor Henry's second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, having succeeded Kathy Taylor. Concurrent with her service as Commerce Secretary, Shirley was appointed by Governor Henry to serve as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce from 2007 to 2011.

Personal life and education

Born in Oklahoma, Shirley earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1982. Shirley then served as an associate with a private law firm in Oklahoma City and as Deputy General Counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Securities.

Shirley joined the Washington, D.C., firm ICI Mutual Insurance Group and served ICI in a variety of positions over a 16-year period, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel. She became the President and CEO of ICI in 2002.

Secretary of Commerce and Tourism

On February 14, 2007, following the resignation of Kathy Taylor to run for Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry appointed Shirley as his second Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. As Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, Shirley is responsible for overseeing Oklahoma's economic development agencies, including the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Later in 2007, Commerce Department Director Amy Polonchek resigned to accept a position with the Meridian Technology Center for Business Development. On June 6, 2007, Governor Henry appointed Shirley as the Director of the Commerce Department, giving her direct control over the Department. She continues to serve concurrently as Secretary.

See also

• Oklahoma State Cabinet

References

Political offices
Preceded by Kathy Taylor	Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Under Governor Brad Henry February 14, 2007 - January 10, 2011	Succeeded by Dave Lopez
Preceded by Amy Polonchek	Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Under Governor Brad Henry June 6, 2007 - January 10, 2011

Persondata
Name	Shirley, Natalie
Alternative names
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Date of birth	1957
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