There’s been a leadership shake-up in one of Oklahoma’s biggest state agencies.
Thanks to a tip via The Ogle Mole Network, we’ve learned that OMES Executive Director Rick Rose—the head-bangin’ lead singer of the famed OKC hair metal outfit Erotic Suicide—has apparently dumped Deputy Director Jerry Moore, Chief Administrative Officer Lauren Kelliher, and a few other agency underlings in a recent leadership purge.
Moore—the state’s former CIO—will be replaced by some guy named Ryan Blair. We still don’t know who will fill Kelliher’s shoes, but I hope they like bad music!
Here’s an email about the news that an Ogle Mole sent our way:
You know, that’s actually not a bad “Hey, we fired some people, promoted a guy, and don’t want to talk about any details. Now move along...” staff email.
It was formal, polite, and way, way, way better than some of Rose’s old Erotic Suicide song lyrics:
What comes around, goes around
Some things in this world never change
You manipulate me
It's the only thing that ever stays the same
What comes around, goes around
Now you're in for a whole lot more
So please don't be offended
As I kick your ass right out of my front door.
Those timely, Bob Dylan-esque lyrics are from What Goes Around Comes Around, off the Erotic Suicide album Abusement Park—which, if I had to guess, is probably banned at DHS.
Anyway, Rose is apparently telling agency staffers that the shake-up was necessary because he didn’t like Moore and Kelliher’s aggressive management style—one that supposedly rubbed subordinates and co-workers the wrong way—and that OMES will no longer operate in a culture of fear.
If that’s true, I have some good news for Moore and Kelliher—Paycom is hiring, and something tells me they’d fit right in!
That being said, I’m not entirely sold on Rose’s excuse.
First of all, I learned long ago to never trust a guy who had long hair, wore tights, and rocked an Axl Rose bandana... in 1994.
Also, let’s not forget that the Stitt administration just launched its own Okie Doge and is always on the lookout for new ways to make state employees’ lives even more miserable. It’s hard to do that if you start getting rid of all the bosses who rule by fear.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
