The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that is responsible for technology-based economic development. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation, OCAST is responsible for fostering innovation in existing and developing business by supporting basic and applied research. The Center is led by 21-member Board of Directors, each either appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, or ex officio members.
The current Cabinet Secretary is Dr. Kayse Shrum, who was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt in March 2019. Under the Secretary's supervision, the Center's Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Center's programs.
The Center was created in 1987 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon.
Leadership
The Center is overseen by the Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation.
Board of directors
OCAST is governed by the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development (OSTRaD) Board of Directors (Title 74, Section 5060.6). This 9-member board of directors consists of the State Secretary of Science and Innovation as the OSTRaD board chair with four members appointed by the governor and two each by the state senate and house.
As of May 2022, the following are the current members of the Board: Elizabeth Pollard - Chair, Secretary of Science and Innovation Blayne Arthur - Secretary of Agriculture Sean Bauman - President and CEO of IMMY David Ingram - Director Phillips 66 Thomas Kupiec - ARL / DNA Solutions / Kupiec Group Dan Marticello - CymSTAR, Broken Arrow Zacharay Miles - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Jeff McCormack - Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City Brenda Rolls - Frontier Electronic Systems, Stillwater
Organization
Cabinet Secretary
Board of Directors
Executive Director
Director
Programs Division
Administration and Finance Division
Technology Information Services Division
Programs
The center offers numerous programs to assist the development of the state's economy: Research Funding Programs Oklahoma Health Research program Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship program Oklahoma Applied Research Support program Faculty and Student Intern Partnerships program Oklahoma Plant Science (Basic) Program Business Assistance Programs Inventors Assistance Service Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund Technology Business Finance Program innovation to Enterprise (i2E)