Steven Bratcher is the new Regional Development Specialist (RDS) for South Central Oklahoma. Bratcher joined the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) in May and serves the 10-county region which includes Grady, McClain, Stephens, Garvin, Murray, Cotton, Jefferson, Carter, Love and Marshall counties. He offices in the area as well.
As an RDS, Bratcher works to assist regional businesses, connecting them to appropriate state and federal programs, providing retention and expansion assistance, and interfacing with workforce development entities. Additionally, he provides development assistance for counties and municipalities in his service region and on-going support for existing regional partnerships such as local economic development organizations and CareerTech campuses.
“Steven is a welcomed new member to the Commerce team and will play a valuable role in his region,” said Charles Kimbrough, Director of the Business Group. “He has the very important job of connecting communities, businesses and people with the resources and opportunities they need to grow.”
His region includes the cities of Ardmore, Chickasha, Duncan and Pauls Valley, and a very diverse group of industries — oil and gas companies; manufacturers of vehicle tires, paper and plastic products, metal grating and manhole covers, and machinery for the food and baking industries — as well as multiple distribution and warehousing facilities.
Before coming to Commerce, Bratcher worked in county government as the 911 Coordinator for Garvin County. Prior to that, Bratcher worked at Pre-Paid Legal Services, where he became the youngest Vice President of Marketing in the company and led a sales team of more than 5,000. He lives in Paul’s Valley with his wife, Sharon, and four children.
“I am so excited to be working for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as the South Central Regional Development Specialist,” Bratcher said. “I believe that the I-35 corridor can and will play a major part in the future economic growth in Oklahoma, and every town in South Central Oklahoma could be the beneficiary of that growth.”
Steven Bratcher, Regional Development Specialist, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Phone: 405-401-4235; Email: steven.bratcher@okcommerce.gov
