Kintsel remains Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs director

The nine-member board, all Stitt-appointees, met for greater than an hour behind closed doorways to debate “the worker efficiency for Joel Kintsel associated to the present office atmosphere.”

Stitt has been changing members of the panel who voted to present Kintsel a go away of absence from the company to run in opposition to him within the Republican gubernatorial main. Stitt gained the first.

Kintsel mentioned earlier this week that he thought the board would hearth him due his resolution to run and primarily based on Stitt’s current adjustments to the board’s membership.

“I’m optimistic about how all people is coming collectively,” Kintsel mentioned after the assembly. “As veterans, we glance out for one another.”

Carly Atchison, Stitt’s communications director, attended the assembly and had no remark afterward when requested about Kintsel’s continued employment.

John Nash, Stitt’s Cupboard secretary of army and veterans affairs, additionally attended a lot of the assembly.

Kintsel not too long ago clashed with Nash and with Stitt’s workplace over an govt order the governor issued regarding purchases.

The order required that state company nonemergency purchases of $25,000 or extra be accredited by the related Cupboard secretary.

Kintsel mentioned Nash had not signed off on some obligatory purchases. Kintsel finally mentioned he decided that the manager order was unlawful and processed the funds with out Nash’s signature.

Atchison has mentioned beforehand that the purchases would qualify as emergency purchases that didn’t require the secretary’s approval.

New Commissioner Scott Sweeney questioned Kintsel in regards to the purchases, asking him why he didn’t strive more durable to fulfill with Nash to get his signature if the purchases have been so essential.

“I’m not going to chase the secretary throughout city attempting to get his signature,” Kintsel mentioned, including that Nash’s resolution to not log off on the purchases was primarily based on politics. Nash was despatched by Stitt to create a “firestorm,” Kintsel mentioned.

The company had been working like a Swiss watch till Nash confirmed up, Kintsel mentioned.

Three lawmakers concerned in veterans affairs attended the board’s closed-door govt session.

“I believe it was resolution,” mentioned Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, a veteran. “I believe Joel has accomplished an amazing job.”

West mentioned he was listening to the rumors that Kintsel is likely to be fired. He wakened at 3 a.m., drove to Oklahoma Metropolis and attended the assembly, he mentioned.

West mentioned he has seen the work Kintsel has accomplished.

“I’ll go to bat for what Joel has accomplished,” he mentioned. “I believe the commissioners have been in a position to make use of these of us that confirmed up not as a personality witness, however simply ask us questions. I believe it will be important for legislators to point out up at some of these conferences.”

Kintsel has led the company for about three years.