The secretary serves as the chief advisor to the governor on land, water, air and space traffic transportation needs and infrastructure.

The position of Secretary of Transportation was established in 1986 to provide greater oversight and coordination to the agricultural activities of the state government.

[2] In response to this directive, Secretary Gatz resigned his position, and was reappointed by Governor Kevin Stitt as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

As of fiscal year 2011, the secretary of transportation oversees 3478 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $1.9 billion.

What makes incumbent Secretary Gary Ridley's example unique is that he serves as both the head of the Transportation Department (ODOT) and the director of the Turnpike Authority (OTA).