Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Justin Brown has named Samantha Galloway Chief of Staff. Galloway most recently served as Executive Director of Oklahoma Community-based Providers (OCP), the statewide association of providers who serve Oklahomans with developmental disabilities.

“Samantha’s skill set is unrivaled, and the fact that she is driven to use these skills for the benefit of those in the most need is a testament to her high moral code and her selfless approach to service,” said Brown. “The agency is honored to have her depth of experience to serve alongside thousands of other dedicated team members, and we are all undoubtedly stronger and better positioned to help those in need because of her commitment to DHS.”

Galloway is a familiar face at DHS. She began her career in 2005 as a Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) case manager before serving as DHS legislative liaison until 2016.

“My career has been spent almost exclusively in human services,” said Galloway. “Returning to DHS is truly like coming home for a season. The work we do each and every day at DHS must be focused on the person we are serving, whether it is a person with a developmental disability trying to live and work in their community, a family in need of support towards stabilization, a child in need of protection, or a senior in need of supports to remain safe and healthy in their home. We are here for service, period.”

Galloway provides strategic counsel about agency priorities with an emphasis on transparency and customer service. She works with Director Brown to implement successful outcomes and strengthen relationships with DHS providers who help the agency serve vulnerable Oklahomans.

“I have had the pleasure of spending a considerable amount of time with Justin as he prepared to become the new DHS Director,” said Galloway. “It was through those interactions that I became fully confident that he has the competency and heart to lead DHS.”

Galloway is a past Executive Director of Washington (Parish) Economic Development in Bogalusa, Louisiana and former Director of Community Services at the Center of Family Love in Okarche, Oklahoma.
She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication from Southeastern Louisiana University. Galloway began her duties as Chief of Staff June 17.

Samantha Galloway
 

(Editor’s note: a high resolution photo of Galloway is available upon request).