February 26, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
Governor Kevin Stitt announced in a press release recently the appointment of Jimmy Harrel to the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agriculture and Mechanical Colleges and Anita Holloway to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.
Harrel is filling the seat of Lou Watkins, whose term ends April 4, 2020. Harrel will serve an eight year term beginning April 5, 2020 and expiring April 4, 2028.
Harrel is a rancher, farmer and banker. In 1985, he became an owner of the Bank of Western Oklahoma in Elk City, and developed it into one of the premium agriculture lending banks in the state. The Bank of Western Oklahoma is now located in not only Elk City, but also Woodward, Vici, Cordell, Geary, and Weatherford. Prior to this, Harrel served as high school principal, vocational agriculture instructor and basketball coach at Taloga Public Schools.
A native of Leedey, Harrel earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and vocational agriculture education from Oklahoma State University. He has served on a number of boards and committees, including serving as a former member of the State Board of Agriculture, Board of Regents for A&M Colleges, Board of Regents of Higher Education, and the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Harrel is an active member of the OSU Alumni association and was inducted into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2019.
Harrel has been instrumental in promoting youth and agriculture across Oklahoma and has worked with Governors of Oklahoma and Secretary of Education to keep vocational agriculture a vital part of the public school curriculum.
Both Harrel and Holloway’s positions require Senate confirmation.
