Jerry Regier

Gerald P. "Jerry" Regier (born 1945) is an American businessman and politician from Oklahoma who is best known as founder and first President of the Family Research Council.

Regier has previously served in numerous positions within the Administration of Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating, including Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services (1997–2002). In addition to his service as Secretary, Regier served concurrently as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Family Research Council

Regier, in cooperation with Dr. James Dobson, founded the Family Research Council, a conservative, Christian right group and lobbying organization, in 1983. Regier served as that organization's first President from 1984 until 1988. Gary Bauer, a domestic policy advisor under President Ronald Reagan, succeeded Regier as President.

Federal government career

President Ronald Reagan appointed Regier in 1988 to the National Commission on Children, an advisory body in the United States Department of Health and Human Services on children's issues. Reagan's successor, George H.W. Bush, reappointed Regier in 1991. Regier continued to serve on the Commission until 1993.

In 1992, President Bush appointed Regier as Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Regier served in both of those positions until the end of Bush's term in 1993.

Keating Administration

Office of Juvenile Affairs

When Republican Frank Keating, a former Reagan Administration official, was elected Governor of Oklahoma in 1995, Keating appointed Regier to serve as the Deputy Director of the newly created Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) under Executive Director Ken Lackey. Regier served as Lackey's principal juvenile justice advisor to Lackey in his position as Keating's Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services. When Lackey resigned as Executive Director of OJA, Keating appointed Regier as his successor.

Health & Human Services Secretary

Lackey served as Health and Human Services Secretary until 1997, when Keating appointed him as his Chief of Staff. Keating appointed Regier to succeed Lackey as Secretary. As Health and Human Services Secretary, Regier served as Keating's top health policy advisor and provided oversight to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, and the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.^[1]

Regier resigned as Secretary in 2002 to pursue a campaign to succeed the term-limited Keating as Governor of Oklahoma. Keating appointed the head of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Howard Hendrick, to succeed Regier as Secretary.^[2][3]

Gubernatorial campaign, 2002

Regier entered the 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election as a Republican candidate. He faced former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and then Congressman Steve Largent for the Republican nomination. In April of that year, however, Regier dropped out the gubernatorial campaign when he discovered a 10-year residency requirement "next preceding" election as Governor. Although he was an Oklahoma native, he had only been back in the state seven years. Largent went on to receive the nomination and faced Democratic State Senator Brad Henry. Henry narrowly defeated Largent.^[4]

Jeb Bush Administration

When Regier dropped out of the Governor's race, Keating recommended that Governor of Florida Jeb Bush appoint him the head of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Bush acted on Keating's recommendation and made Regier his Secretary of Children and Families. He remained in that position until the end of Bush's term in 2007.^[5]

References

1. ↑ Price, Marie (1997-04-16). "Keating nominates Regier". The Journal Record. 
2. ↑ The Journal Record Staff (2002-01-29). "DHS head to replace Regier in Keating cabinet". The Journal Record. 
3. ↑ The Journal Record Staff (2002-01-08). "Regier resigns form cabinet". The Journal Record. 
4. ↑ Price, Marie (2002-04-26). "Gubernatorial candidate drops out of race". The Journal Record. 
5. ↑ LA Times Staff (2002-08-16). "Ex-Aide of Elder Bush to Head Florida's Child Welfare Agency". LA Times. 

External links

v t e Cabinet of Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating (1995–2003)   Cabinet Secretary of Administration Tom Brennan (1995-1997) Pam Warren (1997–2003) Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Howard (1995–2003) Secretary of Commerce Dean Werries (1995–1997) Ron Rosenfeld (1997-1998) Howard Barnett, Jr. (1998-1999) Russell M. Perry (1999-2000) Vacant (2000-2003) Secretary of Education Floyd Coppedege (1995–2003) Secretary of Energy Carl Michael Smith (1995–2002) Robert J. Sullivan, Jr. (2002-2003) Secretary of the Environment Gary Sherrer (1995–1997) Brian C. Griffin (1997-2003) Secretary of Finance and Revenue Tom Daxon (1995–2003) Secretary of Health and Human Services Ken Lackey (1995–1997) Jerry Regier (1997-2002) Howard Hendrick (2002-2003) Secretary of Human Resources Oscar B. Jackson Jr. (1995–2003) Secretary of the Military Stephen Cortright (1995–2003) Secretary of Safety and Security Bob Ricks (1995–2003) Secretary of Science and Technology W. Arthur Porter (1999–2003) Secretary of Tourism and Recreation Edward H. Cook (1995–1999) Jane Anne Jayroe (1999-2003) Secretary of Transportation Neal McCaleb (1995–2001) Herschal Crow (2001-2003) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Norman Lamb (1995–2003)