Hofmeister names chief of staff

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister has announced the selection of a retired Oklahoma National Guard lieutenant colonel as chief of staff for the state Department of Education.

Hofmeister on Friday announced the appointment of Lance Nelson of Stillwater to the post and said he began working at the department on Monday.

While in the National Guard, Nelson served in Iraq with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and managed a $93 million budget for the Iraqi government. He also holds a master’s of business administration degree from American Military University.