Neal McCaleb

Neal A. "Chief" McCaleb (born 1935) is an American civil engineer and Republican politician from Oklahoma. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, McCaleb served in several positions in the Oklahoma state government and then as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs under President George W. Bush.

Neal McCaleb
McCaleb speaking at the opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma City Crosstown Expressway.
8th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs
In office
2001–2003
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byKevin Gover
Succeeded byDavid W. Anderson
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
In office
January, 1995 – July, 2001
GovernorFrank Keating
Succeeded byHerschal Crow
Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
GovernorFrank Keating
Succeeded byHerschal Crow
Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
In office
1995 – July, 2001
GovernorFrank Keating
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
In office
1987–1991
GovernorHenry Bellmon
Minority Leader of Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office
1979–1983
Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office
1975–1983
Personal details
Born1935 (age 85–86)
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Georgann McCaleb
Children4
ResidenceOklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alma materOklahoma A&M College
OccupationCivil Engineer
Politician

Early life

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, McCaleb graduated from Putnam City High School in 1953 and received bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University (then known as Oklahoma A&M College) in 1957. Prior to entering politics, McCaleb was a practicing civil engineer. In 1975, McCaleb was named the charter Chairman of the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers.

Oklahoma politics

State Legislature

McCaleb was elected as a Republican to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1974. He remained in the House until 1983. In 1978, McCaleb's colleagues elected him House Minority Leader. He remained in that position until his retirement from the Legislature.

Bellmon Administration

Governor of Oklahoma Henry Bellmon appointed McCaleb to serve as the State's first Secretary of Transportation. The post was created following the passage of the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. In addition to his service as Secretary, Bellmon appointed him to serve concurrently as Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. McCaleb served in both positions until the end of Bellmon's term in 1991.

Oklahoma Good Roads Association

Following the end of Bellmon's term, McCaleb became the President of the Oklahoma Good Roads and Transportation Association, a lobbying group dedicated to advocating safe, efficient and affordable state streets, roads and highways. He served as President until 1995.

Keating Administration

In 1995, incumbent Governor of Oklahoma David Walters choose not to seek re-election as Governor. Republican Frank Keating was elected to succeed him in that position. Keating appointed McCaleb to serve as his Secretary of Transportation. Additionally, Keating appointed McCaleb as the head of both the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.[1]

McCaleb remained in all three positions until July 2001 until he resigned to take a federal government job. Keating appointed Herschal Crow of Tulsa to succeed him as Secretary.

George W. Bush Administration

As a member of the Chickasaw Nation, McCaleb was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush in 2001 to be the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, reporting directly to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. As the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, McCaleb was charged with the administration and management of 56 million acres (230,000 km2) of land held in trust by the United States government for Native Americans, Native American tribes, and Alaska Natives.

McCaleb remained in that position until 2002, when he returned home to Oklahoma.[2]

Chickasaw national service

After leaving federal government service, McCaleb began work as advisor to Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. McCaleb has been tasked by Governor Anoatubby with the development of long-term economic development plans and policy. Governor Anoatubby appointed McCaleb to the board of directors of Bank 2, a financial industry firm completely owned by the Chickasaw Nation. Governor Anoatubby also made McCaleb the Chairman of the Board for Chickasaw Nation Industries, a wholly owned subentity of the Nation responsible for promoting economic development for the tribe.

Personal life

McCaleb is married to his wife Georgann and together they have four children and twelve grandchildren.

References
  1. Rodgers, Kim (1995-03-15). "Senate Panel OKs McCaleb for Cabinet". The Journal Record.
  2. http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/bia-resignation-leaves-tribes-worried/article_7fddfffa-5d08-5c80-9131-95ea5286cabf.html
Political offices
Preceded by
 Oklahoma State Representative
1975–1983		 Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Minority Leader of Oklahoma House of Representatives
1979–1983		 Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
Under Governor Henry Bellmon
1987–1991		 Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Under Governor Henry Bellmon
1987–1991		 Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
Under Governor Frank Keating
1995–2001		 Succeeded by
Herschal Crow
Preceded by
 Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Under Governor Frank Keating
1995–2001
Preceded by
 Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Under Governor Frank Keating
1995–2001		 Succeeded by
Preceded by
Kevin Gover		 Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs
Under President George W. Bush
2001–2003		 Succeeded by
Dave Anderson
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