Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby announces running mate

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby will file for reelection to his ninth consecutive term as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation in June. Under Governor Anoatubby’s leadership, the Chickasaw Nation has achieved tremendous progress. His administration has led an intentional effort to build a strong economy as part of its mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.

Strong financial performance of more than 100 tribal businesses has enabled continued growth in funding dedicated to more than 200 programs and services designed to create opportunities for Chickasaws.

Growth continues in all areas of the tribe. This past year, the Chickasaw Nation opened a new senior citizen center and community center in Oklahoma City. In addition, a number of projects are in various stages of construction including a new pharmacy at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, a new wellness center in Ada, a new community center in Achille, and this week, the tribe opened a new transportation building.

Governor Anoatubby said that choosing a candidate for Lt. Governor who has the education and experience to help maintain the progress was a high priority.

Chris Anoatubby, who has more than two decades of experience with the Chickasaw Nation, will join the ticket as candidate for Lt. Governor.

Chris began his career with the Chickasaw Nation as a staff pharmacist, and now serves as Deputy Secretary of Health, where he oversees all clinical and non-clinical programs and services of the department.

Governor Anoatubby said that Chris has proven leadership skills.

“Chris has proven himself an effective leader serving the Chickasaw people in both the Department of Health and the Department of Commerce during his 22-year career with the Chickasaw Nation,” Governor Anoatubby said.

“He has played a significant role in accomplishing several important milestones, including establishing the tribe’s first comprehensive pharmacy refill center and business diversification in health care, among others.”

Chris served as Chief of Pharmacy services from 2001 to 2010. In 2007, he helped design, equip and implement the first pharmacy refill center for the Chickasaw Nation. That program continues to expand and the pharmacy system as a whole now fills more than 1.8 million prescriptions annually.

That same year, Chris was named Outstanding Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service.

Chris served as Under Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Chief Medical Solutions Officer from 2010 to 2018. In this role, he took part in the development of business diversification efforts in health care, pharmaceutical industries, health information technology, and other health related businesses.

His responsibilities also included analyzing industry trends and changes in the political and economic environment that could impact Chickasaw Nation plans for economic diversification opportunities.

“Being involved in the progress we have made working for the Chickasaw people has been very rewarding,” Chris Anoatubby said. “This is a great honor and a tremendous responsibility to serve the Chickasaw Nation in another capacity. It is exciting to look forward to an even brighter future as we continue working to move our nation forward.”

Chris serves on numerous boards, including Development Chair of the Chickasaw Foundation Board and Vice Chair of the East Central University Foundation Board of Trustees. He is on the board of Leadership Oklahoma, United Way of Central Oklahoma and Oka’ Institute, as well as an advisory board member of the Byng Excellence in Education Foundation.

Chris earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2017. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma in 1997.

Chris and his wife Becky have three children, Brendan, Eryn and Sydney.