47th Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Gary Batton was sworn into office on April 28, 2014, succeeding Chief Gregory E. Pyle. He began his career with the tribe in 1987 as a clerk in the Purchasing Department.
After earning a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1989, he served as Deputy Director of the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority. In 1997 he was appointed Executive Director of Health, overseeing the construction of the first tribally funded health facility in the U.S. and doubling patient load.
Batton was named Assistant Chief in May 2007, where he chaired the Choctaw Nation Business Committee and drove economic expansion, including a $385 million gaming facility project. He has been recognized as one of Oklahoma's Most Admired CEOs, a Southeastern Oklahoma State University Outstanding Alumni, and a recipient of the Happy World Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Citizenship.
He serves on numerous boards including the Children's Hospital Foundation, Choctaw Nation Chahta Foundation, Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, Southeastern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Texoma Medical Center, First United Bank, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, State Chamber of Oklahoma, and Imagine Durant.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Clerk, Purchasing Department | 1987-01-01 – 1989-01-01 |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Executive Director of Health | 1997-01-01 – 2007-01-01 |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Assistant Chief | 2007-01-01 – 2014-01-01 |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Chief | – present |