Jari Askins

Jari Askins took the office of Oklahoma Administrative Director of the Courts in 2015. Previously she served as Oklahoma's 15th lieutenant governor from 2007 to 2011.

Askins was born April 27, 1953, in Duncan, Oklahoma. She completed her Bachelor Arts in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1975. In 1980, she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Prior to serving as lieutenant governor, Askins served as the special district judge of Stephen County, Oklahoma, from 1982 to 1990. From 1991 to 1992, she served as the chair of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, becoming the board's first female chair. From 1992 to 1994, she served as the deputy counsel to Governor Walters. Prior to being elected as lieutenant governor, she also served 12 years as a state representative.