Neal McCaleb Statement on Passing of Gary Ridley

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, December 22, 2022 – Neal McCaleb, President of Transportation

Revenues Used Strictly for Transportation (TRUST) and former Secretary of Transportation and

Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike

Authority, issued the following statement this afternoon on the passing of former Secretary of

Transportation and ODOT/OTA Executive Director Gary Ridley.

“Oklahoma has lost a model public servant, gentleman and friend in Gary Ridley. Gary and I

shared very closely the same career path albeit a few years apart. He was the consummate public

servant who worked tirelessly, mostly behind the scenes, to better Oklahoma’s surface

transportation infrastructure. He was an engineer by trade and an expert in bringing parties

together, whether at the state or U.S. Capitals, to continually push highway and bridge

improvement forward in Oklahoma. Upon his retirement, Gary joined the board of TRUST and

his counsel, support and involvement with our organization was felt wide and far. Many men

and women have served Oklahoma admirably within the public sector. Gary Ridley is at the top

of the list. The members of TRUST send our heartfelt sympathies to Gary’s wife, Eula, their

children and his entire family. Rest in Peace.”

TRUST is an advocacy group dedicated to restoring Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure.

We are committed to creating a culture within Oklahoma government that values and adequately

funds transportation as a core priority. Since 2005 TRUST has grown into a diverse coalition of

statewide organizations representing banking, energy, agri-business, construction, chambers of

commerce, public safety, transportation and concerned citizens. To learn more please visit

restoreTRUST.org.

View the press release: restoreTRUST.org