Shelley Zumwalt, director of tourism and recreation, on April 2 talks about solar eclipse preparations. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt on Thursday announced her retirement months after she was called on to resign in the wake of a scathing audit.
Zumwalt has led the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation since October 2022. She said she is retiring to pursue a career in the private sector but will remain in her job until Oct. 11 to help with the transition.
A spokesperson for the tourism agency said she did not know if a severance agreement was involved and could not find out until next week at the earliest.
Zumwalt declined to comment further. Her office referred to a press release which outlined her accomplishments and did not mention the audit’s findings.
“I will always look back on my time in service with deep appreciation and admiration for the dedicated employees I have had the privilege to work alongside over my time with the state of Oklahoma,” she said in the press release.