When Chris Schinnerer graduated from Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, he left Stillwater with more than a degree, he left with a problem-solver’s mindset.

Today, that same mindset guides his work as Oklahoma’s deputy secretary of energy and environment, where he helps shape the state’s approach to energy development, environmental stewardship and economic growth.

Schinnerer, who earned his degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering, acknowledges CEAT with laying the foundation for a career defined by innovation, leadership and service. His time at OSU instilled in him a focus on practical problem-solving — skills he has carried through diverse roles in both the public and private sectors.

Before joining the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Energy & Environment, Schinnerer served as vice president of corporate and business development at Lagoon Water Midstream, where he led strategic initiatives focused on infrastructure and water management in Oklahoma and the Permian Basin. He also held key positions at Devon Energy, overseeing natural gas marketing across major U.S. basins, and previously worked at Goldman Sachs, the National Security Council and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

That breadth of experience, grounded in an engineer’s analytical approach, uniquely positions Schinnerer to help guide Oklahoma’s energy and environmental strategy. In his current role, he promotes policies that foster innovation while protecting the state’s natural resources. His blend of industry expertise and policy insight offers a distinctive perspective on how Oklahoma will strengthen its energy portfolio while maintaining its leadership as an energy producer state.

Whether he’s discussing electricity generation, oil & gas development, or water management, Schinnerer’s leadership reflects the same values OSU instills in its students: service, integrity and forward-thinking problem-solving. Schinnerer strongly advocates for partnerships between Oklahoma’s universities, government and private industry through his service board of directors for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, which drives innovation by funding new products, processes and industries that strengthen and diversify the state's economy.  

From Stillwater to the State Capitol, Schinnerer exemplifies the next generation of CEAT leaders shaping Oklahoma’s future. His career shows that an OSU engineering education doesn’t just prepare students to design systems, it prepares them to lead them.