Hilbert to serve as youngest speaker in state history
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relation | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu
When the Oklahoma House of Representatives gavels in for the next legislative session, Oklahoma State University alumnus Kyle Hilbert will make history as the youngest individual to serve as speaker in state history.
But, his passion for serving others started long before his current role.
Hilbert grew up in the small town of Depew, Oklahoma, and quickly learned a strong work ethic from his father, Kerry, who owned a grocery store in nearby Davenport. Kerry would develop a family business selling pizza dough throughout Oklahoma.
“I grew up driving all over the state of Oklahoma and surrounding states with my dad delivering pizza dough,” Hilbert said. “It was my first experience with small towns throughout the state.”
In addition to spending time on the delivery route with his dad, Hilbert also became involved with FFA. This helped lead him to Stillwater and drove his decision to enroll at OSU.
During his time in Stillwater, Hilbert took a step toward his current role in politics when he served as the president of the Student Government Association. He was in this role in 2015 when the Homecoming tragedy took place during the Sea of Orange Parade.
“I remember how the student body really came together during that time,” Hilbert said. “I will forever think about the individuals we lost that day and pray for their families, but also the resolve of the community that we felt as a Cowboy family in the wake of the tragedy.”
After graduating from OSU in 2016 with a degree in agribusiness, Hilbert’s original plan was to enter the workforce until he received a call from his dad and his high school ag teacher letting him know that the current state representative from the area was going to run for the Oklahoma State Senate.
Hilbert was first elected to serve House District 29, an area that includes parts of Creek and Tulsa counties, in November 2016. Since then, Hilbert has made a positive impression on those he works closely with in his local district and at the state capitol.
Jason Ramsey, chief executive officer for the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, has had the opportunity to work closely with Hilbert multiple times in the past eight years.
“Working with Representative Hilbert has been outstanding. He’s a really thoughtful leader who jumped right in at the beginning of his legislative career,” Ramsey said. “He studies issues deeply with a clear desire to develop solutions that are reasonable and best for improving Oklahoma.”
In 2025, Hilbert will take the role as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the highest leadership position for the House of Representatives. At 30, he will be the youngest person in state history to serve in that role.
“It’s a really humbling experience to step into the role as the 45th speaker of the house,” Hilbert said. “There is a lot of weight that comes with passing laws that make sense for the state of Oklahoma and making sure we are appropriating taxpayer dollars correctly.”
Hilbert now lives in Bristow with his wife, Alexis, and their two daughters, Addison and Dorothy. He continues to focus on helping build the future of the state he loves and calls home. Plus, his alma mater is never far from his heart, especially during the yearly Capitol Cowboys event.
“It’s my favorite day at the capitol every year,” Hilbert said. “I think it’s great for the students because they are getting to interact with alumni and legislators. We all get to sit down and tell each other how much we love OSU.”
Photos: Provided
Story by: Will Carr | STATE Magazine