Diana Ohman

Diana Jean Ohman (born October 3, 1950) is a retired politician who served as Secretary of State of Wyoming from 1995 until 1999. Earlier in her career, Ohman held various educational positions throughout Wyoming. Ohman served as Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1991 to 1995 before being elected Wyoming Secretary of State in 1994. After declining to run for a second term in 1998, Ohman led several divisions of the Department of Defense Education Activity from 1999 to 2011 and later joined the Department of Veteran Affairs before retiring in 2018.

Diana Ohman
18th Secretary of State of Wyoming
In office
January 2, 1995 – January 3, 1999
GovernorJim Geringer
Preceded byKathy Karpan
Succeeded byJoseph Meyer
18th Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office
January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995
Preceded byLynn Simons
Succeeded byJudy Catchpole
Personal details
Born
Diana Jean Mahin[1]

(1950-10-03) October 3, 1950
Sheridan, Wyoming, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseGary Stover
EducationUniversity of Wyoming (BA, M.Ed.)

Early life and education

On October 3, 1950, Ohman was born in Sheridan, Wyoming[2] and later moved to Gurley, Nebraska.[3] After graduating from Gurley High School, Ohman attended Casper College. She later attended the University of Wyoming,[4] receiving degrees in both primary education and administration.[5]

Career

Ohman briefly worked in Casper, Wyoming as a kindergarten teacher.[6][7] She later held various educational positions within the state, first in Gillette before moving to Torrington to become a school principal.[8]

In 1990, Ohman defeated incumbent Democratic State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lynn Simons.[9] During her tenure, Ohman proposed that the Wyoming School for the Deaf be shut down.[10] The decision never materialized, however, as both Ohman and the Wyoming State Legislature decided that the school remain open the following year.[11]

Ohman announced in April 1994 that she would not run for re-election,[12] instead choosing to run for Secretary of State of Wyoming.[13] In the general election, Ohman defeated Democratic nominee Nick Deegan.[14] During her term, Ohman co-created a plan to redistribute legislative seats in Wyoming using Global Information System software. Ohman was also involved in creating awareness about securities fraud and a Secretary of State website for Wyoming.[15][16] Ohman was a write-in candidate for the Governor of Wyoming position during the 1998 election and did not run again as Secretary of State.[6][17] After her term ended, Ohman became a school superintendent in Laramie County, Wyoming.[18]

In July 1999, Ohman started her time as a deputy director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).[19] She led the organization's European division before being selected to lead the DoDEA's Pacific division in 2009.[20] She remained with the DoDEA until she joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2011. With the National Cemetery Administration department, Ohman was in charge of cemeteries throughout the Midwestern United States until retiring in 2018.[21][7]

Awards and honors

As an educator, Ohman was named the best teacher for Campbell County, Wyoming in 1980 and given a 1990 state principal award from the U.S. Office of Education.[22] For her contributions in education, Ohman was given an alumni award by Casper College Foundation in 2009.[23]

Personal life

Ohman is married and has no children.[24]

References
  1. https://wyoarchives.wyo.gov/pdf/BlueBookFinal.pdf
  2. Roberts, Phillip J., ed. (2008). Wyoming Blue Book (PDF). Vol. V. Cheyenne: Wyoming State Archives State Parks and Cultural Resources Department. p. 25. ISBN 9780978982928. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. Brandt, Floyd (June 26, 2013). "Gurley graduate took local lessons around the world". Sidney Sun-Telegraph. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  4. Roberts 2008 ed. pp. 25-26
  5. Drake, Kerry (March 6, 1999). "Ohman picked as superintendent". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A10.
  6. Lee, Sonja (January 20, 1999). "Ohman will seek superintendent position". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1.
  7. Sveda, Danica (July 2019). "Not Slowing Down – Catching Up with Diana Ohman (AA, '70)" (PDF). Casper College Foundation. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  8. "Torrington educator seeks superintendent post". The Billings Gazette. November 11, 1989. p. 10A.
  9. "State incumbents fare well in election bids". Casper Star-Tribune. November 9, 1990. p. A1.
  10. Rea, Tom (December 3, 1991). "Ohman says she proposed closing School for the Deaf". Caspar Star-Tribune. p. A3.
  11. "School for Deaf director is fired". The Billings Gazette. March 20, 1992. p. 2-B.
  12. "Ohman bows out of race". The Billings Gazette. April 8, 1994. p. 1C.
  13. Drake, Kerry (May 25, 1994). "Ohman favors better back tax collection". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A1.
  14. "Ohman starts work on transition". The Billings Gazette. November 17, 1994. p. 6C.
  15. Barron, John (January 4, 1999). "Ohman recalls accomplishments, disappointments". Casper Star-Tribune. pp. A1, A10.
  16. "3 Wyoming officials leave with pride, regret". The Billings Gazette. January 3, 1999. p. 1C.
  17. Drake, Kerry (November 1, 1998). "Secretary of state candidates both emphasize experience". Casper Star-Tribune. p. G1.
  18. Drake 1999, p. A1
  19. Luckett, Bill (July 21, 1999). "Ohman takes job in Germany". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A1.
  20. Griffin, Will (May 13, 2009). "DoDEA Area Director Aligned to New Posts" (Press release). Alexandria, Vriginia: DoDEA Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  21. Tritten, Travis J. (October 4, 2011). "DODEA-Pacific director Ohman leaving post". The Stars and Stripes. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  22. Luckett 1999, p. A10
  23. "Diana Ohman". Casper College Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  24. Roberts ed. 2008, p. 26
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