Home » Ball names chief of staff and assistant state treasurer

Ball names chief of staff and assistant state treasurer

OJ Oleka
OJ Oleka

Promoted from communications director

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 24, 2017) — OJ Oleka has been promoted from communications director to chief of staff and assistant state treasurer, Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball announced today.

“For the past year, OJ has shaped the message coming out of my office,” Ball said in a statement. “He has been a leader in developing policy goals and has developed a strong understanding of all functions within Treasury. I’m confident in his ability to do the job.”

Oleka will advise Ball on policy and legislative issues, while also managing the day-to-day operations in Treasury.

Oleka, a Frankfort native, has an MBA from Bellarmine University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Louisville, where he served as president of the student body and chairman of the Board of Student Body Presidents. Oleka led the Unclaimed Property Division as director during Ball’s first year. Prior to joining Ball’s staff, Oleka served in numerous private sector and non-profit management roles. Oleka will continue to maintain the communication duties within the office.

Ball has also hired Samara Heavrin to serve as director of the Unclaimed Property Division. In addition to that role, Heavrin will assist in promoting Ball’s new STABLE Kentucky initiative and other legislative priorities.

Heavrin is from Grayson County. She worked for Sen. Rand Paul in his Washington, D.C. office for two years, serving as executive assistant and leading the scheduling and logistics efforts. Prior to that she worked for Congressman Brett Guthrie.