About Chief Gary Batton... 

 

Chief Gary Dale Batton, the 47th Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, was born December 15, 1966, in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest child of Earl and Dolly Batton. A proud member of the Choctaw Nation, he grew up in southeastern Oklahoma and graduated from Clayton High School in 1985. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, preparing him for a lifelong career of service to his people.

Batton began working for the Choctaw Nation in 1987 while still in college, starting in the Purchasing Department before advancing to leadership roles in housing and health. In 1997, he was appointed Executive Director of Health Services, where he led the construction of a state-of-the-art health care facility—the first tribally funded center of its kind—to replace the original Choctaw hospital built in the 1930s. Under his leadership, patient care more than doubled, clinics expanded across the reservation, and partnerships with universities and state agencies brought specialized services to rural communities.

Recognized for his ability to manage complex operations and deliver results, Batton was appointed Assistant Chief in 2007 by Chief Gregory Pyle. In that role, he oversaw economic development projects, including a $385 million expansion of gaming facilities that created hundreds of jobs and strengthened the Nation’s business portfolio. He also represented the tribe on national committees and boards, shaping policies on health, education, and economic growth. When Chief Pyle retired in 2014, Batton was sworn in as Chief. The following year, he was elected in his own right with 86.52% of the vote, becoming only the third elected Chief since the reestablishment of the tribal constitution in 1983. He has since been reelected to three full terms, twice unopposed, a testament to his popularity and vision.

Chief Batton’s guiding philosophy is rooted in the Chahta spirit of Faith, Family, and Culture. To demonstrate his commitment to faith, he has overseen the building of a chapel, the installation of a Ten Commandments Monument at Tvshka Homma, the posting of the Ten Commandments throughout tribal facilities, the hiring of a chaplain for employees, and the passage of a Council resolution declaring the Choctaw Nation a Christian nation. To revitalize culture, he initiated projects such as the creation of a Choctaw dictionary, a Choctaw hymnal app, and the declaration of “Heritage Monday” on the first Monday of each month. On these days, employees and citizens celebrate traditional dress, pottery, hymn singing, and language, ensuring that Choctaw heritage is carried forward.

Under his leadership, the Choctaw Nation has achieved an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion annually in Oklahoma. He has overseen major expansions, including new casinos, travel plazas, and in 2021 the opening of the $600 million, 21-story Sky Tower Hotel and entertainment venue at the Choctaw Casino Resort–Durant. The Nation has also diversified into defense contracts, ammunition plants, restaurants, and food markets. Today, the Choctaw Nation employs more than 13,000 people, while its educational and career programs help tribal members acquire skills that provide a higher standard of living for their families.

Chief Batton has also prioritized sovereignty and government-to-government relations. He secured a historic timber settlement with the United States, negotiated a water rights agreement with the federal government and the Chickasaw Nation, and established the issuance of Choctaw Nation vehicle license tags and veterans’ tags in Oklahoma. Under his leadership, Choctaw citizens also gained access to state hunting and fishing licenses. The Nation has hosted world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, reflecting its growing global profile.

Infrastructure has expanded dramatically during Batton’s tenure. In 2018, the tribe opened a new headquarters in Durant—a central campus designed for collaboration and cultural visibility, located near a regional health clinic. The campus has since expanded to include the Nation’s first judicial center, further solidifying its role as a hub for governance, health, and cultural preservation.

Chief Batton’s accomplishments have earned him widespread recognition. He has been named one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs by The Journal Record, honored as an Oklahoma Creativity Ambassador by Creative Oklahoma, recognized as an Outstanding Alumni of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2020. In 2024, he received the International Economic Development Council’s Public Sector Champion Award, and in 2025 he was granted an Honorary American FFA Degree for his support of youth and agriculture.

Batton and his wife, Angie, reside in Clayton, Oklahoma. They have two children and two grandchildren and a now a great-grandchild. Despite his many achievements, Chief Batton remains guided by a simple but powerful vision: to live out and preserve the Chahta spirit of Faith, Family, and Culture, ensuring that the Choctaw Nation thrives today and for generations to come.