Greg Mashburn didn’t let retirement from his position as District Attorney over McClain, Garvin and Cleveland Counties send him to the couch.

Just before he retired, Mashburn was informed the OSBI director job was going to become open.

Mashburn, who had been contemplating going into private law practice in Oklahoma City, tossed his hat into the ring to become the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Mashburn, who served as the District Attorney for 18 years, jumped at the chance to become the OSBI Director.

“I got a phone call about the job and thought that would be so much better (than going into private practice),” Mashburn said. “It is right in my wheelhouse so I put my name in and interviewed with the commission.”

Mashburn’s retirement was effective Friday, March 1. He took over at the OSBI the next Monday.

There are about 115 OSBI agents spread out all over the state. There are six regional offices and around 400 employees.

“I’m learning a lot,” Mashburn continued. “I’ve got the organizational chart out looking to see where everyone is situated.”

Last week Mashburn traveled to the regional offices in Lawton and Enid. This week he plans on going to the regional office in Tulsa.

“I’m trying to get around the state and get to know everybody. It’s very exciting. I’m having a blast,” Mashburn confirmed. “The mission of the agency is so pure. They want to hold all people accountable. It’s the premier investigative agency in the state and is so important, especially in the rural areas.

“When a sheriff or police chief calls, we show up and investigate. It’s a great mission and it’s awesome to be a part of it,” he said.

Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Jennifer Austin as the new DA for the three-county area.

Her appointment will fill the office for the remaining two years of Mashburn’s term that ends in 2027.

Austin, who was a founding member of the Domestic Violence Prosecution Team and handled cases involving homicide and child abuse, joined Mashburn’s staff in 2007.

She served on the Major Crimes Team and the Special Victim’s Team.