Leadership Oklahoma Honors Four State Leaders
Leadership Oklahoma will honor four state leaders at its annual Excellence in Leadership Gala at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
“Each year we are privileged to recognize the individuals and organizations that make a meaningful difference in Oklahoma,” said Ann Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Oklahoma. “We honor them for elevating quality of life and empowering our state for greater prosperity.”
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be Melvin Moran of Seminole. Moran is the owner of Moran Oil Enterprises, and is an active leader in the state’s petroleum industry. He is also the co-founder of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, one of Oklahoma’s major tourism attractions. Moran is a lifelong businessman who has been a major supporter of education for many decades and is dedicated to making the world a better place for all to live.
The Distinguished Graduate Award belongs to Bill W. Burgess, Jr., (Class IX) Chairman of Vortex, Inc. in Lawton. Burgess was recently appointed as the Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army and represents all of Oklahoma’s U.S. Army organizations and installations. He is currently the Chairman of The State Chamber of Oklahoma and has served in countless key leadership positions across Oklahoma and our Nation. Burgess served as a Regent with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for 18 years. He has previously served as Chairman of Leadership Oklahoma, Oklahoma Business Roundtable and the Citizens’ Commission on the Future of Oklahoma Higher Education. Burgess truly exemplifies the highest standards of leadership.
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc. of Kingfisher, an industry leader in rural telecommunications services, will receive the Business Leadership Award in recognition for its assistance in providing leadership development and community development. Pioneer also assists with special project capital, donations and scholarships to help impact the economic viability of communities across Oklahoma.
The Statewide Community Award acknowledges BancFirst, Oklahoma’s largest state-chartered bank with locations in 50 Oklahoma communities, as the organization which has reached across valued differences to develop among Oklahomans a sense of common purpose and a more profound sense of loyalty to their state. In each community, BancFirst leaders are dedicated to building the communities and Oklahoma economically, educationally and emotionally.
Co-Chairs of the Leadership Oklahoma Excellence in Leadership Gala are Russ Harrison (Class XXI) and Natalie Shirley (Class XXII) of Oklahoma City.
Tickets are $125 each and are available on the LOK website or by clicking here. Sponsorships are also available ranging from $1,000 - $5,000. Hope to see you there!