Class 38 Enid

Class 38 Reflections

Dr. Ruth Jackson
President,
Langston University

When we completed our pre-experience survey last August, energy ranked lowest in both my knowledge and interest, with economic development only slightly higher. Compared to topics like education, criminal justice, and tribal sovereignty, these issues felt distant to me. That perspective changed quickly. The Energy & Economic Development session in Enid turned out to be one of the most informative and enjoyable experiences of the program so far.

Over two days of presentations, site visits, and open discussions, our speakers walked us through Oklahoma’s energy landscape, from traditional oil and gas to wind, solar, and renewable natural gas, and showed how closely these industries are tied to workforce development, infrastructure, and long-term economic resilience. I particularly appreciated the focus on workforce partnerships among educational institutions and the reminder that each plays an essential role in building both a skilled workforce and a strong quality of life. The depth of knowledge shared was matched by a genuine commitment to Oklahoma’s future.

Just as meaningful was the chance to learn alongside my classmates and reconnect with LOK alumni from across the state. Meeting leaders in person, many of whom I previously knew only by name in the program directory, reinforced the impressive depth of talent working on behalf of our state.

The hospitality of the Enid community was exceptional. From Thursday evening’s reception and dinner to a police-escorted arrival at Autry Technology Center, we were treated like honored guests. An unforgettable evening at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, complete with our photos on the scoreboard and our names announced on the field, capped the experience. The evening concluded with a quiet moment admiring one of the world’s largest Christmas trees, kept lit just for us.



I left Enid with a deeper appreciation for how interconnected energy, workforce, and community truly are, and for the people in western Oklahoma who care deeply about getting it right.

Bruce Schultz
SVP, Community Development & Public Banking/CRA Officer
Gateway First Bank

LOK Class 38 had an amazing session on Energy and Economic Development, courtesy of the good people of Enid, who really rolled out the red carpet that they are known for in NW Oklahoma, a part of the state from which I am proud to originally hail.

After our pre-session lunch at the Enid Brewery where we heard about their use of locally sourced products, we headed to the Grand National Gun Club. While there we learned about wildlife’s economic impact and had the opportunity to blast clay pigeons out of the sky – something this old country boy can still do! Groendyke’s CEO Greg Hodgen thoughtfully challenged us at dinner to take hold of the learning opportunity LOK presents and effect positive change for the future of Oklahoma – a theme that strongly resonates among all of us in Class 38.

On Friday, we heard insightful presentations from leaders across the state’s energy sector covering everything from our energy mix source to our present and future energy needs along with the rights of land-and royalty owners. I was surprised to learn just how much wind energy contributes to our state’s overall electricity generation. Tours of renewable energy locations around Enid were also eye-opening as we saw the economic impact and job creation this space creates.

Saturday’s session on economic development was the highlight for me as this is something I am engaged in during my daily work as a community banker. From workforce development to economic incentives to special state financing, there is a great deal of activity from the local to state level to both expand existing businesses as well as attract new ones to Oklahoma. I am already looking forward to following through more on this because of the contacts I have made through LOK and this session.

In my youth, I recall an Enid that was limping along as it reeled from the Oil Bust of the 1980’s. It was a city facing a declining population reflected in the vacant storefronts across town, but especially in the downtown square. Today, Enid is a robustly vibrant and thriving community with a bustling downtown scene reflective of the diverse economy it has developed in the past 30 years. It is a testament to the resilience of NW Oklahoma, handed down by the rugged pioneers who settled those plains more than 130 years ago.

LOK Class 39 Applications Open!

Applications for Leadership Oklahoma Class 39 are officially open, and we need your help spreading the word!

Leadership Oklahoma is built on the strength of its people, and many of our strongest classes have come from personal recommendations and shared opportunities. If you know a leader who is passionate about Oklahoma, committed to growth, and ready to make a statewide impact, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

Leadership Oklahoma is excited to announce we’re hiring a full-time Operations & Administrative Coordinator!

This role plays a vital part in supporting the day-to-day operations of our organization by ensuring efficiency through strong financial management, administrative support, and operational coordination. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable juggling multiple priorities while working closely with staff, board members, and partners across Oklahoma.

If you’re someone who thrives behind the scenes, enjoys keeping things running smoothly, and wants to support leadership development across our state, we’d love to hear from you!

Upcoming Events:

Please save the date and join us for Leadership Oklahoma’s Spring Summit: Public Safety, Preparedness & Well-Being on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Sheraton Downtown Oklahoma City.

This one-day Summit will bring together leaders from across Oklahoma to explore how our state prepares for and responds to emergencies, how public safety agencies collaborate during crises, and how we support the mental health and well-being of first responders.

During the luncheon, we will also honor Dr. Rachael Melot, Class 34 & Lifetime Member, as the 2026 Helping Oklahoma Honoree, recognizing her impactful work with the Child Advocacy Center for Central Oklahoma.

Program Agenda: 

11:00 am: Registration & Networking
11:30 am: Lunch & Helping Oklahoma Award
11:45 am: Welcome
12:00 pm: Public Safety 101 Panel
1:30 pm: Break
1:45 pm: Emergency Response Panel
2:45 pm: Break
3:00 pm: First Responder Mental Health & Wellness
3:45 pm: Break
4:00 pm: Legislative Panel
5:00 pm: Call to Action & Adjournment

Immediately following is the Legislative Reception from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, offering an opportunity to connect with state legislators and Leadership Oklahoma members over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Save the Date!