Leadership Oklahoma

08/20/2026

Congratulations to Melissa Hall (Class XXIX & Lifetime Member) and Jena Marr (Class 39) for being named among the Journal Record’s 2026 Woman of the Year honorees! 👏

Melissa and Jena, along with an amazing group of inspiring women, will be celebrated on October 15, 2026, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Honorees announced for our Woman of the Year awards!

These awards celebrate Oklahoma women whose leadership, service, and impact continue to shape businesses, industries, and communities across the state.

See More: bit.ly/4o1qdxN

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Chris Benge, Class XXVI & Lifetime Member, for being named President of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance!

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance has named Chris Benge president, bringing many years of public policy and state leadership experience to the organization’s executive team.

Benge will focus on business growth and external engagement, working with state leaders, Native Nations, education institutions, economic development organizations and other partners to broaden opportunities for Oklahoma manufacturers. He also will help communicate industry priorities, cultivate new alliances and connect companies with programs that support innovation, talent needs and long-term competitiveness.

“Chris understands how public policy, workforce preparation and economic development come together to influence the success of Oklahoma companies,” said Roger Kelly, OMA chief executive officer. “His statewide relationships and ability to bring people together will help OMA reach more manufacturers, develop productive collaborations and identify new ways to serve industry.”

A Tulsa native and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Benge began his career in a family-owned painting and construction business. He later served 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, including three years as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee and two years as speaker of the House.

His public service also includes roles as an adviser to Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Oklahoma secretary of state, secretary of Native American affairs and chief of staff to Gov. Mary Fallin. Benge previously was senior vice president of government affairs at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, where he worked to support the economic development efforts of the organization.

He spent the past seven-and-a-half years with Oklahoma State University serving in senior leadership roles at the OSU Center for Health Sciences and OSU-Tulsa. Most recently, Benge served as vice president of operations and director of workforce partnerships at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee. In that capacity, he helped advance technical education and career pathways designed to address employer needs and prepare Oklahomans for well-paying jobs.”

“Manufacturing is essential to Oklahoma’s future, and continued progress will require close coordination among employers, policymakers, tribal governments, educators and local communities,” Benge said. “I believe Oklahoma is well positioned to play a significant role in the U.S. effort to expand the manufacturing capabilities of our nation and compete in a 21st century economy. At OMA, I look forward to bringing those groups together and creating opportunities that benefit manufacturers, their employees and communities across the state.”

Benge has represented Oklahoma on diplomatic missions to South Korea and Taiwan and has worked throughout his career to strengthen the state’s visibility and economic relationships.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/17/2026

Congratulations to Chris Harrison, Class 35, for being selected as Executive Director for Oklahoma City's Adventure District!

Christopher J. Harrison , Sr., Selected as Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Adventure District

The Oklahoma City Adventure District has selected longtime Oklahoma City business executive and civic leader Christopher J. Harrison, Sr. as its new Executive Director, positioning one of Oklahoma City's most visited destinations for an ambitious new chapter centered on economic development, hospitality, destination growth, strategic investment and regional partnerships.

Harrison brings 31 years of professional and executive experience, 20 years as an Oklahoma City business owner and decades of civic, nonprofit, education and community leadership to the position.

A longtime champion for the growth of Oklahoma City, particularly Northeast Oklahoma City, Harrison assumes leadership of the Adventure District at a pivotal moment. Oklahoma City is experiencing historic momentum, the district is attracting millions of visits annually, and the region is preparing for the international visibility associated with the 2028 Olympic Games.

For Harrison, the opportunity extends far beyond increasing attendance at attractions.
His vision is to help build a complete destination economy.

"I see the Adventure District evolving into an 18 hour live, work, learn and leisure experience. We already have extraordinary destination assets.
Our next chapter is about connecting those assets to hospitality, restaurants, retail, business development, education, entertainment, housing, public spaces and new investment so that people have compelling reasons to arrive earlier, stay longer and return more often. I have always been a champion for the growth of Oklahoma City, and particularly Northeast Oklahoma City. I believe this district can demonstrate what happens when tourism, economic development, neighborhoods, education, infrastructure and private investment are aligned around a common vision." - Christopher J. Harrison, Sr.

08/14/2026

Give a warm welcome to Leadership Oklahoma Class 39!
This group has officially begun their LOK experience, and we are excited about the amazing year ahead. 🎉

08/13/2026

Ken Busby, Class XVII, is being recognized by the Oklahoma Museums Association with the Service to the Profession Award! Congratulations!

We are excited to honor individuals and museums from across the state during its 2026 annual conference, Sept. 16–18 in Edmond. The recognition and awards recognize exceptional leadership, service and milestones that strengthen Oklahoma’s museum community.

The OMA Recognition Dinner will be held Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Edmond Conference Center. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 31 at https://okmuseums.wufoo.com/forms/mlewuyy1yvymqc/

Service to the Profession Award- OMA’s highest honor will be presented to Ken Busby for decades of leadership and advocacy on behalf of Oklahoma’s cultural institutions. Busby, known as the “Cultural Czar of Northeast Oklahoma,” is Executive Director & CEO of the Route 66 Alliance. He is a past OMA president and has served in numerous leadership roles supporting Oklahoma’s museums, tourism and cultural organizations.

President’s Award - The OMA President’s Award will be presented to Eriech Tapia, Ph.D., for outstanding advocacy on behalf of Oklahoma museums. Tapia serves as Government Relations and Public Policy Officer for the Council of Graduate Schools and advances state and federal legislative strategy for OMA. A former journalist for The Oklahoman, he has also served on the boards of the Edmond History Museum and Classical KUCO Radio.

Certificate of Recognition Recipients:
Staff of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum
Jeff DeFehr, Stafford Air & Space Museum
Nicole Reynolds, Har-Ber Village Museum
Margie Smith-Robbins, American Banjo Museum

Museum Milestones - OMA will also recognize these museum and cultural organizations for significant anniversaries:
Choctaw Cultural Center – 5 years
First Americans Museum – 5 years
Greenwood Rising Museum – 5 years
Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum – 10 years
Three Rivers Museum – 25 years
Shepherd’s Cross & Heart of the Shepherd – 35 years
Harn Homestead Museum – 40 years
Red Earth Festival – 40 years
E.W. Marland Mansion – 50 years
National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – 50 years
Skiatook Museum – 50 years
Three Valley Museum – 50 years
Plains Indians & Pioneers Museum - 60 years
The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art – 60 years
Museum of the Great Plains – 65 years
Anadarko Heritage Museum – 90 years
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art – 90 years
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge – 125 years

08/11/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Distinguished Leadership Award Honoree, Farooq Karim (Class 30 & Lifetime Member)! 🎉

Each year, Leadership Oklahoma honors an outstanding member whose service, participation, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our organization. We are thrilled to celebrate Farooq and all he has contributed to LOK!

Join us for our All Class Reunion & Distinguished Leadership Award Reception:

📅 September 10, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 Okana Resort – Sunset Ballroom

Come reconnect with LOK friends from across the classes, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and help us celebrate Farooq!

The following morning will be our annual Fall Forum: Meet the Candidates at Okana from 9 am to 2 pm.

For more information & registration, visit: https://leadershipoklahoma.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F51195

We hope to see you there! 💙

08/11/2026

Leadership Oklahoma's 40th Anniversary Directory has arrived! Organized, edited, and put together with a lot of labor and love.
We are excited for our members to receive them in the mail!

08/10/2026

Congratulations to our Leadership Oklahoma members recognized on the 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans list!

✨ Mary Jane Calvey, Class XVI
✨ Joe Dorman, Class XVIII
✨ Rhonda Hooper, Class XXI
✨ Ted Streuli, Class XXIV

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Andrew Ranson, Class 37 & Lifetime Member, for being named the recipient of the 2026 Global Leadership Achievement Award by Sister Cities International OKC!