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Grove Chamber President to Lead Statewide Chamber of Commerce Executives Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2011

Oklahoma City – Lisa Friden, president of the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, was elected to serve as the 2012 president of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE).

No stranger to the chamber world, Friden has been president of the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce for the past seven years and in the chamber profession for the last 15 years. She was also named the OCCE chamber executive of the year in 2010.

Executive Director of the Yukon Chamber Selected for Leadership Award

Statewide chamber executives organization recognizes leaders during annual meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2011

Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) honored Paisley Hopkins, Executive Director of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, with the 2011 Executive Leadership Award this week at Remington Park.

Hopkins received this award at the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 3-4 in Oklahoma City. The Executive Leadership Award recognizes exceptional accomplishments of chamber professionals who have been in a paid chamber leadership role for three years or less. This award is one of several that the chamber executives present every year to highlight accomplishments and encourage the highest professional standards for the profession.

“Paisley has guided the Chamber Board and members through the process of creating, approving, and publishing a much needed program of work that, in my view, sets a course for progress and growth for the businesses of Yukon,” said Grayson Bottom, Yukon City Manager. “I have enjoyed watching Ms. Hopkins build professional relationships that will help the Yukon business community for many years.”

Chamber Professionals Complete Management Training Program

Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives recognizes spring and fall graduates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2011

Oklahoma City--The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) recognized 26 chamber professionals from across the state for successfully completing the Chamber Management Institute (CMI) program at the organization’s annual meeting in Oklahoma City this week.

The classes provided insight into critical management issues such as program development, finance, economic development, marketing, state resources, membership recruitment and retention, and chamber administration.  Participants in the OCCE Chamber Management Institute are chamber executives, staff and board leaders from chambers of commerce throughout the state of Oklahoma.  In addition to formal classroom instruction, networking among attendees is a critical piece of the training.  

“CMI is a valuable educational experience, and we are very excited to have so many graduates this year. The comprehensive curriculum provides the latest strategies and best-practices to both new chamber professionals and industry veterans,” said OCCE’s 2011 Chairwoman, Sue Harris with the Muskogee Chamber. “Graduates of the program are encouraged to use this enhanced knowledge to change and improve chamber programs, activities and events.”

Chamber Profession Honors Shelia O. Lee with Prestigious Award

Statewide Chamber Executives organization recognizes and honors former Lawton Chamber President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Shelia O. Lee, the former Lawton Chamber President/CEO, was honored for her contributions and devotion to excellence in the chamber of commerce profession during the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Meeting at Remington Park this week. 

Shelia started her chamber career in 1996 as a receptionist with the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber.  Throughout the years, she thrived in many roles at the Chamber, including military affairs, membership and tourism with rapid promotion to Chamber Vice President before being named President/CEO in November 2010.  She served the profession with distinction, having served as a board member for The State Chamber of Oklahoma, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce Executive’s Association as well as a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma’s Class XVII.   

“Tonight’s award recognizes a consummate professional in Shelia O. Lee, who served as a mentor to many and friend to all and is deeply missed within the chamber community,” said OCCE’s 2011 Chairwoman, Sue Harris with the Muskogee Chamber. 

Lee was not only an award recipient this week, but it was announced that the Chamber Executive of the Year award will be renamed in her honor.

Governor Fallin Selects Dave Lopez as Secretary of Commerce

January 26, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today announced she has selected Dave Lopez to serve as secretary of commerce.
Lopez is a longtime civic and community leader and currently serves as president of Oklahoma City-based American Fidelity Foundation, a charitable foundation that gives grants for economic development, education, human services and the arts.
“I’ve said from day one, my main focus as governor will be to improve our economy and work to create more jobs and opportunities for Oklahomans. The secretary of commerce will play an important role in that process,” Fallin said. “Dave Lopez has been a successful businessman and tremendous civic leader with connections all around the nation. He brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to the job and I’m happy to have him serve in my cabinet. Dave is going to join an experienced and diverse cabinet dedicated to moving the state of Oklahoma forward.”

Chamber Professionals Complete Management Training Program

                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                 November 5, 2010
                                 Contact: Danna Fowble
                                 (405) 235-3669


Chamber Professionals Complete Management Training Program

Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives recognizes spring and fall graduates

Oklahoma City--The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Association (OCCE) recognized 19 chamber professionals from across the state for successfully completing the Chamber Management Institute (CMI) program at the organization’s annual meeting in Oklahoma City this week.

The classes provided insight into critical management issues such as program development, finance, economic development, marketing, state resources, membership recruitment and retention, and chamber administration.

Choctaw Chamber President Selected for OCCE Leadership Award

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    November 5, 2010
    Contact: Danna Fowble     405-235-3669


Choctaw Chamber President Selected for OCCE Leadership Award
Statewide Chamber Executives organization recognizes Tracy Mosley for her chamber leadership


Oklahoma City- The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives honored Tracy Mosley, Executive Director of the Choctaw Chamber of Commerce, with the 2010 Executive Leadership Award this week.
Mosley received this award at the organization’s annual meeting Nov 3-5 in Oklahoma City. The Executive Leadership Award recognizes exceptional accomplishments of chamber professionals who have been in a paid chamber leadership role for three years or less.

OCCE Names Mike Neal Executive of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    November 5, 2010
    Contact: Danna Fowble
    405-235-3669


OCCE Names Mike Neal Executive of the Year

Statewide Chamber Executives organization recognizes Tulsa Metro Chamber President


Oklahoma City- The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives named Tulsa Metro Chamber President Mike Neal the 2010 Executive of the Year at their annual meeting this week.
Neal, CCE, CCD, was recognized with this distinguished honor because of his leadership not only at the Tulsa Metro Chamber, but also statewide.

Pauls Valley Chamber Says No to State Question

Pauls Valley, OK, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
September 27, 2010
Chamber says no to state question
Barry Porterfield
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat

Pauls Valley, Oklahoma — Board members of the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce have said no to one state question and could take a position on a controversial liquor by the drink measure on the Garvin County ballot during an election in just a few weeks.

This week a total of 13 local chamber board members voted to join an organized campaign that opposes State Question 744 — a measure that if passed would require Oklahoma to minimally fund K-12 education at an amount equal to the six-state regional average.

Voters will decide the issue and 10 other state questions during a general election on Nov. 2.

Chamber board members here got a jump on the election when they voted this week to oppose the question.

Board chairman Brent Thompson said the group naturally supports education in the state but believes this state question in its current form is not the way to provide that needed help for our public schools.

“Everyone agreed we have to spend more on education and our children,” Thompson said.

“There are a lot of people who want to support education, but this is not the right vehicle. We looked at research both for and against 744. The big flaw we saw was the lack of funding. How is the state question going to be funded assuming there’s no increase in revenue,” he said.