8-6-2024
Wendy Elliott
Born in Tyler, Texas, Wendy attended Texas Tech University where she earned her bachelor’s in social work and her master’s in public administration. Wendy also met her husband while in college, Stuart, who is from Kansas and graduated from OU. They relocated to the Kansas City area following graduation and moved to Oklahoma City in 2014 to be closer to family.
Community and volunteer minded, Wendy has served as a trainer on the national stage with various nonprofit organizations such as Volunteer Centers and Boys and Girls Clubs. She is a member of the Altar Society at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and serves as a mentor for OKC Latino Young Professionals.
Most days, you’ll find Wendy at the gym with her 17-year-old. Her favorite activities include volunteering, spending time with her family, and reading in her free time.
Rotarian sponsors Sarah Roberts, Farooq Karim, and Mary Blankenship Pointer
Mallory O’Neill is Director of Marketing with Johnson & Associates.
Born in Oklahoma, she grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Madison, Wisconsin. She returned to Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma State University to continue her family legacy of graduating from OSU where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting in public relations. She moved to Oklahoma City following graduation and has been here since falling in love with the community.
Active in the community, Mallory currently is a ULI Oklahoma Member, City Care Odyssey Project Committee Member, and SMPS Member. She’s a graduate of LOYAL Class 10 and was recognized by OKC Biz Magazine as a Forty Under 40 recipient.
Mallory loves to spend time with her family and friends and her 16-month-old Lee is her greatest joy! She is passionate about Oklahoma City and supporting organizations and causes that provide homeless services to people in need. She also happens to love all OSU sports.
Rotarian sponsors Staci Sanger, Jane Jenkins and DeShawn Heusel
Nader Tavangar
Born in Oklahoma City, he spent his formative years back and forth between Oklahoma and California. By early adulthood, he joined Ackerman McQueen as a driver and worked his way through the ranks for the next 24 years, leading relationships with their most important clients in London and Washington, D.C before joining Prairie Surf.
Nader is a member of the board of advisors for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, member of the OK State chamber, and an active volunteer with St. John the Baptist Church and Freedom City. He’s previously served on the boards of Heritage Hall and Youth for Tomorrow.
Nader’s hobbies include planning and traveling the world with his family. They are also a very physically active family. Both of his girls play competitive tennis, and you can find him and his wife at their local cross fit gym every morning at 6 am – likely to counteract his love of tacos that he says he could eat every day of the year. Nader revealed his now not-so-secret desire is that he’s always wanted to voice act an animated series.
Rotarian sponsors Jake Yunker, Lance McDaniel, and Dawn Byram
Brad Willis is Vice President and Business Development Officer with First Fidelity Bank.
Born in Kansas City, he grew up moving across the U.S. to Connecticut, Washington D.C., Illinois and California before moving back to Kansas City. He earned his bachelor’s at Pittsburg State University in finance before moving to Oklahoma City via a corporate transfer. He credits that as one of the best decisions he and his wife made for their family.
Brad stays active serving the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber on their Board of Advisors and also serves on the board of advisors for the Edmond Chamber.
Being a grandpa, or “Papa B”, is his new hobby, passion, and love. He and his wife, Dotty, love the outdoors and you can find them participating in most any sport but definitely hiking, fishing, and golfing.
Rotarian sponsors Lee Symcox, Melissa Pepper, and Meg Salyer
Bryce Johnson is Owner and CEO of Trinity Builds.
Born in Oklahoma City and raised on a farm in West OKC, he is a proud 5th generation Oklahoman. In fact, his family settled in Canadian County in the land run of 1889. Through the course of Bryce’s career, he’s continued his education and obtained certificates for Design-Build Institute of America and Certified Construction Manager before beginning his faith-based construction management firm in 2020.
Bryce serves on the CBMC PEER Advisory Board, the Oklahoma Children’s Health Foundation Advisory Board, is a member of the Association of General Contractors, and a member of the Discovery Church Yukon Leadership Council.
A lover of everything outdoors, Bryce loves to fly-fish, boat with his wife and three daughters, go quail hunting, and skeet shooting.
Rotarian sponsors Clay Cockrill, John Semtner, and Farooq Karim
Austin Klososky is Executive Director of Oklahoma Children’s Theatre.
Originally from Ponca City, he spent time growing up in several cities across Oklahoma before earning his Bachelor of Science in education from The University of Central Oklahoma. He settled in Oklahoma City in 2010 and calls the historic Gatewood neighborhood home.
Austin is a graduate of LOYAL Class 16, serves on the alumni board for Leadership Oklahoma City, and is a current member for Theatre for Young Audiences. A passionate supporter of SISU Youth Services, he has formerly served long stints as Treasurer on his Neighborhood Association Board and for the Windsor Area Business Group.
Austin is passionate about making Oklahoma City a welcoming place for all and strives to ensure that every child who comes through the door at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre feels respected and seen. Austin’s husband, AJ Stegall, is a professional photographer and together, they enjoy traveling and spending time with their two dogs and cat.
Rotarian sponsors Emily Taylor, Jerrod Shouse, and Michelle Morrow
Miguel Mireles is Executive Director and CEO for the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, college took him to West Texas A&M University before beginning his career. His long tenure with the Boy Scouts of America would take him to Louisville, Kentucky for almost a decade before relocating to Oklahoma to work for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Miguel is a member of the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Board, member of the Governor’s Hispanic Coalition, former member of the South Amarillo Kiwanis Club, former Dumas, Texas Lions Club, former board member for Restorative Justic Louisville, and was a commissioner for the City of Louisville Human Relations Commission. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 40 Hispanic Leaders in Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma Hispanic Institute.
Some of Miguel’s favorite hobbies include sporting clay shooting, outdoor cooking & smoking meats, and is a blues enthusiast.
Rotarian sponsors Patrick Raglow, Chip Carter, and Brooke Haneborg
Lynann Sterk-Brooks is Regional Vice-President of Philanthropy at SSM Health St. Anthony Foundation.
Born in Wisconsin, her family moved to Norman when she was just two years old. College would take her to Oklahoma Baptist University where she earned her bachelor’s in English education before moving out of state to begin her career. Lynann returned in 2005 to be close to family and worked for The University of Oklahoma where she met her husband, Brandon Brooks.
Active in the community, Lynann is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City class 39, graduate of Leadership Norman, a recipient of the Norman NEXT Under 40 award, and is a former board member for Norman Public Schools Foundation, Norman Chamber of commerce, and 2020 Women on Boards Oklahoma Advisory Board.
Lynann loves to travel, spend time at the lake with her family, entertain with her husband’s excellent cooking, take long walks with her dog, and solve the world’s issues with friends.
Rotarian sponsors Sherry Rhodes, Kathy Williams, and Anne Holzberlein
Sherry Marshall is John E. Kirkpatrick President and CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma.
Born and raised in the Oklahoma City Metro, Sherry also spent a significant amount of time growing up in the small town of Tipton, OK. College took her to Oklahoma State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in physics. It was after moving to Texas for work she came to appreciate how special Oklahoma is and moved back in 1994 and has never looked back.
In addition to her work at SMO, Sherry is a board member for the Oklahoma Museum Association, member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, a Noyce Leadership Fellow, and committee member and judge for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Sherry truly enjoys the wonders of technology and promoting the value found in the “maker movement.” She loves to spend time coding, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Weather nice weekends find her “Jeeping” with her 1978 all-original CJ-7 and find ways to not kill the plants in her care in her vegetable garden.
Rotarian sponsors Peggy Kates, Anne Holzberlein, and Ashley Smith
Brint Montgomery is Administrator of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs State Approving Agency.
Originally from Scottsburg, Indiana, a small town on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, Brint joined the US Airforce at 17 and then the Idaho Army National Guard at 22 when he began college. He’s earned his Bachelor of Philosophy from Northwest Nazarene University, his Master of General Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma, Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Mind from the University of Oklahoma.
Brint is a member of the National Association of State Approving Agencies, member of the American Legion, and an elder at Church of the Nazarene.
Prior to joining the team at ODVA, he served 25 years in the academy as a full professor at Southern Nazarene University where he taught classes in Philosophy and Logic. He still teaches as an adjunct for the university.
Rotarian sponsors John Settle, Paula Settle, and Erin Engelke
Joel Pendarvis is Owner of JP Accounting and Tax Services, PLLC.
Born in Oklahoma City and raised in Spencer, Joel graduated from Northeast High School. After serving eight years in the US Marine Corps, he earned his degree in economics from California State University and a Bachelor of Accounting from The University of Central Oklahoma.
Joel is active with the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County and currently serves as their Board Chair, is an Ambassador for the Oklahoma City Black Chamber, and active with the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, GEAR Up, and the Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce.
Joel and his wife of over 25 years, Nan, live in Norman and are active in their church.
Rotarian sponsors DesJean Jones, Bailey Perkins Wright, and Larry Stein
Julie Blatt is Partner and Chief People Officer at ADG Blatt PC.
Born and raised in Ponca City, she attended Oklahoma State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. While at OSU she met her husband, and they decided to stay in Oklahoma City to remain close to family. Upon graduation, she began her career with Conoco in Oklahoma City and has called the metro home for more than 30 years.
Julie is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class 36, a member of CREW OKC, lector at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and past chair of the STEAM Engine Pre-Engineering advisory board at Meridian Technology.
Julie has a strong passion for providing opportunities for all students in Oklahoma to have access to explore and understand the many opportunities for a career in STEM. She is also a pianist/organist and some of her favorite hobbies include playing golf, sewing, gardening, cheering on the OSU Cowboys and spending time with her family. They are also very excited to welcome their first grandchild this coming January.
Rotarian sponsors Kendra Robben, Michelle Morrow, and Dawn Byram
Kirsten Lindsay is Director of Workforce and Economic Development at Francis Tuttle Technology Center.
Born in a suburb of New York City, her family moved to Tulsa when she was a child to be close to her grandparents. College would take her to Oklahoma State University where she earned her bachelor’s in psychology, and she later earned her MBA from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Following graduation from OSU, she was offered a position in Oklahoma City. While she missed Tulsa terribly then, she loves our city and has called it home for over 30 years.
Kirsten is President of Oklahoma Career Tech Post-Secondary Adult Continuing Education, serves on the board of directors for the Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the UCO MPA Advisory Board.
Kirsten’s husband is a Stillwater firefighter which works out well for her introvert tendencies and allows her to hibernate while he’s on shift. When they’re together, they love to cook, work in the yard, and sample craft beer. They travel as often as possible, although not as much as they’d like, and something as simple as having their kids or friends over for game night is perfect.
Rotarian sponsors Periann Pulliam, Patrick Raglow, and Ed Long
Emma Payne is Partner at Fuller Tubb Bickford Warmington & Panach PLLC.
She was raised by two military service members and until she reached high school, lived in a different state or country every two years. After graduating from the University of Kansas with her Bachelor of Political Science and Bachelor of Spanish, she moved to Oklahoma City to attend Oklahoma City University School of Law where she earned her J.D. When she and her husband moved here, they remarked to each other that they had never met such polite and friendly people and still believe that a decade later.
Emma is very active in the community and some of her roles include member of the Oklahoma County Bar and Oklahoma Bar Associations, is a member of the Federal Bar Association where she also serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Newsletter Committee, board member for the OCU School of Law Alumni Association, Rainbow Fleet Treasurer, and member in the William J. Holloway American Inn of Court.
Emma and her husband live in Belle Isle with their two beloved dogs, Phoggy and Dempsey. Spending time as family is most important to her along with cheering on the Jayhawks and enjoying a lovely bottle of Willamette Valley pinot noir on their backyard patio.
Rotarian sponsors Miles Pringle, Alex Kaiser, and Suzanne Mitchell
Jennifer Wilkinson is Executive Director of Insight School of Oklahoma.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, she earned her bachelors of elementary education from the University of Central Oklahoma, her master’s in guidance and counseling from UCO, and her doctorate in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. Jennifer is also a licensed professional counselor and a national board-certified counselor.
Jennifer has been recognized by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for Outstanding Leadership and Service, received the UCO Outstanding Graduate Award for Guidance and Counseling Department, the Oklahoma School Counselor Association OSCAR Award, and is a member of Beta Sigma Phi.
When not serving the educational community professionally, Jennifer loves to cook, travel, and spend time with her family and friends
Rotarian sponsors Carole Kelley, Jennifer Stevenson, and Valerie Aubert
Ed Pope is Regional Director for Junior Achievement of Oklahoma.
Born in Guam, his mom, brother and sister moved to Oklahoma City in 1982. He remained in Guam but would visit for the summers before moving to Oklahoma City in 2003 with his wife and daughter. Following his move, he earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Ed has been an active volunteer in the community working with organizations such as Bug Brothers, Big Sisters OKC, Infant Crisis Services, HOPE Worldwide, and currently serves as President of his church, OKC Church.
When he’s not working to help prepare students for success, you can find him running around the city, his favorite being around Scissortail Park. He also enjoys serving his church family and spending time with his wife exploring new dining experiences and travelling as often as possible.
Rotarian sponsors Lance McDaniel, Jessica Smith, and Michael Baron
11-26-2024
Michael Romero is President of Argent Trust Oklahoma.
Born in Hawaii, Michael’s father was in civil service attached to the Air Force. Consequently, he spent his youngest years moving frequently. While completing high school in Tacoma, Washington, his church’s pastor was a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. Michael took his encouragement to attend OBU to heart and earned his bachelor’s in finance and management from Oklahoma Baptist University. He went on to OU College of Law where he earned his juris doctor.
Michael is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 40 and serves as a board member for Mercy Health Foundation and ServeNow based in Colorado Springs.
Michael loves to travel and has been to several countries which includes living in England and Germany. Some of his other hobbies including hiking and reading mostly non-fiction related to management, innovation, and theology.
Rotarian sponsors Christopher Lloyd, Terri Cooper, and Stacy McDaniel
Jared Frazier is President and CEO of the Oklahoma City Police Foundation.
Born in Muskogee, he earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice from Ashford University and his MBA from Columbia Southern University. Following his 22 years of honorable service in the United States Coast Guard as an officer, Jared moved to Oklahoma City.
Jared’s commitment to the community extends beyond his professional life where he serves as a board member for CNOW, Inc and serves on the TIF Oversight committee for the City of Edmond.
Jared, his wife Amy, and their beagle Howard are life-long Sooners fans. In addition to spending time with them, some of his favorite activities include golfing, reading, and enjoying the great outdoors whenever possible.
Rotarian sponsors Peggy Kates, Ashley Smith, and Anne Holzberlein
April Gonzalez is Executive Director of Rebuilding Together OKC.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University in Mass Communications and her Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Her professional career took her to Houston, Dallas, and New York City but she always knew she would return home to Oklahoma City. April said, “…there’s no place like home with a family-friendly environment… and living in a city that believes in investing in the quality of life.”
April’s community involvement has spanned many organizations and includes Allied Arts, American Heart Association, Oklahoma City Beautiful, and Partnership for a Drug Free Oklahoma.
April and her husband, David, love to travel and always have an adventure brewing with friends. Their only self-described child is a feral cat, BeeBee, that adopted them many years ago and is now totally domesticated and has them both wrapped around her paw.
Rotarian sponsors Carole Kelley, Claude Drabek, and Jeff Simpsen
Sarah Spinks is the Director of Development and Communications for Last Frontier Council-Scouting America.
Born in Stillwater, she and her family moved to Oklahoma City on her 3rd birthday, and she’s called it home since. She is a proud 3rd generation alumna of Oklahoma State University where she eared her bachelors in hotel and restaurant administration.
A second-generation Rotarian, Sarah attended her first Club 29 Rotary meeting in 1985 to one of the club’s an annual Father-Daughter days. She is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City LOYAL Class 2, past board member of the Leadership Oklahoma City Alumni Association, and a member of Institute for Emerging Leaders Powered by Strata Class 16.
Sarah is dedicated to helping kids achieve their highest potential and believes character development and the arts are key to helping future generations thrive. She is passionate about her circle of friends where she is the joker, cheerleader, and planner of all parties.
Sarah and her fiancé Will enjoy cooking, either for 2 or 20 and spend most weekends at Lake Eufaula or riding their side-by-side in places like Moab, Taylor Park Colorado, or weekend trips to Arkansas.
Rotarian sponsors Ellen Fleming, Tim Strange, and Megan Law
Jennifer Yearous is franchise owner of P3 Cost Analysts.
Originally from Chatsworth, California, she grew up in Oregon before attending Oral Robers University in Tulsa. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in history from ORU and later her master of human relations from the University of Oklahoma. Her family made their way to Oklahoma City in 2015 with a job opportunity for her husband, Joel.
Jennifer’s work in the community has included serving the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors, serving on the board of Cimarron Middle School’s PTO and working with organizations such as the Family Readiness Group with the Oklahoma National Guard and the Laura Dester Shelter.
Jennifer’s passions are her family and travelling. She spends her evenings driving kids to activities and as she described, generally acts as ground control, pilot, and flight attendant all at the same time for them. When not shuttling children or working, she’s busy planning their next travel adventure or a game night with their friends.
Rotarian sponsors Dawn Byram, Brad Willis, and Carrie Blumert
Clotiel Howard is founder and Executive Director of Hope for the Future.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, she is an only child. Her family and OKC’s strong sense of community kept her here which led her to earn her associates degree in paralegal studies and a bachelors in criminal justice from Langston University.
Clotiel is an active member of Fairview Baptist Church and serves their women’s ministry. Member of the supervised visitation network, and serves as an advisory board member at Langston University.
Clotiel’s deepest passion is fostering hope, healing, and brighter futures for the families they serve at Hope for the Future. Outside of her mission, she enjoys playing pickleball, taking walks, abstract painting, reading, and meditating on the word. She and her husband, Tony are blessed with two wonderful daughters, two grandchildren, and a loving dog.
Rotarian sponsors Franci Hart, Kevin Gordan and Sherry Fair
Michael McClintock is Partner at Spencer Fane.
Born in Billings, Montana, Michael graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy with his bachelors in transportation before attending the Naval War College’s Surface Warfare Officer’s School. While on active duty in the Navy, he met his wife, Niki, who was from Oklahoma. Following active duty, they moved to Oklahoma for him to complete his juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law and they’ve been here since.
In addition to Michael’s professional service, he serves the Wes Welker Foundation, serves as General Counselor and board advisor for Restore OKC, and active at City Presbyterian Church.
His hobbies include golf, tennis – which includes having played Andre Agassi four times back in the day – skiing, hunting and fishing, and occasionally, a triathlon.
Rotarian sponsors Suzanne Mitchell, Heather Coyle, and Todd Lecthenberger
Lisa McConnell is Associate Professor of Business at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City.
Born in Kansas, Lisa and her family moved to Alaska when she was a baby. Her parents were originally from eastern Oklahoma which led her to Oklahoma where she completed her bachelors degree in Business and would go on to earn her MBA from Oklahoma City University. While at OCU, she met her husband and has called Oklahoma City home since.
Active in the community, Lisa is a sustaining member of Junior League of Oklahoma City, mentor for OK Single Parent Scholarship program, founding member of Martha’s Giving Circle, an advisor for a collegiate entrepreneurship organization, and active in the Linwood Place neighborhood association.
Lisa loves building and remodeling homes. She also enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, volunteering, cooking, and gardening.
Rotarian sponsors Ellyn Hefner, Thuan Nguyen, and Kirsten Lindsay
Amy Patrick is a solo practitioner attorney specializing in oil and gas law.
Born and raised in Lawton, Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Oklahoma and her juris doctor from OU’s School of Law. Following completion of her degree, she remained in Oklahoma City to continue her career in private practice law.
Amy serves on the legal committee at Palomar’s Oklahoma City Family Justice center, board member at Friends of the Metropolitan Library system, board member at OU Children’s Hospital volunteers, member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, and event planning committee with the Oklahoma City Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club.
A fifth generation Oklahoman, Amy and her husband, Brandon have two goldendoodles. Some of her hobbies include painting, reading, traveling with friends, and practicing yoga. She regularly volunteers her legal services to represent victims of domestic violence and stalking in Oklahoma County
Rotarian sponsors Jordan Gould, Suzanne Mitchell, and Jill Farrand
AJ Stegall is Owner of AJ Stegall Photography.
Born and raised in Cordell, Oklahoma, he earned his degree in music education and performance at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and earned his Masters of Horn performance at Bowling Green State University. After meeting his husband, and fellow Club 29 member Austin Klososky, he moved to Oklahoma City. Following 10 years in education, he left the classroom to take his photography classroom fulltime.
AJ is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 41, served on the Second Century Board of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, currently performs with the OKC Horn Club, and is founder of the Oklahoma Rainbow Collective.
Through his professional photography interests, he’s recently taken up film photography as a hobby and is also an avid fan of travel and travel photography. Interesting tidbit, he was a band member in both the Oklahoma and Ohio Army National Guard Bands for 6 years.
Rotarian sponsors Michelle Morrow, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Romero, and Peggy Kates
Brad Mardis is Business Advisor with Rise Concepts.
Born in Woodward, Oklahoma, Brad grew up in Stillwater where he graduated from Stillwater High School. After a short stay in Colorado Springs, he returned to Oklahoma and attended the University of Central Oklahoma where he earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts.
Brad’s work in the community includes serving as an Edmond Chamber Ambassador, Greater OKC Asian Chamber Ambassador, OKC Dream Center Board Member, On Call Project Board Member and member of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy Board.
He and his wife Angie share a love for the outdoors, shooting sports, camping and leading with purpose through Scouting America where they serve as committee members and mentors. Brad and his wife have three teenage boys and as a family, they attend Life Church.
Rotarian sponsors Aaron Curry, Jennifer Yearous, and Joe Dorman
Dr. Jack Test is a nephrologist with Midtown Renal Care.
As he said, “his origin lies not in the middle of nowhere, but in the middle of the Oklahoma Panhandle – you can see nowhere from there.” He earned a bachelor’s of science and bachelor of business administration from Panhandle State University before moving to Oklahoma City to work as a business analyst and volunteer with political campaigns while applying for medical school. Along the way, he met his wife, Juliann.
He did get in fact get into medical school and graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, spent a year of residency in Midland-Odessa for general surgery, then to moved to Tulsa where he spent three years on his internal medicine residency including a year as chief resident, one year as a hospitalist, and two years of nephrology fellowship before returning to Oklahoma City.
Jack has volunteered with Oklahoma American Legion Boys State for 20 years since he attended, assists with projects at Pepper’s Ranch Foster Care Community with his wife who serves on their board, and is soon to start volunteering at Crossing Community Clinic.
His current hobbies are his two kids’ hobbies and helps coach where he can. If he could be a professional DIY’er, he would, and his next major project will hopefully be restoring his late grandfather’s 1951 Cadillac Series 62 convertible.
Rotarian sponsors Tim Strange, Thomas Lewis, and Camal Pennington
Patrick Duffy is Superintendent of John Rex Charter School.
Born and raised in Moore, Patrick has spent most of his life living and working in the Oklahoma City metro. Patrick earned his bachelor of business administration from The University of Oklahoma, his bachelor of elementary education from The University of Central Oklahoma, and his Masters in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University.
Patrick currently serves as the vice-president of the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association, is a community advisor for the West Village District, a former Lions Club member, and a graduate of the Washita Vallery Leadership Program.
Some of Patrick’s favorite activities include amusement parks, bowling, softball, and the theater. In his words, he also enjoys beating his kids at putt-putt golf and spending time with his friends and family at the lake. Patrick also has a flair for the adventurous and has been skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff diving, and has ridden a bull.
Rotarian sponsors Pam Campbell, Andy Rine, and Amanda Harding
Amy Spring is Partner and Producer with CPC Insurance.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, she had a brief stint living and working in Tulsa but has not strayed far outside of her bubble from where she grew up, went to school and currently works! Following high school at Bishop McGuiness, she went on to The University of Oklahoma where she earned her bachelors degree in marketing.
Very active in the community both professionally and civically, Amy is a member of National Association of Benefit Professionals, LeadHer Board, MyNetwork for Women Insurance Professionals, a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, chairman/fundraiser of Friends of St. Nina’s Monastery and Camp St. Lakovos planner, past president of OKC Beautiful, and Lake Aluma Ladies of the Lake Treasurer and their former Town Mayor.
Amy is passionate about adoption, breast cancer awareness, and wellness and healthcare advocacy. She was adopted, has adopted boy/girl Native American twins from a birthmother who was also adopted. She channeled her adoption saga into writing a book and has lobbied to have an adoption law changed in Oklahoma. She and her husband Roger are now happily empty nesting. Amy enjoys hiking, watercolor & egg tempra painting, learning Greek, and visiting monasteries around the world.
Rotarian sponsors Brooke Haneborg, Meg Salyer, and Marion Paden
Betty Jane Garrett is Executive Director of Enrollment & Communications for Casady School.
The youngest of five kids by 13 years, she was born in Michigan where her parents and four older siblings grew up. As she was beginning first grade, her father sold his Canteen Vending and Food Service business and acquired an existing Canteen in Oklahoma City.
As Betty Jane says, she was a “lifer” at Casady School herself before matriculating at Southern Methodist University where she earned her bachelors in print journalism.
In her family, there was a commitment to service and volunteering and some of her current efforts include serving as a CASE District IV Independent Schools Liaison and also as a sustainer with Junior League of Oklahoma City.
A runner for many years, Betty Jane has a strong love for fitness. Following back surgery last year, she’s adjusted to new routines to expand her physical health. She also grew up with parents who loved the arts, both visual and performing and that has carried with her.
Finally, Betty Jane is joining a long line of Rotarian legacies with Club 29 including her father, Ted Harvey, who was a member for many years, and is a 4th generation “Garrett” Rotarian joining her father-in-law and past Club 29 president and District 5750 Governor, Steve Garrett, his father, Judge James P. Garrett, and his grandfather, Judge Wilkins Garrett.
Rotarian sponsors Ellen Fleming, Robert Clements, Lance McDaniel, David Cottrell, Chip Oppenheim, and Chuck Wiggin
Tom O’Keefe is Oklahoma Market President for INTRUST Bank.
Born in Boston, he grew up in Quincy and Norton, Massachusetts. While attending Northeastern University in Boston, he took a sabbatical to visit his best friend who moved to Oklahoma with his parents. His friend picked him up at the airport and told him right then that he was going to introduce him to the girl he was going to marry. Three hours later they were playing cards at her house. Since it was New Year’s Eve 1981, she took him to meet her father at the Edmond Elks and teach him how to two-step. That was 43 years ago. What a meet-cute!! He transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma where he received his bachelor’s in finance.
Tom is very active in the community and serves on the Advisory Board of Greater OKC Chamber, Advisory Board of Edmond Chamber, is a member of Oklahoma Business Roundtable, a member of the Oklahoma Petroleum Alliance, and finance Committee Member of Oklahoma Business Roundtable.
When speaking of his hobbies and interests, Tom likes to start with he is an Eagle Scout which has been an anchor for how he lives his life. He enjoys working out with his son, Joshua, daily, walking wit his wife, Stephanie, reading and studying the Bible, writing devotions, enjoying all outdoor sports, and mentoring the next generation. His number one thing is spending time with his five grandchildren all under three.
Rotarian sponsors Joel Alberts, Paul Moore, Suzanne Mitchell, and Manisone Hubbard
Matt Watson is a Cybersecurity Consultant with Guernsey.
Born in Norman, Oklahoma he was adopted as a baby and grew up in Tuttle. He attended USAO in Chickasha where he earned his bachelor’s in economics. He then attended Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service where he earned his master’s in public administration before serving six years in the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer. He returned home with his family following his service.
In addition to his professional life, Matt is broadening his civic efforts and comes to us as a transferring Rotarian from the Norman Cross Timbers Rotary Club.
As the 30th anniversary just occurred, Matt shared his father worked at the Murrah Federal building where he attended daycare, but they were thankfully not there that fateful day. Matt’s favorite hobbies include reading and spending time with his wife, Megan, and their two sons, Liam and Owen.
Rotarian sponsors Brooke Haneborg, Sarah Barrow, and Melanie Stillinger
Forrest Wilson is Oklahoma Business Unit Leader with JE Dunn Construction.
Born in Houston, Texas he earned his degree in Concrete Industry Management at Middle Tennessee State University and his MBA at Auburn University. He started his career with JE Dunn as an intern in Nashville, Tennessee. After traveling around the southeast for several years, he moved to Austin, Texas for a JE Dunn project where he stayed for 12 years before accepting the opportunity to lead the Oklahoma Market in 2024.
While new to the Oklahoma City community, some of Forrest’s past service activities include the American Heart Association and the Heart Ball in Austin.
Forrest loves spending time with his wife who recently accepted a position with the Integris Health Foundation and their three daughters under the age of 10 – Lydia, Gwen, and Elaine. Their daughters keep them busy with school, volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics. Forrest loves being on the lake as a family and is currently searching for “their lake” in Oklahoma. If there is any time left, he personally enjoys hunting, fishing, and good with glass of bourbon paired with an even better conversation with a friend.
Rotarian sponsors Dawn Byram, Dwight Lawson, and Andy Rine