“Recovering Leadership”
Thomas Hill III is chief executive officer of Kimray, Inc. As the grandson of Kimray’s founder, Garman Kimmell, Thomas grew up around the family business and manages the family-owned company with a sense of stewardship and heritage.
In 1948, Kimray revolutionized pressure regulation in the oil and gas industry by introducing a three-inch pilot-operated back pressure regulator. The company has since grown to be a globally-known manufacturer of a comprehensive line of reliable, smart, and inventive American-made control equipment for safely and efficiently producing oil and gas. Having worked in virtually every department, Thomas has an intimate knowledge of the processes and people involved from start to finish.
Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University. He and his wife have been married for over 30 years and have six children. When he is not doing something with his family, working at Kimray, or sharing his story with others, you will find Thomas reading and writing, collecting LAMY fountain pens, and learning something about everything.
Thomas grew up in a high-performing family, which shaped his belief that people are worth what they can accomplish. This sent Thomas on a long and unfulfilling journey of pursuing success by constantly doing bigger and better things. Life eventually spun out of control, and Thomas hit rock bottom. Unfortunately, this meant Kimray hit rock bottom at the same time.
Thomas’s story does not end there. Through significant pain and loss, he began the long and difficult road of recovery that transformed his life and leadership. Today, Thomas enjoys sharing his story with others who can benefit from the lessons he has learned. He is committed to carrying the message of Recovering Leadership to other “addict leaders” and practicing these principles in his personal life.
Marty Hepp was Born in Oklahoma City but raised in Fairview located in Northwest Oklahoma. He graduated from Fairview High School in 1979 and went to the University of Oklahoma where he graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.
He went to work at Cobb Engineering Company in Oklahoma City as an Engineering Intern. He has served as president of the company since 1991 and became managing partner in 1997. He bought the remainder of the company from the founder and long- time rotarian, Jim Cobb in 2012 and now the company is known as CEC Infrastructure Solutions. He has grown the company to 200 employees with offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Duncan, and Dallas. The company provides comprehensive design and construction management services for roads, bridges, utilities, facilities, and airports. His clients include ODOT, OTA, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, OGE, and many more government and private clients. The company is currently considered the largest Oklahoma Based Company in the state. Mr. Hepp has aspirations of growing the company to become a regional engineering company.
He has developed a strong faith-based culture and the company operates according to Biblical principles.
He has served as Chairman of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oklahoma and a local board member of the Signatry, a Christian based directed fund. He is also active on the leadership team of the Christian Business Men’s Connection in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Hepp has been married to his wife, Donna 35 years and they have two daughters Alisha Bloom and Kristi Hepp and four grand children. They live in the Deer Creek area where they enjoy cycling and traveling together. In addition to running and growing CEC Marty enjoys cycling, restoring cars, and spends most early mornings making disciples for Christ our Lord.