Tom Evans named chair of Leadership of Oklahoma Board of Directors
Leadership Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s preeminent educational organization for business, community, government, and non-profit leaders to learn more about our great state, recently announced the election of Tom Evans as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Evans, who joined the Leadership Oklahoma board in 2015, succeeds Lana Reynolds, President of Seminole State College, who served as Chairman in 2020 – 2021.
“It has been a great honor to have served as Chairman of the Leadership Oklahoma Board of Directors,” said Reynolds. “I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the past year. It has been a challenge but we’ve remained relevant; designing a robust online education program on the critical issues facing our state; collaborating with other non-profits to reduce costs and expand services; maintaining our membership; honoring individuals and organizations for their efforts to help Oklahomans; delivering a comprehensive youth program designed to inspire hope, pride and responsibility for the future of Oklahoma; and much more. I am excited about our future and in Tom’s leadership as we continue to grow and expand our impact.”
Tom Evans is owner of Encompass Financial Services, Inc. and is a registered investment advisor, certified general appraiser and a commercial real estate broker. He has a business degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Marylhurst University. He is married to Dr. Cheryl Evans, president emeritus of Northern Oklahoma College. They have two daughters, Cara and Christa, and grandchildren Charlie and Caroline.
“I am deeply honored to have been elected as the Chairman of the Leadership Oklahoma’s Board of Directors,” said Evans. “Leadership Oklahoma is dedicated to identifying leaders of all ages and inspiring them to dream, learn and accomplish more to enhance the quality of life in our state. I look forward to leveraging our network of members – along with our team – to shape our state’s future with their commitment to developing and promoting Oklahoma’s strengths. I also look forward to working closely with our experienced and passionate Board of Directors.”
The board of directors is representative of that membership and has the energy and vision to continue the goal of creating a dynamic network of leaders to shape Oklahoma’s future and to fulfill Leadership Oklahoma’s vision of Oklahoma leaders making Oklahoma the leader.
Board members elected to the executive committee for the upcoming year include: Vice Chair/Chair-Elect/Chair-Administration, Phil Kaiser, Tulsa; Secretary/Treasurer/Chair-Finance Committee, Mindy Mahaney, Tulsa; Chair-Adult Program Committee, Ginny Bass Carl, Oklahoma City; Chair-Development Committee, Stephanie Cameron, Tulsa; Chair-Marketing/PR Committee, Becky Samples, Norman; Chair-Membership Committee, Kathy B. Monroe, Lawton; Chair – Youth Program Committee, Jason Hawkins, Oklahoma City; and Immediate Past Chair/ Chair – Nominating Committee, Lana Reynolds, Seminole.
At-large members of the 2021 – 2022 executive committee are: Kerry Alexander (Membership Chair-Elect), Oklahoma City; Sammye Cravens, Oklahoma City; Moises Echeverria, Tulsa; Melissa Hall, Stillwater; Kyle Hughbanks (Youth Chair-Elect), Alva; Martie Oyler, Enid; Susan Paddack, Ada; Lyle Roggow, Duncan; and Laurie Tilley (Adult Chair-Elect), Tulsa.
Members of the 2021 – 2022 board of directors are Chris Benge, Tulsa; Dan Boren, Edmond; Matt Brown, Nichols Hills; Susan Crenshaw, Tulsa; Jennifer Ellis, Medicine Park; Cody Holcomb, Ada; Alexa Humphries, Woodward; Rachel Hutchings, Skiatook; Farooq Karim, Norman; Mary Jenkins, Oklahoma City; Thomas Lewis II; Oklahoma City; Terron Liles, Ponca City; Marcie Mack, Enid; Dwayne Martin, Altus; Ken Miller, Oklahoma City; Mike Mitchell, Fitzhugh; Dan Molina, Oklahoma City; Kelli Mosteller, Shawnee; J.T. Petherick, Oklahoma City; Jamie Polk, Oklahoma City; Jordan Shearer, Laverne; Ronna Vanderslice, Lawton; David Wagner, Bixby; and Kevin Wallace, Wellston.
Advisory board members elected to serve a one-year term are Chris Anoatubby, Ada; G.T. Bynum, Tulsa; Dakota Cole, Ada; Deano Cox, Moore; Shane Fernandez, Tulsa; Tiffini Jackson, Oklahoma City; Hannibal Johnson, Tulsa; Michelle Hardesty, Tulsa; Kim Henry, Edmond; Jason Kirksey, Stillwater; Jessica Pfau, Ardmore; Lindy Ritz, Norman; and Tim Rodriguez, Blackwell.
Dr. Marion Paden, Oklahoma City, serves as the president and CEO of Leadership Oklahoma.
About Leadership Oklahoma
Thirty-five years ago, our founders realized the need for a statewide organization dedicated to the development of informed leaders. They established Leadership Oklahoma with the vision of bringing leaders from around Oklahoma together and expanding their knowledge about critical issues in our state. Since the first program was launched in 1986, nearly 1700 adult class program participants from 190 communities and almost 1100 youth class members from 254 high schools have explored Oklahoma’s most pressing issues.
Today, there are Leadership Oklahoma members in every part of the state. They represent a diverse range of industries, communities, cultures, leadership roles, individual perspectives, and personal experiences. Rather than focusing on their differences, program graduates share a desire to improve the quality of life in our state. By connecting leaders and expanding their knowledge of Oklahoma’s key issues, participants leave our programs passionate about inspiring change and committed to making a difference in the future of our state.
In addition, the personal and professional relationships fostered in program sessions lay the groundwork for lasting partnerships and collaboration across communities and individuals statewide. To learn more, please visit www.leadershipoklahoma.com.