These moments made possible by
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MICROPHONES CATTLE TRAILERS
HOCKEY STICKS
GUITAR STRINGS
CELLPHONES
CELLPHONES
Thousands of everyday products that help us live life to the fullest are made possible by the energy industry. From microphones and cellphones to pyrotechnics and plastic cups, H&P helps power the moments we celebrate and the connections that make life feel bigger.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS IN TULSA
TULSA REGIONAL NEWS
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6 SIZING UP THE WORKPLACE
HOTEL GUEST TAX
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FIVE COMPANIES RECOGNIZED AT TULSA SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
STATE OF THE STATE SHOWCASES 2026 GUBERNATORIAL RACE
13 A VISIT WITH REGIONAL TOURISM
20 ONE-ON-ONEVOICE
22 2026 REGIONAL PRIORITIES TURNED INTO ACTION
ON THE COVER:
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City of Tulsa residents will vote on Nov. 3 whether to bring the municipality’s hotel guest tax in line with U.S. cities of similar size. See story on page 6.
NEW MEMBERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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THE CHAMBER REPORT IS PUBLISHED BY THE TULSA REGIONAL CHAMBER EDITOR Tim Chambers Senior Vice President of Communications, Creative Services & Events PUBLICATION AND DESIGN Bryan Campbell Director of Creative Services Taylor White Senior Graphic Designer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rhett Morgan Director of Communications
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Apex Marketing
Althea Norman Communications Manager
Neek Films
Jonathan Huskey Senior Director of Communications Tulsa Regional Tourism
Mike Creef
Rip Stell Patrick Quiring
Tulsa Regional News keeps you informed on the latest business and community happenings from across the city and around the region. by Althea Norman, Communications Manager for the Tulsa Regional Chamber
EMERGING INDUSTRIES THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S STATE OF WORKFORCE AND TALENT
In mid-July, about 400 attended the Chamber’s annual State of Workforce and Talent, which featured two panel discussions that focused on how emerging industries are shaping employers and the workforce. Of note, local cyber expert David Keely said that “the number one loss leader for U.S. businesses is now cybersecurity... If you’re a small business in Oklahoma and you’re a victim of a malware attack, there’s a 60 percent chance that you will be bankrupt inside 12 months.”
FINAL WOMEN’S PROGRAMMING SERIES EVENT OF 2026 IS ALSO BEST-ATTENDED
In late September, hundreds filled The Mayo Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom for the third and final 2026 event in the Chamber’s Women’s Programming Series, a member-exclusive event to connect, inspire and champion women across our region. The featured speaker was Lauren Sweeney, a master coach and trainer at Rise Up For You.
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TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMBARKING ON EXPANSION
In late July, Tulsa Community College announced that it would embark on a $57 million upgrade of its Metro Campus, including modernizing the academic environment and creating a seamless transition between the buildings that encompass the campus. TCC, which boasts a 22,000-student enrollment, planned to dedicate $27 million specifically to address the needs of the Student Union, a more than 100-year-old structure that will become the hub of student life at Metro Campus.
TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRES NEW CHIEF
In mid-August, the Tulsa Police Department announced 30-year TPD veteran Jonathan Brooks as the city’s 42nd police chief. He replaced Dennis Larsen, who on Sept. 30 retired after more than 47 years in the department. “I want the people of Tulsa to know something that’s very simple: your safety will be our priority,” Brooks said at a news conference before a standing-room-only crowd in a city hall boardroom.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA ANNOUNCES ANNUAL TUITION AND FEE CUT
In mid-August, The University of Tulsa announced that it would cut its annual tuition and fees from $54,000 to $25,000 beginning in fall 2027. “This move makes The University of Tulsa the most affordable private research university in America’s heartland,” UTulsa President Dr. Stacy Leeds said. “We want Tulsa’s best and brightest to have no barriers to accessing excellence right here in their backyard. And we want more students from around the nation and the world to move to Tulsa to study here, to live here and to work here, so that they can take advantage of this great city.”
TYPROS GRANTS ‘ALL ACCESS’ TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
In early September, nearly 100 young professionals attended TYPROS All Access, which grouped established community leaders with emerging leaders. Young professionals rotated among 12 tables throughout the vertical networking experience, allowing them to hear from the perspectives of small business owners, CEOs and other area leaders. Tracy Copeland, founder and CEO of TGI Enterprises, Inc., said, “I thought it was fantastic. Everyone came with such great questions. They articulated themselves so well. I just really appreciated that and felt like it was really engaging to hear what they were interested in.” n
WANT MORE TULSA REGIONAL NEWS?
An initiative 40 years in the making will be on the ballot Nov. 3 when Tulsans vote on a proposed increase to the city’s hotel guest tax. Last raised in the mid-1980s, the hotel guest tax is assessed on stays in hotels and short-term rentals in the city limits. The revenue generated goes to fund maintenance and renovations of venues such as the BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center, as well as to support tourism sales and marketing efforts. Currently, the rate is 5 percent. The proposal would raise it to 9.9 percent, bringing Tulsa’s guest tax rate in line with other U.S. cities of similar size. Oklahoma City, for example, recently raised its guest tax to 9.25 percent, the same rate as Midwest City. Norman’s is 10 percent, and Enid’s is 12 percent. “That means other cities are collecting and spending millions of dollars more each year to invest in entertainment venues and attract events and conferences that Tulsa is competing for,” Brian Paschal, CEO of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation and Tulsa Regional Tourism chair, said at tourism’s annual meeting in September. “Tourism is economic development, and it’s critical that we don’t lose ground to other communities.” Tourism is the third-largest industry in the state of Oklahoma and integral to the health of Tulsa’s economy. In 2023, visitors spent an average of $3.9 million per day in Tulsa, generating an estimated $161 million in state and local taxes, which help pay for public services, police, fire and infrastructure in the city.
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Estimated Annual Revenue
Tulsa Jobs Supported by Tourism
Spent by Tulsa Visitors Each Year
Ballot measure scheduled Nov. 3 aimed at getting Tulsa up to speed on visitor spending by Jonathan Huskey, Senior Communications Director for Tulsa Regional Tourism
Put another way, visitor spending reduces the tax burden on Tulsa households by an estimated $939 per year. “The hotel guest tax is paid by visitors, and it helps us maintain and improve the great facilities we all enjoy, while also telling Tulsa’s story around the world,” Paschal said. A public education and advocacy campaign was rolled out in mid-September, including earned media, advertising and more outreach aimed at answering questions that may arise around the issue. A dedicated website (HotelGuestTax.com) also features an extensive “Frequently Asked Questions” section and instructions on how to support the effort. It is worth reinforcing that the hotel guest tax is not a new tax; it has been around for decades. Also, it is not a tax on Tulsans. It is only levied on stays in hotels and short-term rentals in the city limits and generates revenue that helps promote meetings and convention sales, sports opportunities and leisure travel. Tulsa is uniquely positioned to capitalize on momentum generated by the Route 66 centennial, but it must act now, Paschal said. “While we haven’t moved forward, other cities have,” he said. “Nearly every large city in Oklahoma has recently increased its hotel guest tax rates.” If approved, the ballot measure will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. n
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Tulsa-based Hogan Assessments brings expertise to evaluations by Rhett Morgan, Director of Communications for the Tulsa Regional Chamber
When it comes to Tulsa-based companies, few are as cosmopolitan as Hogan Assessments. The firm operates in more than 80 countries, and its personality assessments are available in 54 languages and dialects. “I have traveled around the world, and it never ceases to amaze me,” Hogan CEO Allison Howell said. “It’s very humbling to be in like any corner of the world, and someone will say to me, ‘Oh, Hogan. I know Hogan.’ “We’re based in Tulsa, a smaller company with about 150 people or so, with this little presence, and I think to myself, ‘How did we get this notoriety with personality assessments?’” The answer, she said, is hard work.
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“It’s not always the sexiest thing, but it is truly the rigor and the fact that the assessments have been so well validated and the statistics are pretty much untouchable,” she said. “There’s really nothing in the market that can compete with us from that standpoint.” Hogan’s longevity bears that out. Renowned psychologists Drs. Robert and Joyce Hogan founded the company in 1987. Robert earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and taught at Johns Hopkins University before chairing the Department of Psychology at The University of Tulsa, where he was joined by his wife, Joyce. Robert, who serves as president of Hogan Assessments, developed socioanalytic theory and is credited as the first psychologist to successfully demonstrate the concrete link between personality traits and workplace performance. Joyce, who died in 2013, specialized in psychometric validation and fair employment practices. She partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice on high-profile discrimination cases to help expand equitable job opportunities for women in technical and male-dominated fields. “She was really a force but didn’t want the recognition,” Howell said. Hiring the right person is big business. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that a bad hire costs an employer at least 30% of that employee’s first-year expected earnings. When factoring in lost productivity, unrecoverable training costs, offboarding and restarting the recruitment cycle, the Express Employment ProfessionalsHarris Poll pinned the average cost of employee turnover at $45,236 per lost employee. “Every person has some sort of incorrect assumption about their
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Photo: (L) Zsolt Feher, Vice President of Business Development and (R) Allison Howell, CEO of Hogan Assessments
ability to evaluate the person in front of them, and we’re all highly susceptible to bias,” Howell said. “Sometimes, when you have the assessment data in front of you that is challenging what you think you know, that can be a tough sell. “When people are able to say, ‘I could be wrong and I’m going to open myself up to the possibility that my instincts aren’t quite right on this,’ that’s when we can really step in and say that actually, long-term, this is what you’re going to need to focus on.” Hogan shared that more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies use its tools for talent acquisition, hiring and leadership development. “This product does what it promises,” said Zsolt Feher, vice president of business development for Hogan. “It’s never been really a sales-driven organization. It started from academia. It’s really been about showcasing to the world what this product does and making sure it’s getting finetuned all the time.”
“It’s not always the sexiest thing, but it is truly the rigor and the fact that the assessments have been so well validated, and the statistics are pretty much untouchable." - Allison Howell, CEO of Hogan Assessments Photo: Juliette Lloyd, Senior Solutions Designer, works alongside her dog, Hank.
“This is something larger organizations can’t afford to do or they don’t want to do. Therefore, the secret in this business is how reliable the data is that we provide to the customers. For companies who would like to make better decisions, especially when it comes to high-stakes leadership or board-level decisions, they know they have to come to us.” When The Chamber Report spoke to Feher, who moved to Tulsa from Hungary, he had just returned from Argentina and was getting ready to head to India. Feher said it’s common for a Hogan employee to be addressing an audience on five or six continents at the same time. “We always focus on translating the products very properly in every language where we are, creating local norms,” he said. “So, it’s not about an American culture or filter. “Many of the other tools in the market, they might translate to Spanish, Chinese, French or the major languages. But we’re not shy to do items in Croatian or Serbian, smaller countries, and they appreciate this. So, that shows the success of the international coverage and the growth of the business.” n
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TULSACHAMBER.COM | THE CHAMBER REPORT
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Frequently referred to as the "front door" to economic development, tourism has a significant impact in our region and throughout Oklahoma. This brief quarterly “visit” with Tulsa Regional Tourism, an initiative of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, aims to spotlight some of our community’s unique, successful and upcoming activities in this exciting industry and how it supports your business and quality of life. VISIT TULSA - LEISURE TRAVEL “It’s So Late, It’s Early” Returns for Season 2 at Tourism Annual Meeting For the second straight year, the Tulsa Ballroom at Arvest Convention Center was transformed into a talk show set for season two of “It’s So Late, It’s Early,” Tulsa Regional Tourism’s Annual Meeting celebrating the 2025-26 fiscal year. More than 300 people packed the ballroom for the breakfast show modeled after the great late-night TV shows of the past. Hosted by Tulsa Regional Tourism Senior Director of Communications Jonathan Huskey, the show featured appearances by Hank Unger of the Araca Group, producer of The Outsiders: A New Musical, Arvest Bank President Kirk Hays, Tulsa Regional Tourism President Renee McKenney and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. The 2025-26 fiscal year was one of unprecedented success for Tulsa and the city’s tourism industry, with the TODAY Show broadcasting live from Guthrie Green, the Outsiders musical kicking off its nationwide tour and Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ mark. SUCCESS BY THE NUMBERS: • Booked definite room nights: 186,625 (Goal: 175,000) • Total estimated economic impact of Tulsa Regional Tourism efforts: $334,339,338 (Goal: $203,500,000) • Film/TV projects assisted: 57
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TULSA CVB - MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS Tulsa preparing for National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange Tulsa will welcome tour operators and travel professionals from all over the world as part of the National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange in November. Travel Exchange is NTA’s flagship event and will provide opportunities to learn, network and experience everything Tulsa has to offer. Coinciding with the Centennial of Route 66, this year’s event will also be the 75th anniversary of NTA’s founding. “This is such a great opportunity for Tulsa,” said Kathleen Borgne, director of sales for the Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau. “NTA’s Travel Exchange is the top-tier travel and tourism conference and is a wonderful chance to show buyers from all over the world that Tulsa is the best place to bring their tour groups.” Travel Exchange is scheduled for Nov. 15-18 at Arvest Convention Center.
TULSA FMAC - CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FILM - The lowdown on The Lowdown, season 2 Sterlin Harjo’s “love letter to Tulsa” is set to return soon to TV screens around the world. Season 2 of the “Tulsa noir” is set to debut on FX on Oct. 14, following the exploits of “Tulsa truthstorian” Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke, after the first season was nearly universally praised by critics. Hawke returns in the same role, as does Tulsa native Jeanne Tripplehorn as Betty Jo Washberg. New this season are Betty Gilpin (GLOW, Death by Lightning) and Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive) in his first scripted television role in nearly 40 years as Lee Raybon Sr., Lee’s estranged father.
MUSIC - Tulsa makes most of Spotlight City nod in Nashville, TN Tulsa was the focus of the 2026 AmericanaFest in Nashville in September, and one of Tulsa’s best up-and-coming artists was honored with some of the industry’s greats. At the Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony on Sept. 16, Tulsa’s Ken Pomeroy was named the “Emerging Act of the Year,” beating fellow nominees Crowe Boys, Boy Golden, Kashus Culpepper and Mon Rovîa. Oklahoma’s Turnpike Troubadours were nominated for Duo/Group of the Year as well. The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture made impressions all over Music City. Tulsa FMAC hosted the Oklahoma Showcase with the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, featuring performances from Kalyn Fay, Casii Stephan, Zoe Cummins and Beau Jennings & The Tigers. Tulsa FMAC then hosted the “Tulsa Official Showcase” with performances from Pomeroy, Fay, Stephan, Ramsey Thornton and Johnny Mullenax. “Because of Tulsa FMAC, I’ve had the opportunity to perform on a variety of stages and share my music with audiences around the country,” Stephan said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my city and Tulsa FMAC.” n 14
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TULSAN of the YEAR
IN C O N V E RS AT I O N W I T H JAMES BE ARD AWARD -WINNING BAKER CAT COX September 2025
January 2025
TAYLOR HANSON and his vision for
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FOOD ON THE MOVE TULSAPEOPLE SEPTEMBER 2025
LOCAL FOOD COMMUNIT Y 7 LONGTIME TULSA RESTAUR ANTS
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COMING IN 2027: VISION TULSA
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FIVE COMPANIES RECOGNIZED AT TULSA SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS Chick-fil-A's Chen named Small Business Person of the Year by Rhett Morgan, Director of Communications for the Tulsa Regional Chamber
Lauded for his leadership skills by the Tulsa Regional Chamber, local Chick-fil-A owner David Chen shared several nuggets of advice Sept. 3 at the Tulsa Small Business Awards. One of them was “commit to being a better boss,” the Chamber’s 2026 Small Business Person of the Year said. “Let (employees) know that they are more than just a number in our business, and they are individuals who have tremendous
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value,” he said. “If you invest in your team, a cared-for team will take care of your guests.” Chen took home the top award at the event, which was held before about 350 people at the Arvest Convention Center. Tom Biolchini, managing director of Vast Bank and 2023 Chamber chair, served as emcee and starred in a cold-open video that spoofed his struggle to become a Tulsa Small Business Award honoree. Others celebrated on Sept. 3 were Inspyral, LLC (Young Entrepreneur); R.K. Black (Family Owned Business); Metal Panels, Inc. (Manufacturer of the Year); and Topeca Coffee (Entrepreneurial Success).
“Small business owners are resilient,” Persley said. “You know how to weather the storm. Small business owners don’t know how to quit. You keep going until you achieve your goals. And thirdly, small business owners are nimble. “You know how to move with the changes of your customers and your market. Small business owners are pretty dynamic people.” The event was presented by Vast Bank. n
2026 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR David Chen - Chick-fil-A
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR Metal Panels Inc.
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR R.K. Black, Inc.
“Give your teams a bigger vision because if you do, they will work with so much purpose.” - David Chen, owner of two Tulsa Chick-fil-A franchises
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Inspyral LLC
ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS AWARD Topeca Coffee
Owner of two Chick-fil-A franchises, Chen has epitomized success. From 2020 to 2024, his eatery at Southroads Shopping Center became the highest-volume franchise location in the state, surpassing $14 million in annual sales. Continually asked about his commercial “secret sauce,” Chen said he has a stock answer. “I always tell them that it’s our people,” he said. “It’s the ability to attract and retain top talent.” It also is imperative to remind employees of what is possible. “Give your teams a bigger vision because if you do,” Chen said, “they will work with so much purpose.” Erran Persley, chief economic development officer for the City of Tulsa, spoke about the impact small businesses make. Small business owners account for nearly 52% of Oklahoma’s workforce, he said, adding that national digital magazine WalletHub rated the state fourth nationally in entrepreneurship in 2026.
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STATE OF THE STATE SHOWCASES 2026 GUBERNATORIAL RACE by Rhett Morgan, Director of Communications for the Tulsa Regional Chamber
The Tulsa Regional Chamber peeled back the policy layers of Oklahoma’s next governor Aug. 13 at its State of the State. Before a record-breaking crowd of more than 1,000 people at the Arvest Convention Center, the event’s gubernatorial forum featured state Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei and Oklahoma House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson.
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Republicans Drummond and Mazzei later competed in an Aug. 25 runoff, with Mazzei advancing to face Munson, a Democrat, in the general election on Nov. 3.
“It’s so critical for us to get this right,” Munson said of childcare support, “to do it as soon as possible to increase opportunities for working Oklahomans.”
Forum moderator Stacy Leeds, president of The University of Tulsa, quizzed the candidates on everything from education and economic development to quality of life and health and human services.
Mazzei outlined his plan to make Oklahoma a zero-income-tax state. He also reiterated his support for a proposed Inola aluminum plant, which Drummond has challenged in state court, saying it will bring a $25 billion economic impact to the state.
Munson stressed investing in public schools, lowering health care costs and increasing subsidies for childcare to enlarge the labor force.
“We can make Oklahoma a no-income-tax state and abolish property taxes for seniors and veterans and still pay all the bills,” said
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Mazzei, who served in the Oklahoma Senate from 2004 to 2016. “We can launch a statewide literacy program and get our kids reading at grade level. “And I will get the 7,500 students off the 29 CareerTech waiting lists because they want a great job and a good career. This plan will launch a wave of growth and opportunity, and I’m so excited and optimistic about the future of Oklahoma…” Drummond, a former prosecutor and fighter pilot who served in the Gulf War, cited his ability to take command. He was a captain in the Air Force and became Attorney General of Oklahoma in 2023. “This race is about leadership,” he said. “This race is about someone who can take the helm of the state, who is proven in the skies of combat, in the courtrooms and boardrooms of Oklahoma, and for the last three and a half years, leading the most significant agency in the state of Oklahoma, breaking the back of organized crime and protecting every household in Oklahoma. That’s serious business, no gimmick, no false promise.” A member of the state House of Representatives since 2015, Munson vowed to work in a bipartisan fashion, a trait lacking in recent governors, she said. “We have to get beyond party affiliation and what we’ve historically done,” she said. “Oklahoma can no longer be under one-party control. We went from 17th in the nation in public education when I graduated high school to 50th in the nation. “We can’t have four or eight more years of the same type of leadership. We need two parties working together coming up with solutions that actually help everyday Oklahomans.” n
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OSAGE NATION PRINCIPAL CHIEF
JOE TILLMAN
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Osage Nation Principal Chief Joe Tillman was inaugurated on July 11, 2026. Chief Tillman is a graduate of Fairfax High School and Oklahoma State University, where he played football from 1978-81. He has worked at his family’s Indian gaming business, Bucknell University and as a partner with Fiducial/Core Business Solutions. Before being elected chief, he served as Division Leader under the administration of then-Osage Principal Chief Johnny Red Eagle. He served in the Osage Nation Congress from 2016 until this year, when he served as speaker, second speaker and various committee chairs.
How will your 10 years on the Osage Nation Congress and working as a partner at a CPA firm influence how you lead as principal chief? My experience in Congress gave me a thorough understanding of Osage Nation government and our Constitution, while my work with the CPA firm taught me the value of accountability and responsible financial management. Those experiences complement one another and shape how I lead today. As Principal Chief, I am committed to protecting our resources, strengthening our financial outlook and ensuring we leave a stronger Nation for future generations. You were among honored attendees at August’s State of the State, where all gubernatorial candidates spoke of the importance of tribal government-state government relations. What can the next governor of Oklahoma do to improve relations between state and tribal governments? If I could offer one piece of advice to the next governor, it would be this: include tribal nations at the table from the very beginning. Strong relationships are built on communication, mutual respect and a recognition that tribal governments are sovereign governments and essential partners in Oklahoma's success. That means engaging tribes not only when discussing our shared history but also when shaping the future of economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, public safety and workforce development. Tribal nations bring tremendous expertise, resources and innovation to these conversations. When state and tribal leaders work together, we can achieve more for all Oklahomans. The next governor has an opportunity to strengthen those partnerships by fostering regular dialogue, seeking collaboration and recognizing tribes as valued partners in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our state.
As Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess mentioned at this year’s Osage inauguration, there are quite a few Osage-OSU ties, from Osage Nation athletics uniform patches to the research partnership with Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. How has this partnership benefited both the nation and the university? The relationship between the Osage Nation and Oklahoma State University is an outstanding example of what institutions can accomplish when they work together toward a shared vision. Our partnership extends across a wide range of areas, including education, athletics, agriculture, food sovereignty, research and aerospace innovation. The Osage Nation patch on OSU uniforms is a visible symbol of that relationship, but it represents something much deeper: a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual success. One of the most exciting areas of partnership is the emerging aerospace and drone industry. As the Osage Nation expands its economic development efforts in advanced technologies, Oklahoma State University, alongside Tulsa Innovation Labs and other partners, has played an important role in helping position our region as a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and aerospace innovation. These efforts create new opportunities for investment, workforce development and high-quality careers. The benefit is truly mutual. Oklahoma State gains a strong tribal partner with a shared commitment to innovation, while the Osage Nation gains access to world-class research, expertise and educational opportunities. Most importantly, these partnerships help create pathways for Osage citizens to build successful careers close to home. My administration is committed to fostering opportunities that allow our people to remain connected to their families, communities, culture and our reservation while contributing to a growing and diversified economy. In your July inaugural address, you said that the Osage Nation faces “serious challenges,” from rising healthcare costs to financial concerns with the nation’s budget. What steps will you take in your first year in office to address these challenges? One of my top priorities in the first year of my administration is ensuring the Osage Nation is on a sustainable financial path. That begins with a comprehensive review of our budget and operations to identify inefficiencies and ensure every dollar is spent wisely, reaches as many Osage citizens as possible and advances our Nation's priorities. As healthcare costs continue to rise and financial pressures grow, we must be disciplined and responsible stewards of our resources. At the same time, I firmly believe that direct assistance programs supporting Osage families, elders, veterans and students are investments in our people and our future. Balancing the budget should not come at their expense. Instead, we must reduce unnecessary expenditures, improve accountability and ensure the government operates as efficiently and effectively as possible. My goal is simple: protect essential services, preserve direct assistance and strengthen the Osage Nation's long-term financial health. n
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The OneVoice process brings business and community leaders across northeast Oklahoma together to shape a clear agenda for change. Throughout August and September, task forces met virtually to define policy positions that reflect regional needs. On Nov. 5 at the OneVoice Regional Legislative Summit, the 2027 OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda will be voted on by hundreds of business and community leaders representing employers and partner organizations, giving the agenda strong credibility in Washington, D.C. and at the State Capitol. The process is transparent, fast and results-driven, making OneVoice the region’s most trusted business-driven policy platform.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT & LEGAL REFORM Chair: Trent Shores, GableGotwals Focus: Government modernization, constitutional reform, judicial proposals, data privacy, artificial intelligence, tax reform, municipal revenue diversification, executive orders and federal rule promulgation. TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE & AEROSPACE Chair: Jerrod Shouse, BNSF Focus: Transportation policy at state and federal levels including streets, highways, transit, bridges, ports, rail and intermodal funding. Additional issues include transportation taxes and fees, solvency of the federal highway trust fund, toll roads and related infrastructure challenges. WORKFORCE & TALENT STRATEGIES Chair: Libby Ediger, Good Jobs Initiative Focus: Building the region’s talent pipeline from early childhood through higher education. Priorities include workforce development, employer recruitment needs and labor relations. ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES Chair: Tanner Roberts, NextEra Energy Focus: Policies encouraging energy exploration and responsible natural resource stewardship. Topics include traditional oil and gas, LNG, CNG, biofuels, nuclear, ethanol, wind, solar, sustainability, conservation and regulatory issues. 22
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TOURISM & QUALITY OF LIFE Chair: Keller Taylor, Oak View Group Focus: Enhancing the region as a place to live, work, play and visit. Issues include hospitality, conventions, events, adult beverage modernization, firearms policies, event incentives, direct flight initiatives, marketing community assets and placemaking. HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCES Chair: Robert Dorrell, BCBS Focus: Addresses issues related to the health of the region’s workforce, employer benefits, consumer-based health care, insurance reform, public health, Medicaid and indigent care funding. Also includes services aimed at investing in Oklahoman's mental health and issues including addiction and social determinants of health. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chair: Daniel Regan, Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust Focus: Business attraction and retention, economic incentives, diversifying the economy, supporting entrepreneurs, innovation, supply chain issues and international competitiveness. The Tulsa Regional Chamber's OneVoice Process is Sponsored by:
NEW MEMBERS Quarter 3, 2026 BOARD OF ADVISORS
Alliance Construction Solutions
10300 Greenbriar Pl. Oklahoma City, OK 73159 allianceconstruction.com Alliance Construction Solutions is an employee-owned general contractor and construction manager providing pre-construction, construction management and general contracting services across affordable housing and education facilities. ACS delivers economical, durable and sustainable building solutions for community long term success.
ARCO DB
380 Interstate N. Pkwy. S.E., Ste. 210 Atlanta, GA 30339 arcodb.com National Design Build General Contractor is ranked No. 1 in industrial manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum
oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com/en Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will build the first new primary aluminum production facility in the United States since 1980 at the Tulsa Port of Inola in Rogers County.
The Darryl & Julie Christner Family Foundation
djcfamilyfoundation.org Family foundation promoting the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of all individuals in our community.
Accelerando Inc.
1589 Skeet Club Rd., Box 102-276 High Point, NC 27265 accelerandoinc.com Technology consulting.
Air Viper
5401 S. Harvard, Ste. 107 Tulsa, OK 74135 airviper.aero Air Viper focuses on sourcing and supply of all aircraft material and providing whole aircraft end-of-life consignment solutions in support of airlines, MROs, leasing Companies and financial institutions.
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Alpha Tulsa
109 N. Detroit Ave. Tulsa, OK 74120 alpha.school/tulsa A mastery-based K-8 private school where students crush their academics in only two hours. Alpha Tulsa’s classes rank in the top 1% nationally. The rest of the day focuses on life skills such as grit, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Bear Agency Group
415 E 12th St., Ste. B Tulsa, OK 74120 bearagencygroup.com Bear Agency Group is a full-service collaborative advertising and marketing agency, offering everything from research and insights to strategy and creative development. It is a group of good people who want to work with other good people, doing good work.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa
1400 W. Washington St. S. Broken Arrow, OK 74012 bgcmetrotulsa.org A nonprofit, out-of-school program serving youth ages 5 to 18 in the Tulsa area.
Central Consolidated, Inc.
4616 N. Mingo Rd. Tulsa, OK 74117 centralconsolidated.net Central provides mechanical, insulation, fabrication and 24-hour service in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Chicago Title
6120 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 915 Tulsa, OK 74136 oklahoma.ctic.com Chicago Title | Oklahoma provides title insurance, escrow and closing services for commercial real estate transactions throughout Oklahoma. The Tulsa office partners with developers, investors, lenders, brokers and attorneys.
Clarke Construction
clarkestulsa.com General Contractor, PEMB, Pre-Engineered Metal Building, Maintenance, Maintenance Agreement.
Content Recovery Specialists
2640 N. Darlington Ave. Tulsa, OK 74145 crspackout.com Content Recovery Specialists offer professional content packout and restoration services to residential and commercial clients in Tulsa and surrounding areas, using advanced equipment, skilled technicians and efficient recovery techniques.
Delaney Rea Consulting
linkedin.com/in/delaney-rea Fractional HR, talent advisor, strategy consultant.
Dress for Success Tulsa
3103 S. Harvard Ave. Tulsa, OK 74135 tulsa.dressforsuccess.org Dress for Success Worldwide is the leading resource for advancing women in the workplace globally. Its purpose is to empower women to achieve economic mobility by providing a global network of support, workplace attire and development tools for success.
Edward Jones - Jewett Mauk Rodbell Financial Group 507 Chillicothe St. Portsmouth, OH 45662 edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-practice/ jewett-mauk-rodbell-financial-group Financial planning.
GoBIG Systems, Inc.
767 W. New Orleans St. Broken Arrow, OK 74011 gobig.systems Full-service SEO.
Inspired Closets Tulsa
9515 E. 51st St., Ste. B Tulsa, OK 74145 inspiredclosets.com/locations/tulsa From start to finish, a designer will guide customers through the process offering expert advice, making it fun and easy to design a closet that’s both practical and beautiful.
JMC Ventures
10125 E. 81st St., Ste. B Tulsa, OK 74133 potbelly.com JMC Ventures is a Tulsa-based franchise development company focused on building and operating high-quality Potbelly Sandwich Works restaurants throughout Oklahoma.
LEAP Advisory
7107 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa, OK 74136 leapadvisoryco.com LEAP Advisory provides fractional CFO, controller and accounting services to businesses and organizations that need experienced financial expertise without the cost of building a full in-house team.
Lilly Architects
203 N. Main St., Ste. 213 Tulsa, OK 74103 lillyarch.com Architectural services.
Lyt
811 N. Broadway Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 discoverlyt.com Prioritizing longterm positive outcomes, Lyt builds consulting partnerships centered on results. Lyt enjoys working with motivated business leaders who want to partner on business challenges across finance, accounting, technology and HR.
MA+ Architecture
10051 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 204 Tulsa, OK 74137 maplusarch.com MA+ is an award-winning architecture firm, providing professional services in architecture, interior design master planning, bond planning, 3D visualization and furniture selection since 1968.
Manna Air Delivery
12 N. Cheyenne Ave. Tulsa, OK 74103 manna.aero Founded in Ireland in 2018, Manna is one of the world’s most established commercial drone delivery companies, having completed nearly 380,000 deliveries globally using a tether-based system that lowers packages to customers rather than landing.
Marianne’s Rentals
8542 E. 41st St. Tulsa, OK 74156 mariannesrentals.com Marianne's Rentals has served Oklahoma's event industry for more than 40 years, providing such items such as tables, chairs, linens, tabletop items, lounge furniture, bars, tents, staging, dance floors and pipe and drape.
Morgan Strategic Partners
morganstrategicpartners.com Morgan Strategic Partners works with executives and business owners navigating growth, organizational complexity, leadership changes or business problems where the answer isn’t obvious. It helps leaders bring clarity to complex decisions, align their teams and translate strategy into meaningful business results.
ONE80 Consulting | PR
1601 S. Main, Ste. 102 Tulsa, OK 74119 one80.us ONE80 Consulting | PR specializes in public relations, integrated marketing and strategic communications for community-driven clients in Tulsa, Oklahoma and nationally. It crafts custom strategies that elevate and protect companies’ public image in today’s ever-changing landscape. MORE
Established in 1908, Tulsa Country Club is the city’s first private club, blending historic charm with modern amenities just minutes from downtown. With championship golf, vibrant social events, and newly renovated spaces, TCC is where tradition meets community in the heart of Tulsa 701 North Union Avenue | Tulsa, OK | 918.585.8151 | tulsacountryclub.com
Potbelly Sandwich Works
potbelly.com Potbelly has been serving up great food and good vibes for more than 45 years. From warm, toasty sandwiches to protein-packed wraps, signature salads, fresh-baked cookies and hand-dipped shakes, everything on our menu is made fresh, just the way you like it.
Red Sea Strategies
redseastrategies.com Red Sea Strategies is a trusted lobbying and public affairs firm in Oklahoma, guiding organizations, businesses and grassroots movements through today’s political and legislative process.
Rise Up For You
riseupforyou.com Rise Up For You is a leadership development, coaching and corporate training company serving clients across the United States, Canada and overseas. We build the human skills that determine whether a team performs or unravels: self-confidence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership and influential communication. Our work ranges from one-toone executive coaching to multi day leadership intensives and keynotes, delivered through the RISE Power Up Method, our proprietary framework.
Volunteers of America of Oklahoma, Inc.
9605 E. 61st St. Tulsa, OK 74133 voaok.org Since 1993, VOA Oklahoma has been empowering veterans, the aging, the homeless and the disabled in 33 counties across Oklahoma and Kansas.
YourSIP Telecom
yoursiptelecom.com YourSIP Telecom specializes in saving customers money (typically 30%) on business phone service. It offers no contracts, a price that never changes for the life of the service and 24/7 live customer support for all phones and IT Services.
LET US HOST YOUR
RIBBON
CUTTING
tulsachamber.com/ribboncuttings
Rhodes Printing
205 N. Broadway Coweta, OK 74429 crispyprint.com Rhodes Printing offers screen printing, embroidery, signs, paper and promo. Rhodes Printing is family-owned and has served Tulsa and the surrounding areas since 1954.
Scherer Insurance, LLC
P.O. Box 700834 Tulsa, OK 74170 schererinsurance.com Scherer Insurance, LLC is an independent boutique insurance agency in Tulsa that serves apartment complexes, multifamily communities, condominium owners associations and property management companies throughout Oklahoma.
Tulsa Fitness Club
314 E. Third St. Tulsa, OK 74120 tulsafitnessclub.com 24/7 fitness center, focused on personal growth, community and consistency.
TulsaKids
2510 E. 15th St., Ste. 202 Tulsa, OK 74104 tulsakids.com TulsaKids Magazine is a monthly digital and print publication that serves families across the Tulsa area and northeastern Oklahoma with trusted, locally focused content for every stage of childhood — from pregnancy through teenage years. 26
Q3 2026
The Chamber's 26-2027 Sponsorship Guide, which outlines the upcoming sponsorships available to Chamber members, is now online. Sponsorships of the Chamber's programs, events and services account for more than 25% of the organization's annual operating budget. These sponsorship opportunities are a great way to gain visibility for your business, as well as to align your company with the Chamber's strategic initiatives.
To inquire about a sponsorship, please email membership@tulsachamber.com.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5 TULSA TECH LEMLEY MEMORIAL CAMPUS 3638 S. Memorial Dr. | Tulsa, OK 74145 PRESENTED BY:
LEGISLATIVE BENEFACTORS
You can help determine the northeast Oklahoma legislative agenda for next year by attending the OneVoice Regional Legislative Summit. Each year, the OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda is developed through the collaboration of more than 500 individuals representing hundreds of businesses and more than 75 chambers of commerce, municipalities, counties and economic development organizations. Task forces met throughout the fall to generate policy positions and legislative priorities for consideration on the 2027 OneVoice agenda. The top priority from each task force is automatically added to the agenda, and attendees at the summit will deliberate and vote on which of the remaining priorities will also be included. The summit is free to attend, but you must be a Chamber member or a representative from an organization endorsing the agenda to vote on the priorities.
REGISTER TODAY!
Please ensure you bring a laptop or smartphone to the OneVoice Summit to vote on your digital ballot for the 2027 OneVoice Agenda priorities.
TULSACHAMBER.COM | THE CHAMBER REPORT
27
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE TULSA OK PERMIT NO. 348
ONE WEST THIRD STREET, SUITE 100 TULSA, OK 74103 TulsaChamber.com
THURSDAY, NOV. 19 | Noon - 1:30 P.M. NETWORKING HOUR | 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. Arvest Convention Center
REGISTER TODAY!
Member Registration: $125 | Non-member Registration: $150
PRESENTED BY:
HOSTED BY: Featuring Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols