2025 GAVEL CEREMONY & DAY AT THE CAPITOL
February 11, 2025
The 2025 Select Oklahoma Day at the Capitol and Gavel Ceremony was an excellent opportunity to speak with legislators and showcase the value of our profession.
Thank you to Governor Kevin Stitt, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Secretary of Commerce Nominee Deborah Moorad, Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Senator Kristen Thompson, Senator Bill Coleman, Representative Brad Boles, and Advanced Power Alliance Lobbyist Mark Yates for taking the time to speak with Oklahoma’s Association of Professional Economic Developers.
Congratulations to Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Brad Boles, the 2024 Legislative Advocates of the Year. They were honored for their extraordinary leadership in supporting economic development initiatives that contribute to a pro-business environment in Oklahoma.
In a tradition that dates back to the 1960s, Governor Kevin Stitt presented the incoming chair of Select Oklahoma, Meggie Froman Knight, with her gavel, and outgoing Chair Charlene Flanery was thanked for all she did during her tenure. We proudly partner with Global Oklahoma on this ceremony each year and saw that organization pass its gavel from Jason Baffrey to Andrew Ranson.
We also recognized a milestone for this event with the retirement of Mr Mike McGarry after 45 years in education. Under the leadership of Mr McGarry, the Mustang High School Woodworking students have been crafting beautiful gavels for these ceremonies for 40 years! In thanks and recognition of his many years of making gavels for this event, Global Oklahoma and Select Oklahoma presented him with a plaque and a $1000 honorarium to further the woodworking program at Mustang Public Schools. We are so grateful to have educators like Mike and wish him well in his retirement and spending time with his granddaughter.
Thank you to each of our members who spent time at the Capitol. Our industry has much work to do, and your support and participation in these educational events are critical!
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Supporting a healthy economy for the State of Oklahoma through legislative advocacy, education, training and development, professional collaboration, and supporting statewide efforts to recruit and retain primary jobs and capital investment.