David Epstein

New York Times best-selling author and science writer David Epstein has made it his mission to uncover the keys to achieving high performance in any domain, and to debunk popular myths along the way. His New York Times best-seller, The Sports Gene, took readers inside the surprising science of extraordinary athletic performance. (It has been translated in 21 languages, and was read by both President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.) In his latest book, the top ten New York Times and Amazon best-seller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, Epstein examines the world's top performers, from professional athletes to artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and Nobel laureates. Named as one of Wharton professor Adam Grant's “New Leadership Books to Read in 2019,” the Washington Post's “10 Leadership Books to Watch For,” and selected for the JP Morgan Summer Reading List, Range has received rave reviews from the likes of Daniel Pink and Malcolm Gladwell, and best-selling author Susan Cain as well as praise from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and NPR.

Epstein brings bold new insights to business, education, technological innovation, healthcare and other industries on the best approach to career development. His conclusion: In most fields, especially those that are complex, unpredictable, and difficult to automate, generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Sharing fascinating examples from the career trajectories of Duke Ellington and Roger Federer to a preeminent CEO who took her first job around the age her peers were retiring, Epstein shows that at every stage of life, from the development ofchildren in math, music and sports to students fresh out of college trying to find their way, to midcareer professionals in need of a change and would-be retirees looking for a new vocation after moving on from their previous one — generalists triumph as the world around them becomes increasingly specialized.

Epstein has spoken on the science of high performance and novel uses (and misuses) of data on five continents, to organizations from NASA to the Pat Tillman Foundation and at a diverse array of events from the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul to the open-source software community's Hadoop Summit. In 2014, his main stage TED Talk was one of the 20 most viewed of the year and has since been viewed over twelve million times. It was recently touted by Bill Gates.

Epstein's writing has appeared in numerous national and international publications, from The New York Times and The Atlantic to National Geographic. He was previously an investigative reporter at ProPublica, where his work ranged from an investigation into the DEA's complicated pursuit of Chapo Guzman's rivals, to a This American Life episode about a woman with muscular dystrophy who discovered that she shares a mutated gene with an Olympic medalist.

A former Sports Illustrated senior writer, Epstein authored or co-authored several of their most high profile investigative pieces, including the 2009 revelation of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's steroid use. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism from Columbia University, and was twice NCAA All-East as an 800-meter runner.

Merging stories from the worlds of sports, business, medicine, and education, Epstein sheds light on the paths to peak performance. From how to best prepare for our specialized world to how to optimally incorporate AI into our workplaces, Epstein unpacks the science of success — leaving audiences with actionable takeaways to improve how they live, work, and prepare for the future.

The Power of Range: The Secret to Success in Any Domain

No. 1 NYT Best-Selling Author of Range & The Sports Gene, Expert on the Science of High Performance

Walter Nusbaum

Walter Nusbaum is President of The Nusbaum Group and the author of “Do You Have What It Takes?” and “The Sink: Radical Transformation With One Small Change”. Walter is a highly sought after speaker who travels the country speaking on leadership development, driving higher levels of employee engagement and the art and science of shaping organizational culture.

He has spent the past 15 years speaking to and working closely with senior executive teams, managers/supervisors and non-profit organizations of all sizes. From the small private firm to the Fortune 100 corporation, Walter takes key growth strategies and helps to implement them in order to help drive greater growth and productivity. Walter’s contribution to the leadership community has been in his understanding and explanation of the critical traits of all successful leaders.

Walter’s academic background is in strategic management, philosophy, religious studies and leadership development. He lives in Denton, Texas with his wife Stacey and their four children.

The Sink Philosophy: Radical Transformation Through One Small Change

President, The Nusbaum Group

Amy Downs

Amy Downs began her career as a teller 32 years ago working for Federal Employee Credit Union located in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

In 1995, she was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble following the Oklahoma City bombing in which 18 of her 33 co-workers at the credit union were killed.

Embracing her second chance at life, Amy launched a campaign of self-improvement and empowerment, losing 200 pounds and adopting a new active lifestyle which ultimately led to her becoming an Ironman Triathlete.

Amy holds a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership and a master's degree in business administration from Southern Nazarene University. Amy still works for the same credit union which also survived the bombing, now called Allegiance Credit Union, serving as the president and CEO.

This is Your Time

President/CEO, Allegiance Credit Union

Janienne Bella

Janienne Bella serves as Chief Executive Officer for A Chance to Change and has been serving in this role since April 2015. This nonprofit organization provides behavioral health counseling and education to people of all ages and throughout the state while specializing in co-occurring disorders and substance use treatment. The basic service of helping people, in their darkest hours, is what made her fall in love with the A Chance to Change mission. Prior to joining the A Chance to Change team, Janienne was the Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Oklahoma- Arkansas Region of the American Red Cross. She served the Red Cross locally and nationally for more than 19 years. Her time with the Red Cross was multi-faceted as she worked in Volunteer Services, Financial Development, Health and Safety, Human Resources and Administration. Janienne says without hesitation, her experience working beside and learning from community volunteers has been a shining light in her career.

In addition to her work with the A Chance to Change, Janienne is a proud Rotarian, member of Leadership Oklahoma Class XXVI, Leadership Oklahoma City Class 32 and a graduate of the 2014 TAFB COMMSTAR class.

She received a B.S. in Human Environmental Sciences from Oklahoma State University and currently lives in Edmond with her husband Tony and 17-year-old son, Blake.

Mental Health/Wellbeing in the Workplace- Understanding for Yourself and Those Around You

Chief Executive Officer, A Chance to Change

Brad Bishop

Brad Bishop is a marketing consultant and speaker based in Oklahoma City. As a StoryBrand Guide, he helps companies implement the StoryBrand framework into all facets of their business. Brad's helped businesses of all sizes improve their messaging and, in turn, their bottom line.

Using your story to grow your business

Owner, Bishop Branding

Hilarie H. Blaney

Hilarie Blaney has been a commercial banker in Oklahoma City for over 41 years. She is a Senior Vice President at BancFirst in downtown OKC. Hilarie holds a B.S. in Management and Finance as well as an MBA in Finance from Oklahoma City University. Her awards include the Paragon award from Leadership OKC, Pi Beta Phi Crest Award and Sustainer of the Year from the Junior League of Oklahoma City. She is a graduate of Leadership OKC, Leadership Oklahoma, has served on many boards, helping create Impact Oklahoma, Inc. and currently serves on the board of Ballet Oklahoma. Hilarie also holds graduate certifications in Corporate Etiquette, International Protocol, Business Image and United States Protocol from the world-renowned Protocol School of Washington, in Washington, D.C., the only certified school in the nation. She has trained professionals in Oklahoma and Washington for over 14 years as well as consulted in governmental and civic events, including guest speakers such as Mrs. Laura Bush.

First Impressions

Etiquette and Protocol Consulting

Stacey Brandhorst

As a Venture Advisor, Stacey works with i2E portfolio and client companies to position them on the high growth trajectory by leveraging her experience as an entrepreneur and educator. Stacey is also responsible for managing i2E's Business Accelerator in Tulsa. Stacey came to i2E from Oklahoma State University and the Universidad Popular Aut'noma del Estado de Puebla in Puebla, Mexico where she was International Liaison and U.S. Program Coordinator. In that position, Stacey was responsible for expansion of the internationally recognized dual degree programs and coordinating student and faculty immersion programs in both the US and Mexico.

Prior to her position with UPAEP, Stacey also served as a Manager of Programs and Outreach for the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University where she was exposed to a variety of lifestyle and technology start-ups as she consulted with and organized events for student entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and veteran entrepreneurs.

Stacey was co-founder and CEO of PristineCal, a start-up dedicated to producing ultra-pure calcium powder. In this role she pitched her company to venture capitalists both nationally and internationally and lead the management team from idea to exit. Stacey serves as the instructor of the Business Development Academy for Hispanics at Autry Technology Center in Enid.

Stacey has a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, a Master's Degree in Marketing and Management from the Universidad Aut'noma del Estado de Puebla, and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Public Relations with a minor in Spanish from Oklahoma State University. She is fluent in Spanish and is active in numerous community organizations. She enjoys traveling anywhere, but Mexico will always be at the top of her list.

Finding Funding

Venture Advisor & Director of Venture Outreach, i2E, Inc.

Adam Brooks

Adam has jumped the fence multiple times between news and professional communications. He has worked for universities, websites, large corporations and a nationally recognized marketing communication agency. He served as the as managing editor of Oklahoma's largest business publication and is now a senior advisor at Candor.

He has extensive experience in the energy sector, and has planned and executed communications strategies for organizations ranging from nonprofits to $30 billion corporations.

Adam relishes digging into legal and government documents to look for central ideas and interpret jargon. This passion has made him Candor's go-to resource for understanding and navigating complex issues to develop key messaging points and strategies.

Personal Branding 101

Senior Advisor, Energy and Corporate Communications, Candor

Todd Burchett

Todd is a partner in BKD’s Forensics & Valuation Services division and leads its South Region practice, providing business valuation, forensic accounting, investigation, bankruptcy and litigation support services, including serving as an expert witness. In addition to being a CPA, Todd is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Since 1999, he has provided client solutions in consulting, accounting and tax matters. He has performed business valuations for a variety of purposes, including gift and estate tax, business planning, succession planning, dispute resolution and for solvency purposes in bankruptcy.

Todd also has conducted investigations testing for misappropriation of assets, conflicts of interest, manipulation of financial statements, billing schemes, false claims and use of corporate funds for potential abuse or wasteful spending.
He has been qualified as an expert witness involving forensic investigations, reconstruction of financial records, tracing of transactions, community property tracing and analysis in estate and probate litigation, financial analysis (including cost allocations), damages analysis and valuations in shareholder disputes, intellectual property disputes, breach of contract disputes, lost income calculations and analysis for solvency and preference claims in bankruptcy.

He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, where he has served on the Business Valuations Committee, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Bankruptcy Institute and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He also is a member of American Society of Appraisers, where he has served as president of the San Antonio chapter and on the International Board of Examiners.

Todd has made numerous presentations on forensic analysis and valuation of businesses to various professional organizations. He is a 1986 graduate of Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a B.S. degree in accounting.

Mitigate Your Fraud Risk

Partner, South Region Leader of Forensics and Valuation Services, BKD CPAs and Advisors

Shelley Cadamy

Strategist, consensus builder, problem solver and advocate for no-nonsense effectiveness, Shelley Cadamy has built, turned around, or transformed organizations and programs for 25 years.

Shelley spent her early career with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce building the state's first Business Intelligence Program, including the state's first Industry Clusters, which were utilized to drive recruitment of companies to Oklahoma.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she directed one of the US's first knowledge-based business recruiting and retention efforts for the Edmond Economic Development Authority. There she assisted start-ups and existing small businesses with strategy development, traditional and non-traditional financing, and general handholding. She also staffed two angel investor groups whose investments spanned multiple industries.

Shelley continued her work with entrepreneurs by leading the Business & Entrepreneurial Services program at Francis Tuttle Technology Center for eight years. She was an early adopter of social media for business and led Social Media 101 classes for more than 1000 people in the mid-2000s.

For the last six years Shelley led Workforce Tulsa as it's Executive Director. Shelley was the fourth Executive Director in six years and turned around the struggling organization via intentional board development, consensus building and collaboration with hundreds of partners, rebuilding processes and structures, relocating the organization's largest office to improve customer service, rebuilding the staff, ensuring state and federal compliance, and building a positive presence in the community via media relations. She also worked collaboratively with chambers and statewide-organizations to create business-friendly policy and legislation, including criminal justice reform, and launched the organization's first legislative agenda.

Shelley earned a BA in Art History, Cum Laude, followed by a Masters in Regional & City Planning, with an Economic Development emphasis, both from the University of Oklahoma.

Shelley has graduated from Leadership Tulsa, Leadership Oklahoma City, and multiple other leadership programs. She has received multiple awards for her business and community involvement, including YWCA Tulsa's Woman of the Year and the Journal Record's "50 Women Making a Difference."

Workforce Development: Creating Great Employees

Partner, The Mettise Group

Dr. Alan Campbell

Dr. Alan Campbell has worked with business owners since 1995. He has several businesses as well and has assisted families and business teams through the process of transitioning to different ownership teams. His focus is on family business as well as non-family ownership teams. Dr. Campbell is a psychologist in private practice in Stillwater, Oklahoma and focuses on helping people with mood and adjustment issues. His main avocation is golf and he plays in a cover band out of OKC.

Healthy Business Transition to New Owners: Why is this so hard?

Director, Family Business Resources

Sunny Cearley

Sunny Cearley serves as Vice President of Membership for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. She oversees the Chamber's membership sales and retention efforts, member services operations and advertising and sponsorship sales. Prior to joining the leadership team at the Chamber, Cearley served as Director of Sales and Community Relations for The Journal Record Publishing Company where she led the sales efforts for a daily business newspaper, a weekly military publication and nine large-scale special events.

Cearley holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Baylor University, a Master of Journalism from the University of North Texas. Her community involvement includes the board of directors for The Civic Center Foundation, El Sistema Oklahoma, and Leadership Oklahoma City's YLX program. She also serves as the Campaign Cabinet-Hospitality Division Chair for the United Way of Central Oklahoma, and is on the Leadership Team for Wellness Now. She is graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 30 and LOYAL Class III.

Networking 101

VP of Membership, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Mike Crandall

Mike Crandall is a consultant, coach, trainer, speaker and author focused on the subconscious psychology of human interaction and motivation. He is brought in by business owners and executives to work on the behaviors, attitudes, techniques and guts needed to be more successful in business improvement, sales / revenue growth and employee development. His firm specializes in helping identify the blind spots and obstacles that are holding you back and then implementing systems, behaviors, and guts to become more successful. Clients ultimately develop new habits that lead to proactive growth professionally and personally. He is based in Oklahoma City and serves visionary clients across the United States.

Mike earned a MBA in Leadership and organizational development from Oklahoma Christian University and a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska. He is the author of the best-selling book Motivational Management the Sandler Way. He is a contributing writer and columnist for several publications including The Business Times of Edmond, The Oklahoman, News OK and The Edmond Sun.

Mike is active in The Oklahoma Professional Sales Association; The National Speakers Association; The Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium; The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce; The Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce; and The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he serves as the Administrative Council Chair at Acts 2 United Methodist Church.

How to Motivate Yourself and Others
and
How to Become a Master Communicator

CEO, Sandler Training

David Curran

David is brought in by organizational owners, leaders, and HR directors to uncover and clear away aggravating communication smokescreens, organizational waste, anxiety around revenue, shrinking margins, and long sales-cycles. He serves as a behavioral consultant, trainer, coach, and mentor to implement the systems and processes of human interaction that drive consistent results and positive culture.

David earned his MBA with Western Governor’s University, his BS in Management & Ethics from Mid-America Christian University and is a Certified Sandler Trainer.

Prior to his work with Sandler, David served on the executive team of several universities in Oklahoma. Roles included Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, Director, Spokesperson, Initiative Implementation and Consultant. In every engagement he led triple-digit growth, enhanced communication, improved closing rates, shortened sales cycles, and systemized growth strategies garnered from the Sandler Selling System. David has consulted for universities, think tanks, and start-ups, owned his own business tech firm, and for over 15 years led a nationally recognized, industry leading, sales organization.

Better Results Through Asking Questions

Head of Business Development, Sandler Training

Sherry Dale, CPA

A serial entrepreneur, strategist, advisor, connector, mindfulness coach and expert in building companies and high-performance teams. Sherry has owned, founded and built companies in professional services, real estate, retail, wholesale, technology and financial services. With executive-level experience in finance, operations, technology, strategic planning and general management, Sherry has served in management for clients in multiple industries.

Sherry was a co-founder and the Audit, Accounting & Consulting Partner for Jones & Dale, CPA's. She was responsible for business development, strategic planning, management of the firm and the audit and consulting division. Sherry also provided direct auditing and consulting service delivery to a wide range of clients while specializing in high growth entrepreneurial companies.

Sherry co-founded a wholesale meat and frozen food distributorship in April 1991 (Express Meat Company). She was responsible for all operations and day-to-day management and growth of the company. Under her leadership the company grew to distribution in a 5-state region, 60+ employees and annual revenues in excess of $70 million. Sherry negotiated a successful sale of the company to Cargill in late 2004. After the sale of Express Meat Company, Sherry founded Strategix Consulting Group in October 2004. Her firm provided strategic planning, executive team building, executive coaching, financial stewardship, succession planning and exit planning for high growth entrepreneurial companies.

From 2009 to 2015, Sherry stepped into interim management for one of her consulting clients that was experiencing explosive growth. She took the role of Chief Operating Officer and her responsibilities included managing the day-to-day operations, organizational oversight on all human resource issues, subcontractor management, corporate budget compliance, financial management, banking, insurance, strategic planning, contract negotiations, due diligence site, and software development planning. She was instrumental in the management of a large government contract and in the launch of a technology company subsidiary.

Sherry is a Certified Public Accountant with a BA in Accounting and Economics. She started her career with two international accounting firms, Coopers & Lybrand and Arthur Andersen.

Financial Bootcamp for Emerging Leaders

Partner, The Mettise Group

Stacy Eads

Stacy Eads is one of Oklahoma's 50 Women Making a Difference. As a Most Admired CEO in her home state of Oklahoma, she is now empowering other CEOs nationwide to embrace their leadership potential. As an impactful business coach, Mrs. Eads actively facilitates annual planning retreats to propel $1 million - $100 million dollar companies toward rapidly scalable growth. Just a few of her affiliations over her career include the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma Board of Directors and Torch Ethics Award recipient. Stacy Eads has also served as a TEDx OKC Speaker Coach and Ambassador Chairwoman for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. With strategy sessions and training speeches booked more than 70% last year alone, her consulting talent is in high demand to CEO Coach, Train Teams, and Speak at Events. You can learn more about her expertise at or connect with her on LinkedIn at

Vote for Prom King or Queen: Get Crowned on Page 1 Google Ranking
and
Corporate Cares: Are you building a Purpose-Driven community impact?

CEO, Stacy Eads, LLC

Danielle Ezell, APR, SPHR

A jack of all trades, strategist and expert problem solver. Danielle has owned several businesses, served on the executive team of a multi-national corporation and headed a non-profit.

She can work at both a macro and micro level to quickly gain clarity of an organization's opportunities and accurately identify potential obstacles.

Danielle spent the early part of her career focused on business-to-business marketing and public relations. After working for several companies, she founded an award-winning strategic communications consulting firm. Her insatiable curiosity coupled with a dislike of routine resulted in her working with clients ranging from startups to the federal government.

In 2008 she agreed to lead the technology marketing team for Teleflora, a former consulting client. Danielle was quickly promoted at the online flower retailer and in 2011 was named Vice President of Administration. A member of the executive team, she led the company's human resources functions, technology marketing and key enterprise-wide operations projects.

Prior to joining Mettise, Danielle lead the Oklahoma Women's Coalition as the nonprofit's executive director for several years. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its advocacy work at the Capitol while also gaining financial stability and program growth.

A trusted advisor, Danielle has worked at every level of an organization. She has extensive experience managing cross-functional, enterprise-wide initiatives including quality programs, leadership development and succession planning efforts, compensation programs and product launches.

Danielle is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and has her Accreditation in Public Relations. She earned her B.S. in Public Relations from Syracuse University and her M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University.

Early Childhood Development: The First 100 Days in an Employee's Life

Partner, The Mettise Group

Eric S. Fisher

Eric S. Fisher is a director in the firm's Oklahoma City office. He has spent his career focused on business creation and development, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, operational and compliance matters, and assisting clients grow and manage their businesses. Clients value and rely on Eric for his pragmatic and business-oriented advice.

Eric primarily serves as outside general counsel to closely held companies, family businesses, and entrepreneurs and their early stage and emerging market businesses, offering guidance and advice on all aspects of the organization, operation and financing of such businesses. Having participated in the management and growth of his family's bank and real estate development company, Eric understands the complexities and difficulties business owners face daily in growing and managing their businesses.

In addition to his personal and professional experience in the real estate and banking sectors, Eric spent the first two decades of his legal career advising a host of individuals and institutions in a variety of healthcare ventures, guiding staffing companies in the development and expansion of their businesses, counseling a broad range of high tech companies at various stages of their business cycles, consulting with a variety of natural resource companies, representing liquor companies at all levels of the supply chain, and helping a variety of entrepreneurs spin up, develop and manage their various business ventures. Currently Eric serves as vice-chair of the Healthcare Practice Group and chair of the firm's Cannabis Industry Practice Group.

In his pre-lawyer days, Eric worked in client management for an advertising firm in Chicago. In this role, he represented a number of international packaged goods companies developing, testing, promoting and marketing new products and repositioning and rebranding existing products. This training taught Eric how to develop a concept from drawing board to point of sale, evaluate consumer acceptance and changing desires, and pivot and reposition as needed. This diverse, but applicable training, has given Eric a unique perspective to provide legal advice to his entrepreneurial clients as they face challenges developing their businesses and adapting to market shifts in their industries.

Eric is listed in the Best Lawyers publication in the fields of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Health Care Law (2013 - Present). Additionally, Eric has been recognized by the Oklahoma Super Lawyers publication for Closely Held Businesses since 2013. Eric's achievements also include recognition as Best Lawyers' 2018 Lawyer of the Year - Health Care Law (OKC) and Top 50 Lawyers in Oklahoma by Super Lawyers in 2014.

Cannabis in the workplace

Attorney, Crowe & Dunlevy

Russ Florence

Russ Florence is a partner, president and chief operating officer for Schnake Turnbo Frank, leading the firm's Oklahoma City office.

Russ brings a broad range of communication and management experience to the firm. With experience in journalism, corporate leadership and consulting, he delivers a multi-faceted, balanced perspective to his clients. His expertise includes leadership development, strategic planning, executive coaching, reputation management, crisis communications, media relations and integrated communications.

Russ joined Schnake Turnbo Frank 2001 and became a partner in 2007. He maintains a key role in leading the company's strategic growth and external affairs.

Before joining the firm, Russ managed corporate communications for the BOK Financial Corp. He relies on every facet of his past experience -- journalism, nonprofit, corporate and entrepreneurism -- in his work today.

Situational Leadership
and
Building Presentation Skills

President, Chief Operating and Inclusion Officer, Schnake Turnbo Frank

Doug Hacking

Doug Hacking received a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 and a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005. He is a former pharmaceutical sales representative and currently works as a pharmacist, adjunct faculty, author, corporate engagement, corporate culture, and employee wellness consultant. He has over fifteen years of professional teaching experience and has devoted over twenty years to researching, practicing, and creating his Relationship Resonance system aimed at helping us all achieve better results in all areas of life through relationship-driven success.

Doug Hacking is a recent recipient of the University of Oklahoma's Outstanding Preceptor award as well as CVS Health's Paragon and Regional Preceptor Awards. Doug resides with his wife and three children in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he attends and serves at Life.Church.

Combatting Connection Killers

CEO / Owner, Relationship Resonance, Inc.

Kati Hanna

Kati Hanna is a seasoned consultant, with more than 25 years of experience. She has held leadership roles at multiple consulting agencies as well as owned her own strategic consulting firm for more than 10 years.

Kati’s expertise and areas of focus include, business coaching, marketing and sales consulting, organizational analysis and design, process improvement, leadership training, strategic planning, franchise development, leadership development and strategic initiative implementation.

She has worked with over 300 growing companies across the country in her 25 years of consulting. Most of her efforts have focused on working with leadership teams to define goals and high-potential growth opportunities; managing key corporate initiatives, marketing efforts and organizational implementation.

As an executive coach, Kati serves as a confidential sounding board and advisor to CEOs and senior managers. She is known for her ability to provide important insight as well as concrete action plans for clients to accomplish their goals. This work includes utilizing a variety of self-assessments, 360 assessments and ongoing individualized coaching. Kati knows how people tick and businesses function. Her goal is for both people and businesses to be successful.

As a trainer, Kati has designed and implemented many customized training and development programs for executive teams and emerging leaders. She has worked individually and corporately with executives from a broad spectrum of organizations and industries. Kati has extensive experience in both the B2B and B2C markets. Her focus within many organizations is leadership development and guiding organizations to leverage their existing people and processes to maximize performance and long-term impact.

Kati was the Managing Partner for two major industry growth initiatives for the Christian publishing and music industries. These industry projects included 22 Christian publishers and 19 Christian record labels.
She was part of the founding franchise development team for ATS staffing that later sold to Randstad and worked for many years with Inc. Magazine Consulting Group based out of Boston.

Kati’s clients consistently describe her as insightful, nonjudgmental, challenging, incredibly honest and invested in their success. When Kati is not working, she is spending time golfing, reading, skiing and traveling with her husband of 22 years and two kids.

Building Your Professional Equity Today for Your Role Tomorrow

Partner, The Mettise Group

Tee Hicks

Teresa Hicks (best known as TEE) considers herself a Servant Leader with a sincere desire to make an impact on the natural human aspect of doing business in Corporate America. Tee currently serves as the VP of Advertising at The Oklahoman. Elevate attendees will experience treasured lessons, open and candid talk, grounded in good sense selling techniques. Tee has over 35 years of sales, leadership and managerial experience inside the fields of media, theatre, marketing and advertising. Tee has worked in the media space throughout the U.S. to include, California, Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, Nevada, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas and just nine months ago, she landed in Oklahoma.

Down through the years, her ‘Real Talk’ approach to selling has won her seats at the table in Board rooms with CEOs to seats at family dining room tables with families who won SMBs. Rooted and grounded in family values, Tee is quick to share how much her FAMILY inspires her daily walk in life that is filled with Hope, Joy and an enthusiasm that inspires others to experience the same. Much of her spare time is spent with family, her prayer group and her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. However, when Tee was just a little girl growing up in California with big dreams, her grandmother told her, “Babygirl, God made this big old world, don’t put limits on yourself, open the eyes of your heart and get out and see as much of it, as possible”. Thus, more often you will find Tee utilizing every vacant weekend and certainly every vacation, seeking to see and experience things many eyes have never seen. She is a self-proclaimed Traveling Expert. Tee holds a B.A. in Mass Communications, and an MBA in Divinity, and is always seeking to be a student of life.

Questions, Part 2: Conversation Discipline
and
What We Sell

Vice President of Advertising, The Oklahoman Media Company

Danielle Hoeltzel

Danielle Hoeltzel has been in the training and organizational development field for more than 10 years, with a special focus on leadership development, coaching, group facilitation, and presentation skills. Before coming to Express Employment Professionals International Headquarters in 2015, she worked at Chesapeake Energy and served as a human resources analyst.

With experience as a change manager through initiatives in medium and large organizations, Hoeltzel earned her Professional in Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute, and is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional, and has a master's degree in organizational leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

Hoeltzel's previous speaking engagements include the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Junior League of Oklahoma City, the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Community College, Boeing, and the Oklahoma Human Resources State Conference and Expo, among others.

An active member of her community, Hoeltzel has served as a board member for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. She is also active in the Association for Talent Development, Leadership Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Employee Advisory Board, as well as a business mentor for the University of Central Oklahoma. Hoeltzel also served as a United Way Community Investment Volunteer and developed employment courses for the Education and Employment Ministries.

Faces of Change: Understanding and Managing Generations in the Workplace

Director of Organizational Development, Express Employment Professionals

Gunnar Hood

Gunnar is the principal of WSI Summit, a digital marketing agency. While he spends most of his time helping B2B companies develop and implement business growth strategies using the Internet, he carves out time to educate others. Gunnar is often asked to lead public, corporate and individual training sessions on using Linkedin for personal, professional and business growth.

Before launching WSI Summit in 2012, Gunnar's career included 25 years in leadership roles in financial services. Gunnar moved to Oklahoma City in 2003 as the VP of Operations for The Hartford where he was responsible for 700 licensed insurance agents. Between 2003 and 2011 his division was named a top 5 Best Place to Work in Oklahoma three times, earned JD Power Certification six times and twice was named the ICMI Global Contact Center of the Year.

Gunnar helped launch One Million Cups OKC and Oklahoma Professional Sales Association. He is a Leadership Edmond alumni and has served on various boards including the Greater OKC Chamber Board of Advisors.

LinkedIn for Introverts

Digital Marketing Consultant, WSI Summit

Rhonda Hooper

Rhonda is President/CEO of Jordan Advertising, a marketing and communications agency which has been headquartered in Oklahoma City for 55 years.

Rhonda is currently serving as Chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. For the Chamber, she has served on the executive committee as vice chair of economic development, as well as convention and tourism development. She chaired the OKC Convention & Visitors Commission, and led the MAPS III Coalition. She is chair of the governing board of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST), past chair of the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, and past chair of Leadership Oklahoma. Rhonda serves as vice chair of the OKC Economic Development Trust, and on the boards of the Alliance for Economic Development, OKC Boathouse Foundation, Arts Council, Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, and Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

At her core (which is the color orange), is her love and passion for Oklahoma State University (OSU). She was recently inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. She was recognized as a distinguished alumnus in 2007, as well as in the college of Arts & Sciences in 2001. She served as the national chair of the OSU Alumni Association, and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the OSU Foundation, Women for OSU, the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, and on the president's advisory committee for OSU-OKC.

Positioning Your Company to Be Irresistible

President and CEO, Jordan Advertising

Gene Hopper

Gene Hopper is known for her ability to bring executive teams together and get results. An experienced entrepreneur, strategist, and advisor on high-performance organizations, Gene gets to the core of complex issues and finds the path forward - ensuring her clients get a real-world plan and financial metrics to accomplish their goals and coach to hold them accountable.

Gene specializes in the challenges of growth, turnarounds and preparing companies for sale or merger. Accomplished as an entrepreneur and executive, CEO's trust her as their "business therapist" who not only advises on specific challenges but has the unique ability to mentor and build their capacity lead.
Gene's experience is broad. As an entrepreneur, she launched four companies (two venture-funded), secured a patent and commercialized diagnostic and technology products nationally. As an executive, Gene has held C-suite positions in operations, marketing and IT, giving her depth and breadth in leadership and process. Organizationally, Gene has succeeded in a diversity of environments including corporate (Apple Computer, Inc.) health care (Harvard Medical School's Joslin Diabetes Center) and state government (OU Health Science Center.)

Gene's skills as a valued advisor are continually honed through helping more than a hundred companies develop and execute growth strategies. This experience results in Mettise's unique planning process that focusses on execution and "whole system" work to leverage the talents and alignment of the entire employee base as opposed to just the CEO or leadership team.

Resulting from her passion for connection and creating community, Gene founded the Posse and the Tribe CEO advisory network. As the largest locally based peer-advisory network, men and women from all backgrounds have found a trusted network of authentic, talented and inspiring leaders who have their back.

The Tightrope of Confrontation: Successfully Navigating Conflict in the Workplace

Partner, The Mettise Group

Eric Long

Eric Long is the Research Economist for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, where he has served for over the past decade. As the Chamber's Research Economist, he provides business intelligence, workforce and economic analysis that support the region's economic development efforts and local businesses. Mr. Long has served on the national board of C2ER, The Council for Community and Economic Research and is a past graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City.

One of Eric's responsibilities is to oversee Oklahoma City's participation in the C2ER Cost of Living Survey, a nationwide survey providing a city-to-city comparison of prices for more than 300 metro areas. Eric's most recent claim to fame is that he won first place in a Celebrity Team Cow Milking Contest at the Cleveland County Fair.

Making Data-Driven Decisions: Group Therapy for Your Business Research Needs

Senior Research Economist, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

David McLaughlin

David B. McLaughlin, M.Ed, SHRM-SCP, is the Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Training for American Fidelity. He has a M. Ed and B.S. in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma. David serves on the board of the Oklahoma City Society of Human Resources as Director-at-Large, Special Programs. David is also past-president of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of Association of Talent Development and founder of Full Volume Development, a think tank that explores best practices related to high performance in organizational development.

Managing Up for Results

Asst Vice President, Corporate Training, American Fidelity Assurance Company

Scott Meacham

As President and CEO, Scott Meacham leads i2E's efforts to create knowledge-based jobs in Oklahoma through the development of and investment in high growth companies. Scott comes to i2E from the Crowe & Dunlevy law firm, which he joined in January 2011 as a shareholder and director. He served as chairman of the banking and financial institutions practice group. Prior to that, he served as the 17th State Treasurer of Oklahoma, an office he held from June 2005 until January 2011. In addition to his duties as State Treasurer, Scott served on the governor's cabinet as Secretary for Finance and Revenue from January 2003 until January 2011. In this capacity, he was the governor's primary financial and budget advisor and served as the governor's chief negotiator on budget, legislative, tribal and other matters.

Scott formerly served as Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Lending Supervisor of First National Bank & Trust of Elk City. Under his leadership, the bank more than doubled in size and saw its profits increase by more than 150 percent. He assumed executive leadership of the bank in 1991 and served as the bank's general counsel since 1989. He continues to be associated with the bank as a member and secretary of the board of directors and a member of the loan, investment and executive committees.

Scott is a certified financial planner, has also practiced law in Clinton, Oklahoma, as a partner in the Meacham & Meacham law firm where his practice focused on banking, oil & gas, real estate, estate planning and commercial litigation. He practiced in the same areas in Elk City, Oklahoma, as a sole practitioner. His experience includes serving as counsel for several financial institutions; handling collections, transactions and corporate matters for financial institutions; representing both debtors and creditors in bankruptcy; and successfully handling district court litigation as well as appellate matters in areas of commercial law and oil and gas. A fifth generation Oklahoman and a graduate of Chickasha High School, Scott holds a Bachelor's degree in finance, a Masters of Business Administration and a law degree, all from the University of Oklahoma.

Keeping Your Cool

President & CEO, i2E, Inc.

Steve Puckett

Steve Puckett, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is known as an HR expert who provides tools, resources, and quality solutions for managers and employees, bringing more than 30 years of experience to every speaking engagement. Currently, he is the Director of Corporate Human Resources at Express Employment Professionals where he provides up-to-the-minute consultation on ever-changing employment rules.

An Oklahoma native, Puckett earned an Associate's degree from Connors State College in Warner, OK, and a Bachelor's of Science degree from Oklahoma State University.

Prior to joining Express in 2011, he began his HR career while working at Oklahoma City metro banks, including Liberty National Bank, Bank One (now Chase Bank), and Local Oklahoma Bank (now IBC Bank). Puckett also spent six years handling employee relations and benefits for Oklahoma Publishing Company, publisher of the largest newspaper in Oklahoma.

Puckett is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and holds the designations of Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He has been selected as an approved recertification status provider for SHRM and HR Certification Institute (HRCI) events. Puckett is a member of the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society and is on the Executive Board of the Oklahoma City Metro Employer Council, where he has served as chairman and vice chairman.

Help! I've Been Promoted: Essential Skills for New Supervisors

Director, Corporate Human Resources, Express Employment Professionals

Sandra Quince

Sandra Quince is a Diversity & Inclusion Executive responsible for the Global Diversity & Inclusion Council (GDIC) as well as the Global Diversity and Inclusion Awards. In this role, she supports the CEO and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in delivering the global D&I strategy for the company. Sandra's work with the GDIC is focused on growing the diverse representation of the workforce, promoting an inclusive workplace and being a place where all employees have the opportunity to achieve their goals and meet the needs of customers.

Sandra is also the Market President Human Resources Leader for Oklahoma, responsible for driving employee engagement and retention efforts as well as performance planning for the Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets. Formerly, Sandra was in leadership development supporting the Consumer and Small Business Banking. In
this role, Sandra was responsible for talent management as well as a Client Manager for the Consumer Bank. Prior to moving into Leadership Development, Sandra was a Learning Manager with new hire learning for the Banking Center Chanel and managed a team of instructors who supported the East Division.

Sandra sits on the executive committee and board for Family & Children's Services, a leading provider of behavioral health care and family services in Tulsa; and is a member of the Program Committee for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits which is focused on developing and driving diversity and inclusion for nonprofits in Oklahoma. Sandra is a graduate of Florida State University.

Developing Cultural Competency

Bank of America

Kenny Reinbold

Kenny Reinbold works in the marketing department at Express Employment Professionals' International Headquarters in Oklahoma City. He's a top 20 under 40 award winner from the Edmond Business Times, was named board member of the year by the Children's Hospital Foundation of Oklahoma and was a winner of the NextGen 30 under 30 award in 2016. He's passionate about helping others succeed, and believes that making Oklahoma a stronger state starts with investing in business leaders and our next generation.

What Impressions are You Making: Professionalism Leads to Success

Marketing Specialist, Express Employment Professionals

Dot Rhyne

Dot joined Fields & Futures in 2013 as the organization was approaching its second field project at Webster Middle School. With a 30-year background in marketing and sponsorship sales, she has helped the organization grow its funding base through both a traditional nonprofit approach as well as more marketing-driven opportunity for those companies or organizations seeking involvement through custom sponsorship and/or programming opportunities.

Prior to joining Fields & Futures, Dot was VP/Marketing for Griffin Communications and served three years at marketing manager at The Oklahoman in the early 2000s. She made her move to Oklahoma City in 2002 from Dallas where she was Director of Sales Promotion for The Dallas Morning News, followed by several years traveling the country as a sales trainer and consultant for media sales organizations.

In 2011, Dot launched Brand Talkers, a niche sales and marketing firm. As founder and president of Brand Talkers, she is contracted by Fields & Futures to oversee marketing and development ... a role she says has changed her life for the better in more ways than she can count!

Dot Rhyne joined Fields & Futures in 2013 as the organization was approaching its second field project at Webster Middle School. With a 30-year background in marketing and sponsorship sales, she has helped the organization grow its funding base.

Prior to joining Fields & Futures, Dot was vice president of marketing for Griffin Communications and served three years at marketing manager at The Oklahoman.

In 2011, Dot launched Brand Talkers, a niche sales and marketing firm. As founder and president of Brand Talkers, she is contracted by Fields & Futures to oversee marketing and development ... a role she says has changed her life for the better in more ways than she can count!

Questions, Part 1: Questions with Purpose and Payoff
and
Resolving Concerns

Founder & President, Brand Talkers

David Rodarte

David is a Director, BKDnext Business Advisors. He provides planning and execution services for growth, profitability, succession, and business continuity. While based in greater Cincinnati, Ohio he provides business advisory services throughout the USA.

He is an experienced CEO with over 20 years of operating mid-sized businesses. In 2012 he sold his rapidly growing Consumer Technology company through BKD Capital Advisors. Through an enabled workforce his team grew a Northern Kentucky business from $2Mn to $20Mn in 5 years with high cash flow and transferable value. The transaction achieved significantly above industry multiples of EBITDA.

Since the sale of the business David has been a business advisor helping company’s plan growth with the transition in mind. Through the use of proven strategic planning methods and experience he has assisted business sized from $10 MM to in excess of $1.0Bn in revenue.

David has a keen sense of the value of people. He has an intimate understanding of the choices owners face when looking to the future and how to plan and manage with the team in mind. He understands the emotion, joy, and the burdens of being a leader.

He is on the Board of Directors of StreamSpot, Vera Luce Lighting, Advisory Board Member of Precision Pro Golf, and a Board of Advisor to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. He has been a business mentor for startups with UpTech and Cintrifuse, a Job Committee member for DePaul Cristo Rey, a Devou Park Advisory member and a current volunteer to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He is a past Trustee for the Consumer Technology Foundation, Consumer Electronics Association Board of Industry Leaders, Board of Director Sherry Laboratories, CEO and Operating Board Member, NuVo Technologies.

David is a resident of Covington, Kentucky and a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He has extensive education in Quality Management, Organizational Effectiveness, and Strategic Planning. He is experienced in International Business, Asian Manufacturing and Logistics, Software and Hardware Development, and Business Development.

The value of inclusiveness in strategic financial planning

Director, BKDnext Business Advisor , BKD CPAs and Advisors

Paul Ross

Paul Ross is a trial lawyer whose primary practice involves the representation of employers in labor and employment disputes. His experience includes first-chair management of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful discharge matters in both federal and state courts, trial and appellate, as well as in arbitration and before governmental agencies. He routinely represents employers in a wide variety of matters, including claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and other federal and state laws governing employers.

Paul also provides training and on-demand advice to employers regarding litigation avoidance and assists in day-to-day planning and decision-making, discrimination and harassment investigations, development of policies and procedures, employment contracts, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, reductions-in-force, and alternatives to reductions-in-force. His diverse client base includes municipalities and nonprofit organizations as well as companies engaged in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, energy, telecommunications, retail and business services.

Paul serves as leader of the firm's Labor and Employment Group, one of the largest of its kind in the region. He is a highly regarded speaker on issues in employment law, regularly addressing various human resource groups and management-level employees, and is an editor and contributing author to the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter. He has also provided training to other Oklahoma lawyers on employment law topics through the Oklahoma Bar Association's Law of the Workplace program in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

In 2011, Paul was appointed to serve as an administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Outside of the labor and employment arena, Paul's experience includes representation of business clients in a variety of complex commercial disputes. He has actively participated in litigation surrounding commercial contracts and business relationships, as well as shareholder derivative claims and toxic mold exposure. He also actively represents Oklahoma Native American tribes with respect to gaming and other regulatory issues with the federal government.

Paul's achievements have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (employment law - management; labor law - management; labor and employment litigation) and Oklahoma Super Lawyers.

Prior to embarking on his legal career, Paul taught mathematics at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. He also supervised a 100+ member customer service staff at one of the nation's largest mortgage servicing companies.

Paul and his wife Tristi are the proud parents of two daughters and one son.

The changing landscape of OT rules

Shareholder, Practice Group Leader, McAfee & Taft

Michael Shellabarger

Michael has been employed with Love's Family of Companies since April 2014. He currently supports the Corporate Human Resources team with an emphasis on learning and development. Michael graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2010 with a B.A. in Broadcasting, and again in 2013 with an M.Ed. in Adult Education/Training.

Who Moved My Cheese? The Art of Change Management
and
Time Management - The Art of Eating the Frog
and
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Corporate Trainer, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Brad Thomas

Brad Thomas is a co-founder and serves as the President and COO for NvYA Technology. He is responsible for the overall operation of the company. Brad has co-founded multiple technology start-ups including Anodyne Technologies, Perimeter Technology center and NvYA Technology.

Brad is a past board member for the Oklahoma City American Diabetes Association and the Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation. Brad has been married over 24 years and has four daughters. He enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, reading and generally anything related to technology.

Ten IT tips when you are the President and IT Technician of your company

Co-Founder, NvYA Technology

Rhonda Y. Thompson

This HR/Training professional has over 20 years of experience as a corporate facilitator/trainer and instructional designer. This time has included coaching employees on job performance; creating curriculum and e-learning courses for new employees, tenured employees, technical training, and product launches; and mentoring employees for professional development.

In addition to having a B.A. in English/Creative Writing and a M.A. Education/Curriculum and Instruction, Rhonda also holds certifications for Meyers-Briggs MBTI STEP I and Step II and Emotional Intelligence EQ-I 2.0 + EQ 360.

On a personal note Rhonda is blessed to have a magnificent husband, Anthony, and four wonderful children who have all at one time or another willingly and/or unknowingly participated as training subjects.

Becoming a Trusted Co-Worker

Sr. Technical Training Specialist, OGE Energy Corp.

Derek Villanueva

Derek Villanueva brings to Elevate over 20 years of sales, sales management, and relationship-based sales experience. During his career in the media and advertising, and most recently in the Executive Recruiting and Staffing industry, he has successfully implemented business strategies for thousands of corporations and SMBs that focused on revenue generation and talent development with his servant based selling approach. Derek holds his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, where he met his wife, Kerry, who is a Kindergarten teacher. They live in Mustang and keep busy with their three boys, Davis, Dane, and Drew.

Sales: Our Chosen Profession
and
Client-Focused Communication

Director, DRG Professional Services

Shannon Warren

Shannon is the Founder Emeritus of the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium ("OK Ethics"), a non-profit, grassroots professional organization established in 2003 that is dedicated to promoting integrity at work. Her full-time position is as an Executive Partner with Magellan Executive Partners, a premier team of CEO's and executives with real-world experience who help foster leaders worth following.

With nearly 150 company members, OK Ethics has become a flourishing organization dedicated to the promotion of high ethical standards in business. Monthly events in OKC and Tulsa have featured prominent local speakers as well as national leaders. These include Chuck Colson, Stephen M. R. Covey, Worldcom's whistleblower Cynthia Cooper and countless CEOs. For sixteen years, Shannon provided leadership to an enthusiastic team of approximately 70 dedicated volunteers who serve faithfully every month.

Shannon also established a sister organization, the OK Ethics Foundation (now known as the Student Education and Ethics Development Foundation or S.E.E.D). Designed specifically to reach out to students, this group sponsors annual student ethics bowls for high school and university students.

Prior to establishing OK Ethics, Shannon served as a Human Resources executive for hospitality and energy entities as well as an international publishing company in Tulsa. She held progressively responsible leadership roles with the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association and was later honored by that organization with both a President's and an Excellence Award. She moved back to Oklahoma City to care for her aging parents, who taught her the values of honesty and generosity of service. Today, she continues her work with OK Ethics in honor of their memory.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Shannon achieved her Masters in Leadership and Management from Oklahoma City University. She has written about 200 monthly business ethics columns for The Journal Record and others. She has also served as an adjunct professor for graduate students in the area of bioethics and business ethics.

Elevate Your Reputation: Practical Ethics for Everyday Life

Founder, OK Ethics

Nathan L. Whatley

Nathan Whatley represents management in all phases of litigation before federal and state courts, regulatory and administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and in arbitration matters. He also handles litigation matters involving the enforcement of non-competition and confidentiality agreements, breach of employment contracts, handbook and personnel policy violations, wage and hour disputes, and other issues arising out of employer/employee relationships.

Nathan has litigated in Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, California, South Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri.

Nathan also routinely counsels clients in connection with employee discipline, terminations and reductions in force; wage and hour issues; handbooks and policies; drug and alcohol programs; executive compensation, employment and non-competition agreements; and individual and group severance programs and related matters. He also provides training to management and non-management employees in all areas affecting the employer/employee relationship and regularly conducts on-site client training in areas such as sexual harassment, drug and alcohol testing, employee leave and disability, and EEOC compliance and investigation.

Nathan is a frequent speaker on a variety of labor and employment topics and has been a guest legal columnist and contributing author to numerous business and professional publications, including The Oklahoman, The Journal Record, Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, HRlaws.com, and EmployerLINC, a legal blog dedicated to employers and workplace issues. He has also been interviewed by local print and broadcast media outlets on matters affecting Oklahoma employers. In addition to having served as editor of the newsletter for the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association, he has authored white papers for the Society for Human Resource Management and articles for the Oklahoma Law Review and Oklahoma Bar Journal. His major writing credits include authoring and updating Oklahoma Employment Law: Practice and Forms Manual, published by Data Trace Publishing Company since 2010; co-authoring Entertainment and Media Law Client Strategies, published by Aspatore Books in 2007; and serving as a contributing writer to Age Discrimination In The Workplace: A Primer For Human Resource Professionals, published by the Society for Human Resource Management in 1999.

Nathan has previously served as leader of McAfee & Taft's Labor and Employment Group. His experience and expertise have earned him inclusion in Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America (employment law - management; labor law - management; labor and employment litigation) and Oklahoma Super Lawyers, where he has been named to its list of "Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers." He was selected by Best Lawyers as the "Oklahoma City Employment Lawyer of the Year (Management)" for 2019, an honor only given to a single lawyer in each legal specialty in each community.

Oklahoma's Open Carry Laws: What You Need to Know

Shareholder, McAfee & Taft

Jennifer Wherle

Jennifer is coming up on her 7 year anniversary with Dell. Her interest in computers started at a young age with her dad being a computer engineer. She went to college for MIS and eventually transitioned to work full time for Dell. Over her time at Dell she has not only mastered her job, but has taken on other roles like, mentoring, a chair of an employee resourse group for OKC PRIDE, and constantly seeking to better herself outside of her daily job. She has planned multiple events local in OKC and in California where she supports and consults with her bay area customers. She hopes to show you the value of technology and how it can transform you and your job.

How to be more productive in the workforce using your computer

Inside Sales Medium Business, Dell Technologies

Tennille Whiteman, SHRM-CP

Tennille Whiteman (SHRM-CP) is a Training and Development Specialist at American Fidelity. She provides training in communication, conflict management, team building, workplace appreciation and personal development. Tennille is a certified Franklin Covey Facilitator in multiple courses. Tennille builds online course curriculum and helps colleagues learn how to deal with change. After college, she spent seventeen years in education and developed other educators before moving into the corporate sector to work with adults. Tennille graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Education. She earned her Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional designation and is currently working towards an MBA. She believes that investing in training and development increases employee retention and makes the company more successful.

Managing Your Career

Training Associate, American Fidelity Assurance Company