GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Celebrating 125 years of creating a greater Oklahoma City ExperienceExperience YouYou CanCan Trust.Trust. CompleteComplete relationship relationship banking banking fromfrom Arvest Arvest Bank. Bank. ArvestArvest is is full-service full-service banking banking the the wayway it’s it’s meant meant to to be: be: KNOWLEDGEABLEKNOWLEDGEABLE APPROACHABLEAPPROACHABLE RESPONSIVERESPONSIVE RELIABLERELIABLE SeeSee for for your your self self at at any any of of our our 2828 Oklahoma Oklahoma City City locations. locations. (L (Lto to R) R) Ron Ron Witherspoon, Witherspoon, President President & &CEO CEO , Brad, Brad Krieger, Krieger, Chairman Chairman for for Arvest Arvest Greater Greater OKC, OKC, Becky Becky Franklin, Franklin, EVP, EVP, Sales Sales Manager, Manager, SteveSteve Hull Hull - EVP,- EVP, Loan Loan Manager, Manager, and and Don Don Gable Gable - Stillwater- Stillwater Community Community President President OklahomaOklahoma City City DelDel City City ChoctawChoctaw MooreMoore NormanNorman YukonYukon EdmondEdmond MidwestMidwest City City StillwaterStillwater CHAIRMAN’S LETTER TABLE OF CONTENTS A WORD FROM 2014 CHAIRMAN TIMELINE .................................................................1 PETE DELANEY ABOUT THE CHAMBER ..................................3 When the Board of Trade, the predecessor of the MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS .........................................4 Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, was formed in May 1889, the civic and business leaders who made up that ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ..........................5 committee knew Oklahoma City’s success was tied to TINKER AIR FORCE BASE ...............................7 its economy. In the ensuing 125 years, the Chamber and Oklahoma City have both experienced incredible ADVOCACY ...........................................................9 change. Gone is the dusty Western town that sprang into life on the Oklahoma LEGISLATIVE REFORM .....................................11 prairie, but in its place rose an unstoppable metropolitan area that has earned its success through unity and cooperation. COMMUNITY ........................................................13 At Oklahoma City’s beginning, the Chamber was pursuing opportunities that led BUILDING OKC’S IMAGE .................................15 to economic growth, building goodwill and cooperation between other cities and VISITORS ...............................................................17 organizations, and promoting Oklahoma City at a national level. As you read the 2014 Annual Report, you will find that many circumstances have changed, but the PROMOTING OKC ............................................. 19 Chamber’s efforts to drive Oklahoma City’s success remain steadfast. We work throughout the nation to bring economic development opportunities; we assist TALENT ..................................................................21 existing businesses to ensure their growth and prosperity; we give our business GROWING OUR WORKFORCE ...................23 community a voice in the political process; and we partner with our schools to prepare our children for their future careers. And we are seeing success. 2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ....................25 Today, the Chamber is reaping the rewards of 125 years of dedication while still 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ..................... 26 being guided by the same principles that drove innovation at our organization’s 2014 BOARD OF ADVISORS ........................27 beginning. Reflecting on our history is more than just indulging in nostalgia – it is an opportunity to prepare for what is ahead. Oklahoma City has the foundation 2014 LEAD INVESTORS ..................................32 for unlimited potential, and the Chamber’s brand is to take big dreams and turn them into reality. As we prepare for the next segment of our history, let’s continue AWARDS .............................................................. 34 to build on the dreams and victories of those who came before us. What we are accomplishing today is bigger than just our generation. We are writing Oklahoma City’s legacy for generations to come. 123 Park Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405.297.8900 | www.okcchamber.com May 1889 – The Board of Trade 1902 – The Oklahoma City April 22, 1889 – Oklahoma (now the Greater Oklahoma City 1890s – Board of Trade recruits Chamber of Commerce starts a City settled in historic land run Chamber) formed rail service and utilities to OKC drive toward statehood June 11, 1910 – State Capitol 1909 – Chamber recruits OKC’s 1907 – The State Fair of moves to OKC after a Chamber- first major industry – a meat Oklahoma founded in the Aug. 27, 1903 – The Chamber’s coordinated election packing plant Chamber boardroom first Goodwill Tour held 1920s – The aircraft industry takes flight; the Chamber 1923 – Chamber leads efforts 1911 – Chamber organizes organizes its aviation research to provide land for an airplane 1927 – OKC establishes its the city’s first parking plan committee hangar first passenger flights 1935 – Chamber leads bond April 1, 1932 – Chamber 1928 – Chamber helps clear 1941 – Chamber raises funds issue to build the City/County/ purchases land and provides train tracks and depots from to purchase Tinker Field Municipal complex staff for Will Rogers Airport downtown 1943 – Chamber successfully 1946 – CAA (now known as 1942 – Tinker Field chosen as recruits the Douglass Aircraft 1944 – Chamber promotes FAA) moves from Houston to the location for air depot Plant at Tinker Field bond issue to build Lake Hefner Oklahoma City OKC: 125 YEARS IN THE MAKING OKC: 1 July 2009 – The Oklahoma River is named an Dec. 8, 2009 – Chamber-led December 2013 – Oklahoma official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training MAPS 3 campaign is approved City celebrates MAPS 20th 2014 – Chamber and OKC Site for rowing and canoe/kayak by residents anniversary celebrate 125th anniversary October 2008 – The Oklahoma March 4, 2008 – Residents City Thunder begins its approve a Chamber-led initiative 2004 – The Ronald J. Norick inaugural season in Oklahoma to fund capital improvements for Downtown Library, the last MAPS 2003 – The Civic Center Music City an NBA team project, is completed Hall is renovated July 4, 1999 – The Bricktown 2002 – The Myriad Convention 1997 – The Bricktown Ball Park, Canal (originally proposed Nov. 13, 2001 – Oklahoma Center is renovated and renamed the first finished major MAPS by Chamber president Ray City approves the Chamber-led Cox Convention Center; Ford project, opens Ackerman) opens MAPS for Kids initiative Center is built Dec. 13, 1993 – OKC residents April 19, 1995 – The Alfred P. pass the Chamber-led 1972 – The Chamber Murrah Building in downtown Metropolitan Area Projects successfully recruits General 1972 – The City dedicates its Oklahoma City is bombed (MAPS) initiative Motors to OKC first convention center, the Myriad 1947-1948 – Chamber Late 1950s – The Chamber June 25, 1965 – Chamber forms the Urban Action successfully recruits the 1966 – Chamber leads efforts to negotiations make OKC one Foundation to fund the National Hall of Fame and of the central hubs for flight Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Western Heritage Center to fund expansions and renovations destinations Authority Oklahoma City to Will Rogers World Airport 2 ABOUT THE CHAMBER DRIVING OKLAHOMA CITY’S SUCCESS SINCE 1889 Oklahoma City was settled in a day, but its development is still a work in progress. Immediately following the city’s founding, The Board of Trade – the predecessor of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber – was formed to promote Oklahoma City. Since 1889, the Chamber has been the driving force behind the growth of the Oklahoma City area. At the city’s birth, the Chamber led the way in providing utilities to the community and extending the transportation options that allowed Oklahoma City to become the crossroads of the nation. The Chamber tirelessly pursued new industries and soon brought cotton compresses, flour mills and meat packing plants to the area. Historically, the Chamber has coordinated elections that have encouraged prosperity to Oklahoma City, including the statewide election that named Oklahoma City the state capital of Oklahoma. The early successes by the Chamber acted as a foundation that the city is still building upon today. While the landscape of the city has changed, the Chamber’s mission to be the voice of the business community and the visionary organization of the region has remained the same for 125 years. Our goals: To increase Greater Oklahoma City’s ability to rapidly seize new and expanding economic opportunities by: • Creating a business climate and positive image that are strong foundations for economic development • Attracting new businesses, supporting the growth of existing businesses and fostering entrepreneurship • Enhancing the region’s attractiveness for visitors and events • Ensuring the region’s talent base for the future through improvements in education and attraction/ retention of talent • Providing value-added opportunities and benefits to our membership • Supporting community efforts that enhance opportunities and amenities for residents 3 MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2014 • Chamber-assisted economic development projects created more than 6,500 new jobs with an average salary of $59,692. • The Chamber launched a new website, www.okcretail.com, to assist with the recruitment of retail to Oklahoma City. • The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Act was amended to allow all of the state’s military installations and their surrounding