The following is an alphabetical list of award-winning OAOA members who have been recognized for outstanding dedication to OAOA in the form of leadership, service, or longevity.

 

ADKINS, J. SCHELLON

OAOA Offices held: Secretary (2007 - 2008);  Vice President (2008 - 2009); President (2009 - Current) 

OAOA Honors and Awards:   Appreciation to the President (2010)

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ARNOT, IMOGENE

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (1995): Appreciation Award (1999); Honorary Member 

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BARNARD, BOB

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Co-Founder of OAOA (1983); Corporate Champ (1990); 1st Pioneer Award (2000), Corporate Champ (2006) 

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BATEY, DANA

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation Award (1996)

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BATEY, LOIS

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (1993)

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BENGE, JOYCE

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (2000); Atta Girl (2009)

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BICE, FRANK

 Frank Bice is co-owner of LBR Inc., Airport Consultants.  He is an active OAOA member, having been involved with the planning of every annual conference since the inaugural event at Quartz Mountain in 1987.  He provided creative design and layout for most of the conference program guides and event posters and signage.  Frank is a recipient of the Attaboy Award, the Pioneer Award and his company received two Corporate Champ Awards.

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Corporate Champ (1991); Atta Boy (1999); Pioneer Award (2003); Corporate Champ (2005) ; Atta Boy (2010)

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BLACKSHARE, DEREK

OAOA Offices held:  Corporate Director

OAOA Honors and Awards: Corporate Champ (Cinnabar Environmental Services) (2003); Corporate Champ (Blackshare Environmental Solutions) (2008) 

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BROWN, CURTIS

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Corporate Champ (2007); Atta Boy (2009)

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BRYANT,  CHRIS

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Atta Boy (2010)

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CANNIZZARO, CARL

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Corporate Champ (1999); Corporate Champ (2004) 

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COOKS, STEVEN

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2001)

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CORNELL, DON

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Airport Director/Airport of the Year (2008)

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COUGHLAN, DEBRA

Debra Coughlan DuCharme began her aviation career at the Lubbock International Airport, Lubbock, Texas, in 1976, as the Administrative Secretary to the Aviation Director, Marvin Coffee. She and her new husband moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in January, 1981, where he was enrolled in the Spartan School of Aeronautics. Debra was lucky enough to have been recommended to the Tulsa Airport Authority by Mr. Coffee, and thus continued her aviation career beginning in February, 1981, under the direction of Richard Ballenger.

She worked as the receptionist (issued security badges and parking permits) /assistant to Ops. Mgr. (Gary Curtis)/assistant to Administrative Assistant (Imogene Arnot) for a short while then moved to the Engineering Division, under Carl Cannizzaro. After Carl left the TAA, Brent Kitchen headed up the Engineering Division for a while, then Kinney Baxter came to work as the Deputy Director of Engineering and Brent became Airports Director. In 1992, Imogene Arnot, Debra’s mentor, enlisted Debra into the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, to help run the registration booth at their annual conference. From that time on Debra was happily involved in OAOA. Debra assisted Jan Mauritson, Executive Director of OAOA, with many of the day-to-day duties of the Executive Director.

In 1997, when then- Executive Director Jan Mauritson became ill, Debra carried out the duties of the Executive Director and the planning of the 1998 conference at Western Hills. The Board invited her to become the new Executive Director. Brent Kitchen and Kinney Baxter gave her their full support and encouragement. Every request she made to them was welcomed with “go for it.”  She resigned as Executive Director in 2006 and retired from TAA in 2007. She was designated as an Honorary Member of OAOA in 2007, and still enjoys her involvement with the Conference Planning Committee.

Debra received a degree in Business Administration from Tulsa Community College. She is a member of Executive Women International. She was divorced in 1987 and married Frenchie DuCharme in 2000.

OAOA Offices held: Executive Director of OAOA (1998 -2006)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (1994); Appreciation Award (1998); Appreciation Award (2006); Honorary Member

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CUNNINGHAM, JOE (deceased)

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation Award (1993)

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DuCHARME, FRENCHIE

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (1994); Atta Boy (2002) 

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EDWARDS, ALLAN

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2001)

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EDWARDS, JIM

OAOA Offices held: President (1995-1996)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President (1996)

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HALL, TERRY

Terry Hall is a past-president of OAOA and has served as the manager of the Ada Municipal Airport since September, 1996. A pilot since the age of 16 when he learned to fly in his dad's Cessna 170, Terry joined the City of Ada after a successful career in the U.S. Navy. Terry is a member of t he Ada Rotary Club and serves as the announcer for the Ada Air Expo. Under his leadership, the Ada Municipal Airport was awarded OAOA's Airport of the Year in 1999.

OAOA Offices held: President (2002-2003)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President (2003); Airport Manager of the Year (2009) 

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HARGETT, GEORGE

George Hargett was born in Chicago, IL.  He graduated from high school there and immediately enlisted in the US Army Reserve (active).  After a short stint at Fort Leonard Wood, MO., he transferred to the US Air Force (USAF) in early 1957.   Through late 1959, he was a aircrew member on the forerunner of AWACS and then became an air traffic controller.  He held positions of increasing levels of responsibility during the next 19 years, including Chief Controller, a member of the USAF ATC Analysis Team in both the CONUS  and Europe. He also served as the Senior Air Traffic Controller Advisor to the Government of Iran prior to the fall of the Shah.  George retired from active duty in  early 1978.

Upon retirement, he returned to college at Oklahoma City University where he earned his BS Degree in Management with a major in aviation.  He is also a graduate of the College Business Management Institute at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Prior to graduating, George was hired from a  national field of 144 candidates to become the  Manager of Max Westheimer Field and Swearingen Research Park at the University of Oklahoma (OU).  He was also selected to hold the additional duty of Assistant Director of Auxiliary Service for several years.

During his nearly 20 yrs at OU, he was responsible for turning what was termed  “the University junk yard” into one of the finest airports in the state.  He did this without financial support from either OU or the City of Norman.  He obtained more grant money in roughly 15 years than had been received by OU in the previous 30 yrs.  He also was responsible for construction of an air traffic control tower (ATCT) entirely without federal aid.  Eventually, he obtained federal funding for the operation of the ATCT making  it the first one to be so funded in OK which had not previously been an FAA facility.  Additionally, he assisted in getting ODOT to construct two miles of  a four lane arterial street through the west side of the airport making future development possible.

The airpark was highlighted through being named Facility of the Year by the National Association of Installation Developers (NAID).  George later served as President of NAID.

He gives great credit for his success to people like Dr. David LanKford, Bob Smith, Norm Scroggins and other members of the FAA, Dana Batey of the OAC, as well as his superior staff. 

Among his staff were Pauline Richardson, Past President of OAOA, Scott Keith, Past President of OAOA and Ann Summers, Past President of NAID.  It goes without saying, he receive great support from people in the OU hierarchy, without which his job would not have been possible.

Firms now known as   Barnard Dunkelberg &Co,  LBR, Inc. CH2M Hill and MacArthur, Inc.,were instrumental in rebuilding efforts producing forward thinking master plans and engineering quality beyond expectations.  Many people have worked for those firms over the years, but the quality  has always remained top notch! 

George most recently came out of retirement to be of assistance to OAOA as Chairman of the Past Presidents Committee and a member of the Conference Committee.

He was a member of the Norman Rotary Club and is a 32nd degree  Mason. 

He retired as Administrator, University  Airpark (research park and airport) in early 1998.

George is married to his wonderful wife Chris and they have seven children.  Both being surviving spouses, they are a true testimony that yours, mine and ours can work!

OAOA Offices held: Vice President (1983-1986); President (1987-88)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Co-Founder of OAOA (1983); Appreciation to the President (1988); Airport of the Year (1989); Airport of the Year (1995); Honorary Member; Pioneer Award (2008); Atta Boy (2009) 

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HERRINGTON, JOHN,

OAOA Honors and Awards: Heritage Award (1st) (2009)

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HOUGH, JEFF, P.E.

As Deputy Director, Engineering and Facilities for the Tulsa Airport Authority, Jeff Hough is responsible for Capital Improvements, Facilities Maintenance, Master Planning, and Engineering Services for both Tulsa International Airport and R.L. Jones, Jr. Airport. In this capacity he manages a staff of 90, an annual operating budget of approximately $9 million, and a 5-Year Capital Improvement Program typically valued well in excess of $100 million. Prior to assuming his current position in 2003, Jeff served as Airport Facilities Engineer and managed a wide variety of construction projects associated with the airport’s taxiways, building expansions, electronic systems, and the ongoing noise mitigation program surrounding Tulsa International Airport.

Prior to joining airport staff in 2000, Jeff provided consulting services for various municipalities in Oklahoma. He started his municipal career as the Public Works Director for the City of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and served in that capacity for over 10 years. Prior to that, he served as a Civil Engineering Officer in the United States Air Force. Jeff continued to serve in the active Air Force Reserves at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, until July 2003 when he retired with the rank of major. His formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Jeff is active in a variety of professional organizations, including: the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Oklahoma and has attained Certified Membership with AAAE.

He and his wife, Jill, have two “canine” children. The family enjoys gardening and the restoration of their 1930’s home in Tulsa. Jeff is a private pilot with over 200 hours of pilot in command time.

OAOA Offices held: President (2007-2008) 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President (2008)

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JOHNSON, GARY

OAOA Offices held: President (1991-1992); Secretary (2009-2010); Vice President (2010-2011) 

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Appreciation to the President (1992); Pioneer Award (2005); "Atta Boy" (2009); President's  Appreciation Award (2009) 

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KEITH, SCOTT

Scott Keith was recently named the Assistant Director of Airports for the City of Oklahoma City with management responsibilities for Will Rogers, Wiley Post and Clarence E. Page Airports. Scott previously served for over five (5) years in the position of the General Aviation Manager for the City of Oklahoma City with day to day management responsibility for Wiley Post and Clarence E. Page Airports.

Scott is a native Oklahoman who grew up in the small town of Collinsville just north of Tulsa. His grandfather worked for American Airlines and Scott would routinely accompany his grandfather to the Tulsa International Airport to watch airplanes. His fondness for aviation grew from those visits to the airport, as well as an airplane ride Scott took with his other grandfather when he was just six years old. Scott decided to make aviation his career, so he attended Oklahoma State University and received a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Management and a Masters in Aviation and Space Administration. While attending Oklahoma State, Scott obtained a Private Pilot License, completed commercial pilot ground school and began instrument flight training.

Scott started his airport management career as an intern at Ponca City Regional Airport while attending Oklahoma State. While working on his Masters Degree he was hired at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman, where he served as Manager of Airport Operations and Airport Operations Officer for four (4) years. Scott left Norman and went to the State of Missouri for three (3) years and served as the Airport Manager for the City of Osage Beach, with oversight of two airports and the Fixed Base Operations (FBO).

Scott is currently the Immediate Past President of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association. He serves as the State of Oklahoma Director for The South Central Chapter of American Association of Airport Executives, and is on the General Aviation Airports Committee for The National American Association of Airport Executives.

OAOA Offices held: President (2006-2007) 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2000); Appreciation to the President (2007); Atta Boy (2008) 

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KELLY, MARY (deceased)

OAOA Offices held: President (1988-1989)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President (1989)

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KITCHEN, BRENT

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Atta Boy (1995); Atta Boy (1999); Pioneer Award (2002)

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KRANENBURG, MARK

Mark Kranenburg is the Director of Airports for the City of Oklahoma City’s Department of Airports.  He returns to the Oklahoma City Department of Airports after a four-year absence having been the Assistant Director of San Bernardino County’s six general aviation airports and the Director of Riverside Airport in Southern California.  Mr. Kranenburg began his civilian career in aviation as an Airport Operations Officer at Will Rogers World Airport in 1993.  Later he served as the General Aviation Manager managing the operations and maintenance of Wiley Post and Clarence E. Page Airport’s from 1994 through 2002.  Mr. Kranenburg holds a degree in Aviation Management, is an Accredited Member of the American Association of Airport Executives who serves on AAAE's Policy Review Committee and is a past President and Legislative Chairman of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association.  Mr. Kranenburg also served as an air traffic controller both in the United States Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration.

OAOA Offices held: President (1999-2000)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (1998);  Appreciation to the President (2000); Atta Boy (2001); Airport Director/Airport of the Year (2007) 

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LANKFORD, DAVID

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation Award (1988); Honorary Member 

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LANKFORD, PAM

OAOA Offices held: Executive Director of OAOA (2007 - Present)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (2004); President's Appreciation Award (2009); President's Appreciation Award (2010) 

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LEARD, TERRY

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Pioneer Award (2001)

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LINGLE, JIMMY

OAOA Offices held: President (1993-1994)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1994); Honorary Member 

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LYNN, GARY

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Atta Boy (2010)

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MADISON, KEN

OAOA Offices held: President (1997-1998)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1998)

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MAURITSON, JAN (deceased)

OAOA Offices held:  President (1990-1991)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (1989); Appreciation to the President Award (1991); Appreciation Award (1997); Honorary Member 

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McNALLY, BARBARA

OAOA Offices held:  President (2001-2002)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (2002); Airport of the Year (2010); Airport Manager of the Year (2010) 

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MORTON, TOM (deceased)

OAOA Offices held: President (1996-1997) 

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Appreciation to the President Award (1997)

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MULLANEY, RICK

Rick Mullaney is originally from Richardson, Texas and graduated with
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and a minor in management from
Texas A&M Commerce,Texas then called East Texas State. He started his
career in airport management at El Reno, Oklahoma in September 1986 and
has served ever since. When hired amongst 18 other applicants, he was
handed a weed eater in a council meeting and told "congratulations,
your our new airport manager."  He is a commercial multi engine instrument
rated pilot with over 5000hrs in many makes and model aircraft.
  Hobbies include hunting and fishing, Amateur Radio, golf, boating, and cars not
necessarily in that order. Rick is married to Sharon from Daingerfield,
Texas for 30 years and together have 4 children (2 boys) and (2 girls).
 All are in college except one junior in high school.

Rick has been a member of OAOA since 1987.  He was president of OAOA in 1998 -
1999 (lucky 13th) and served in all the chairs including legislative
committee. 

His goals are to serve out his career at the El Reno Regional Airport and see the airport improve its infrastructure and bring in more businesses locating on the airport and put a new terminal building in place.

OAOA Offices held: President (1998-1999) 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1999); Airport of the Year (2004)

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MURPHREE, LEO, Jr. 

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Corporate Champ (1995); Pioneer Award (2009) 

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MUSHRUSH, STEVE

Steve has been employed by the Tulsa Airport Authority either at Tulsa International Airport or Richard Lloyd Jones, Jr. Airport since January of 1981.  He is presently the superintendent at Jones Airport and has been involved with OAOA since the 1987 spring conference.  He is presently OAOA northeast regional director.

OAOA Offices held: Northeast Regional Director

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (1994); Atta Boy (2008) 

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NUZUM, DON

OAOA Offices held:  Secretary (); Vice President (1988-1989); President (1989-1990)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1990); Airport of the Year (2005) 

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PINSON, LYNN

Lynn Pinson has been on staff at the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission since June 1999.  He began work at OAC as Project Manager for Western Oklahoma and is presently the FAA 5010/Airports Safety and Standards Inspector for all General Aviation Airports in Oklahoma.  He also assists other staff members in the planning and programming of airport improvement projects.   Lynn has been involved in aviation for over 50 years, has been a licensed pilot since 1975, and currently owns a 1947 Cessna 120.

He farmed and raised cattle for 30 years, was manager of the Frederick Municipal Airport for 15 years, a Past President of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, has served on numerous boards and aviation advisory committees, and is a member of the AOPA, EAA, and ARRL.

He recently authored and published “Goin’ Up and Lookin’ Down”, a book about flying, airports, and pilots.

Lynn and his wife Nancy of 43 years live in Tipton, Oklahoma, have two grown daughters and four grandchildren.

OAOA Offices held: President (1992-1993) 

OAOA Honors and Awards:  Appreciation to the President Award (1993)

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POWELL, LARRY

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2003)

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RICHARDSON, PAULINE

Pauline served the University of Oklahoma for 23 years, 22 of that at the Max Westheimer Airport.  For approximately ten years, she held the position of Manager, Airport Operations.  She served several months as Acting Airport Manager prior to 1978, then worked with George Hargett until retirement in December, 1995.

As a charter member of OAOA, she was also one of the designers of the original logo Fly Oklahoma.

OAOA Offices held: President (1994-1995)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1995); Honorary Member 

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SCHOOLEY, JIM  (deceased)

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation Award (1989); Honorary Member 

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SCOTT, DAVID

OAOA Offices held: President (2003-2004); Central Regional Director (2008-2009) 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (2004)

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SELF, DELBERT

OAOA Offices held: President (1986-1987)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1987)

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SPLETH, DUARD  (deceased)

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Honorary Member

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STONE, PHIL

Phil is the Technology Maintenance Supervisor for the Tulsa Airport
Authority at both Tulsa International Airport and R.L.Jones Airport.  His
responsibilities include but are never limited to the various life safety,
security, communication and equipment control systems at both airports.
  He has been an active member of OAOA for ten years.  Recipient of the
"Atta Boy" award in 2002 for service as Technical Commitee chairman.
Secretary 2003-04, Vice-President 2004-05 and President 2005-06.  Phil's comment: "My
career has been greatly enriched by this organization."

OAOA Offices held: Secretary (2003-2004); Vice-President (2004-2005); President (2005-2006)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2002);  Appreciation to the President Award (2006) 

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STRONG, WALT

Administrator of the University of Oklahoma’s Max Westheimer Airport in Norman, Walt has also served as Airport Inspector and Deputy Director for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and had a twenty year Air Force career mostly in air traffic control radar approach controls (RAPCON’s) and control towers (ATCT’s).

Education includes an AA degree from Community College of the Air Force in Air Traffic Control; BA (Summa Cum Laude) in Human Resources Management from Southern Nazarene University, a MS in Aviation from Oklahoma State University with a 4.0 GPA and inclusion in Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. An Adjunct Faculty member in the University of Oklahoma’s Aviation Program, Walt has also served as President and Legislative Committee Chairman of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) and is currently Policy Board Chairman of the US Contract Tower Association (USCTA). He is an accredited member (AAE) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and also serves as Vice President for the South Central Chapter/AAAE. FAA certificates include Control Tower Operator and Private Pilot.

He remains joyfully married to Cherry, his first wife of 39 years.  They have two children and the six greatest grandchildren on the planet.  When spare time is available, he enjoys finger-style guitar, bass fishing and an occasional round of golf. 

OAOA Offices held: President (2004-2005)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (2005)

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TERRILL, BETH

OAOA Offices held: 

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Girl (2001)

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THRASH, JIM

Jim has been a life-long airplane nut.  He earned his pilot license in 1989 while attending Oklahoma State University for a BS in Aviation Management.  After college, Jim was a CFI, graduate student and teacher before returning to aviation in 2000 as an Operations/Police Officer at Tulsa International Airport.  In 2002, Jim became an Operations Officer at Will Rogers World Airport in OKC.  In 2005, Jim was promoted to Operations Manager of Will Rogers.

Jim has been married to his wife Julie for over 9 years and has two sons, five year old AJ and 3 year old JP.

OAOA Offices held: Central Regional Director (2004-2005); Secretary (2006-2007); Vice President (2007-2008); President (2008-2009)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Atta Boy (2005); Appreciation to the President (2009); Atta Boy (2010)

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VAN PELT, PETER

OAOA Offices held: Co-Founder of OAOA (1983); President (1983-1986)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (1987); Slowleak Award (1987); Pioneer Award (2007); Honorary Member; "Atta Boy" (2009) 

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WILLIAMS, ROBERT T.

OAOA Offices held: President (2000-2001); Treasurer (         - Present)

OAOA Honors and Awards: Appreciation to the President Award (2001); President's Appreciation Award (2010)

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YOUNG, REVERE

OAOA Offices held:

OAOA Honors and Awards: Honorary Member