April 17, 2015
Contact: Brent Ortolani, 918-695-7078
United Way Campaign Volunteers Meet for First Time
Community leaders from a broad spectrum of business and industry sectors recently assembled for the first time to begin preparations for the 2015 Tulsa Area United Way campaign.
Nearly 50 members of the Campaign Cabinet, which leads the annual United Way campaign for the community, gathered to begin planning this year’s campaign.
“Each of you has stepped up to take a major leadership role in your community,” said Ted Haynes, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, who is serving as the Chair of the 2015 United Way campaign.
The campaign officially begins in August and concludes on Nov. 12, although several Trailblazer companies will conduct their campaigns early this summer.
The team leaders of this year’s campaign are Steve and Marla Bradshaw, Bank of Oklahoma and community volunteer; Aaron Fulkerson, Schnake Turnbo Frank; Curtis Dinan, ONE Gas, Inc.; Matt Pivarnik, Tulsa Regional Chamber; Anita Holloway, Ernst and Young, LLP; and Lee Eslicker, D&L Oil Tools.
“These dedicated individuals have already begun to prepare for the campaign,” said Mark R. Graham, President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “Each member of the cabinet is committed to developing the resources necessary to building a better community and improving the lives of our friends and neighbors.”
Members of the Campaign Cabinet includeLeadership Team Chairs: Steve and Marla Bradshaw;Foundations: Maggie Yar, Hille Family Foundation; Indviduals/Direct Mail: Mark Jennemann, Bullseye Database Marketing; Labor: David Ratcliff, CWA Local 6012; Loaned Executives: Steve and Marla Bradshaw; Marketing: Mercedes Millberry Fowler, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma; Alexis de Tocqueville Society: Betsy and Gerry Jackson, Hall Estill and Crowe and Dunlevy; Trailblazers: Caron Lawhorn, ONE Gas, Inc.; Emerging Leaders Society: Dave Shirley, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma; Women’s Leadership Council: Paula Huck, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
Team Chair: Aaron Fulkerson, Schnake Turnbo Frank; Non-Profits: John Wolfkill, KIPP: Tulsa College Preparatory; Tribal: Jacque Hensley, Department of Human Services; Combined Federal Campaign: Jeff Callison, United States Postal Service; State Charitable Campaign: Chris Benge, Oklahoma Secretary of State; Bristow: Skye McNiel, Tulsa Regional Chamber; Okmulgee: Aaron Abbott, Covington Aircraft; and Sapulpa: Sarah McCormick, American Heritage Bank.
Team Chair: Curtis Dinan, ONE Gas, Inc.; Energy: Kevin Burdick, ONEOK; Energy Services: Tina York, Helmerich and Payne, Inc.; Healthcare: Rick Kelly, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma; Insurance: Stephania Grober, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma; Team Chair: Matt Pivarnik, Tulsa Regional Chamber; Business/Retail: Cathy Wilson, Bank of Oklahoma; Construction/Real Estate: Mark Thompson, Bank of Oklahoma; Finance: Stacy Kymes, Bank of Oklahoma; and Hospitality: Sam Farris, QuikTrip Corporation.
Team Chair: Anita Holloway, Ernst & Young, LLP; Attorneys: Teresa Burkett, Conner & Winters, LLP; Accountants: Kevin Gore, BKD, LLP; Cities: Phil Lakin and Jeannie Cue, Tulsa City Council; County: John Smaligo and Linda Johnston, Tulsa County Board of Commissioners and Social Services; and Education: Keith Ballard, Tulsa Public Schools.
Team Chair: Lee Eslicker, D and L Oil Tools; Aerospace: Basil Barimo, NORDAM; Comm-Tech: Bill Masterson, Tulsa World Media Company; Manufacturing: Kevin Cavanaugh, Matrix Services Company; Port of Catoosa: Clint Herring, Terra Nitrogen, a CF Industries Company; and Transportation: Dave Croteau, Jim Norton Chevrolet.
In the past 91 years, the Tulsa Area United Way has invested nearly $700 million in the Tulsa area. The local United Way provides services to more than 550,000 individuals annually through its 60 partner agencies in Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Rogers, Wagoner and Tulsa counties. For more information, call 918-583-7171 or visit
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