2019 NWOK Women's Business SummitJoin us at this one-day event designed to encourage, support, and equip women in business throughout Northwest Oklahoma. We will learn from high-quality presenters on a variety of topics, network and gain exposure for our businesses, and cultivate profitable business connections. |
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SPEAKERS
Rita Aragon
Major General Rita Aragon is a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general. A native Oklahoman, Aragon has served as the first female commander of Oklahoma Air National Guard, the first female to command a state's Air National Guard, and the first female of American Indian ancestry to become a general officer. In addition, General Aragon also held the office as Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2011 to 2015.
Aragon has received numerous awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation, Army Commendation, Global War on Terrorism and Humanitarian Service Medal.
Major General Rita Aragon is a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general. A native Oklahoman, Aragon has served as the first female commander of Oklahoma Air National Guard, the first female to command a state's Air National Guard, and the first female of American Indian ancestry to become a general officer. In addition, General Aragon also held the office as Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2011 to 2015.
Aragon has received numerous awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation, Army Commendation, Global War on Terrorism and Humanitarian Service Medal.
Eric Benson
Eric Benson is the interim city manager of Shawnee OK. He has enjoyed careers in Municipal and Federal government and was a career US Navy officer for 30 years. He was previously the city manager at Enid for eight years.
During his three decades of active duty he flew F-14 Tomcats and commanded a fighter squadron, VF-41, as well as commanded the largest tactical air base in the United States, Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.
He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service by President George W Bush and served as the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the VA and the Deputy Director of the Selective Service System. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, and holds three Masters Degrees from Salve Regina College, the US Naval War College and Tufts University.
Eric Benson is the interim city manager of Shawnee OK. He has enjoyed careers in Municipal and Federal government and was a career US Navy officer for 30 years. He was previously the city manager at Enid for eight years.
During his three decades of active duty he flew F-14 Tomcats and commanded a fighter squadron, VF-41, as well as commanded the largest tactical air base in the United States, Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.
He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service by President George W Bush and served as the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the VA and the Deputy Director of the Selective Service System. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, and holds three Masters Degrees from Salve Regina College, the US Naval War College and Tufts University.
Cheri Ezzell
Cheri Ezzell, Executive Director of Community Development Support Association, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She is particularly interested in improving the quality of life for low-income families, with a focus on women and children. Ezzell has lived in Enid since 1984 and has served in numerous volunteer positions, including at the local level as an Enid City Commissioner, and as a member of the Autry Tech board, Garfield County Health Department board, Loaves and Fishes founding board member, and many other nonprofit boards. At the state level she has served as a member of the Oklahoma board of Career Tech, and the Oklahoma Merit Protection System. She has been recognized by the Enid Chamber of Commerce as the Business Person of the Year, and this year, Cheri was selected as the Pillar of the Plains recipient.
Cheri Ezzell, Executive Director of Community Development Support Association, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She is particularly interested in improving the quality of life for low-income families, with a focus on women and children. Ezzell has lived in Enid since 1984 and has served in numerous volunteer positions, including at the local level as an Enid City Commissioner, and as a member of the Autry Tech board, Garfield County Health Department board, Loaves and Fishes founding board member, and many other nonprofit boards. At the state level she has served as a member of the Oklahoma board of Career Tech, and the Oklahoma Merit Protection System. She has been recognized by the Enid Chamber of Commerce as the Business Person of the Year, and this year, Cheri was selected as the Pillar of the Plains recipient.
Donna Melchert
Donna is an ENVP and Independent Consultant with Arbonne She celebrates 20 years this year! Loving her corporate job but living paycheck to paycheck, Donna was praying for a plan B with travel and tax advantages. Already a fan of the products, 20 years ago she realized both time and money freedom were possible. She lives here in Oklahoma and Married with 3 kids.
Some of her accomplishments include ACE award, Circle of Excellence, and Sponsoring Stars. She is #53 Top Income Earner and a Million dollar a month achiever. Arbonne has given her family choices and a passion to Pay it Forward and Make a Difference!
Donna is an ENVP and Independent Consultant with Arbonne She celebrates 20 years this year! Loving her corporate job but living paycheck to paycheck, Donna was praying for a plan B with travel and tax advantages. Already a fan of the products, 20 years ago she realized both time and money freedom were possible. She lives here in Oklahoma and Married with 3 kids.
Some of her accomplishments include ACE award, Circle of Excellence, and Sponsoring Stars. She is #53 Top Income Earner and a Million dollar a month achiever. Arbonne has given her family choices and a passion to Pay it Forward and Make a Difference!
Martie Oyler
Martie Oyler, Regional Manager-Oklahoma Natural Gas, received her Bachelor and Master of Science from Oklahoma State University. She moved to Enid and joined the company shortly after receiving her Master’s.
Martie is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma and is currently serving on the Board of Directors. She is the current chair of the Autry Technology School Board and the Enid Regional Development Alliance. She serves on the board of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Oklahoma Academy, Enid Metro Commission, Joint Industrial Foundation and Denny Price Family YMCA. She is a past president of the Enid Rotary Club.
Martie was selected as Pillar of the Plains 2014 and is a past recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year honors. She served as the first female chairperson of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce and is a Journal Record 50 Making a Difference Circle of Excellence Honoree.
Martie Oyler, Regional Manager-Oklahoma Natural Gas, received her Bachelor and Master of Science from Oklahoma State University. She moved to Enid and joined the company shortly after receiving her Master’s.
Martie is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma and is currently serving on the Board of Directors. She is the current chair of the Autry Technology School Board and the Enid Regional Development Alliance. She serves on the board of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Oklahoma Academy, Enid Metro Commission, Joint Industrial Foundation and Denny Price Family YMCA. She is a past president of the Enid Rotary Club.
Martie was selected as Pillar of the Plains 2014 and is a past recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year honors. She served as the first female chairperson of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce and is a Journal Record 50 Making a Difference Circle of Excellence Honoree.
Joel Parker
Founding Principle, Teak Leadership Group and Author, “A Leader in the Mirror”
Joel Parker is a husband of 31 years to his wife, Linda, and a father of two adult children, Sarah and Preston. Since graduating from The University of Oklahoma in 1991, Joel has worked in many roles in small business including a small business owner. Later, he worked with a Fortune 100 company in sales and sales management as well as a Senior Analyst. Joel resigned from the corporate life in 2005 to start Parkco Management where he focused on consulting with Linda as she went on to build a large and thriving business. Joel then founded Teak Leadership Group in 2013 to support organizations and individuals in implementing leadership and growth strategies. With Teak, he develops and trains on original leadership methods and sales management tools. In 2018, driven by his faith and passion to help others, Joel published his Amazon Best Selling book “A Leader in the Mirror”.
Founding Principle, Teak Leadership Group and Author, “A Leader in the Mirror”
Joel Parker is a husband of 31 years to his wife, Linda, and a father of two adult children, Sarah and Preston. Since graduating from The University of Oklahoma in 1991, Joel has worked in many roles in small business including a small business owner. Later, he worked with a Fortune 100 company in sales and sales management as well as a Senior Analyst. Joel resigned from the corporate life in 2005 to start Parkco Management where he focused on consulting with Linda as she went on to build a large and thriving business. Joel then founded Teak Leadership Group in 2013 to support organizations and individuals in implementing leadership and growth strategies. With Teak, he develops and trains on original leadership methods and sales management tools. In 2018, driven by his faith and passion to help others, Joel published his Amazon Best Selling book “A Leader in the Mirror”.
Kelly Tompkins
Kelly is the Director of Main Street Enid and Owner of Hive Appeal.
As the Director of Main Street Enid, Kelly's efforts, along with staff, board members, partners and volunteers, have advanced the revitalization of downtown Enid since 2012, through marketing, design, events, creative placemaking, community partnerships, public art and historic preservation.
As the owner of Hive Appeal, Kelly and her husband help places appeal to more people with marketing, placemaking, and murals. They love getting people involved and helping them be part of their community!
Kelly is the Director of Main Street Enid and Owner of Hive Appeal.
As the Director of Main Street Enid, Kelly's efforts, along with staff, board members, partners and volunteers, have advanced the revitalization of downtown Enid since 2012, through marketing, design, events, creative placemaking, community partnerships, public art and historic preservation.
As the owner of Hive Appeal, Kelly and her husband help places appeal to more people with marketing, placemaking, and murals. They love getting people involved and helping them be part of their community!
