Business and People Notes October 2020

Mayor G.T. Bynum has named Cheri Harvell as the City of Tulsa’s Municipal Court Administrator effective Oct. 11. 
Harvell has been with the City of Tulsa for 18 years and has served in various roles, most recently as the Tulsa Police Department’s Administration Manager. Harvell is filling the director role that was vacated through a retirement. 
“Cheri Harvell has a proven track record of successfully managing not only people, but the budget for the entire police department,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I’m thankful Cheri has chosen to move her talents to Municipal Courts and for her willingness to take on a role that is essential to the public safety of our city.”
A manager of various projects and budgets, some of Harvell’s most notable accolades include preparing and managing TPD’s budget, which for FY21, is roughly $122 million. As TPD’s Administration Manager, Harvell oversees multiple payroll clerks and administrative assistants while developing requests for federal grants, managing contracts and preparing financial reports.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to continue to serve at the City of Tulsa Municipal Courts,” Harvell said. “I value my 15 years spent at TPD and look forward to serving Tulsans in this new role.”
Harvell holds a Master of Science in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. She holds an Employment and Training Professional Certification and a Group Career Guidance Specialist Certification – both from the University of Oklahoma.
Vicki Graves recently joined a Tulsa office of the financial services firm Edward Jones as a branch office administrator (BOA) trainee.
Graves has lived in Tulsa for two years.
The title of branch office administrator was adopted for this position at Edward Jones because of the wide range of responsibilities associated with the job.
“A branch office administrator is not only responsible for the daily operation of the branch, but also must provide top-level client service and marketing support for my activities,” said Craig Dietert, local financial advisor for the firm.
Graves must successfully complete the firm’s in-depth training program within six months to graduate from the trainee designation into the position of branch office administrator. The program consists of online modules that are grouped into study weeks.
Dietert added that he was impressed not only with Graves office skills and efficiency but also with her knowledge of the community. “I know she will be a terrific asset to our team as we strive to provide our clients unparalleled personal service,” Dietert said.
Dietert’s branch office is located at 9175 S. Yale Ave., Suite 120. He may be reached at 918-493-3136.
The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) accepted Conner & Winters lawyer, Hayley N. Stephens, into its 2020 cohort of the Inclusive Leadership Institute. This three-day, immersive training develops leaders who are informed and want to challenge diversity, creating a more inclusive workplace. 
“Hayley is an exceptional lawyer and has served the Tulsa community through many organizations. I’m very proud of the work she’s already done at the firm through our diversity and recruiting committees,” said Scott Hathaway, president of Conner & Winters.
Stephens joined Conner & Winters in 2015 as an associate immediately after law school. She primarily focuses her practice on commercial litigation and labor & employment law matters. She also serves on the firm’s diversity, business development, and recruitment committees, as well as assists with planning events for the firm’s Connecting Women initiative. Stephens was recently named to the inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list for 2021.
Outside of the office, she serves as a board member for Youth Services of Tulsa.
Stephens earned her Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2015 and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas in 2011 where she studied economics, political science, and African American studies.
Tulsa County Commissioner Stan Sallee has appointed William Tisdale to the Tulsa County Board of Adjustment effective Sept. 16.
“Mr. Tisdale is known throughout Tulsa County as a results-oriented and strategic leader who accomplishes positive outcomes in business and economic development,” said Sallee. “Appointing him to this board is a tremendous benefit to our citizens of Tulsa County.”
With nearly 30 years of work throughout Tulsa County, Tisdale will bring his extensive experience to the planning process.
“I am honored to be appointed to the board of adjustment during such an exciting time of development and community engagement in Tulsa County,” said Tisdale.
Hall Estill, with offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Denver and Northwest Arkansas, has announced the addition of two new associates, Blake Gerow and Jonathan Rogers, to the Tulsa and Oklahoma City offices, respectively.
“We are excited to have Blake and Jonathan join our team,” said Mike Cooke, managing partner for Hall Estill.
Gerow joins Hall Estill as an associate practicing energy and litigation law after receiving his J.D., with highest honors, from the University of Tulsa College of Law. While in law school, Gerow served as the executive notes editor for the Energy Law Journal, receiving the foundation of the Energy Law Journal Award for Editorial Excellence, and was vice president of the Renewable Energy and Environmental Law Society.
Rogers joins Hall Estill’s litigation team after receiving his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he served as Editor-In-Chief of the Oklahoma Law Review, volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, and was awarded the Comfort Scholarship. Upon graduation, Rogers was inducted into the National Order of Scribes.