Tulsa Tech Board of Education Members Are Honored for Dedication and Service
News From Tulsa Tech By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
January was School Board Recognition Month, giving local schools and communities an opportunity to honor the more than 2,700 elected school board members for their untiring dedication to children and schools. Tulsa Tech faculty and staff celebrated and recognized Board of Education members during their monthly board meeting on Jan. 26.
At Tulsa Tech, our board members not only must develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues impacting the entire community, they also bear responsibility for over 500 employees, six campuses, and over 58,000 students annually in full-time, part-time, as well as corporate training classes. We’re very proud of the board members who help guide our district and the impact each individual has on our community and region.
Monroe Nichols, Zone 1
Monroe Nichols is the chief operations officer at IMPACT!Tulsa. Prior to IMPACT!Tulsa, Nichols worked at the Tulsa Regional Chamber as the director of business retention and expansion, the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech where he managed over $4 million annually in state incentive funds for new and growing Oklahoma companies. Nichols has experience in management, strategic planning and communications and has an exemplary record as an administrator. Monroe has been the recipient of numerous awards including a United States Department of Justice Award for Public Service.
Rick Kibbe, Zone 2
Rick Kibbe has been in education for 34 years, 26 of which have been in administration. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Rick has been superintendent at Catoosa Public Schools for the past seven years. During this time, he has been named the District 6 Oklahoma Association of School Administrators Superintendent of the year for the 2008-09 and the 2010-11 school years. Rick is also active in his community as a member of the Catoosa Economic Development Authority as well as a part of the Catoosa Chamber of Commerce.
Tim Bradley, Zone 3
Tim Bradley was an instructor at Tulsa Tech for 25 years, is a parent of a student who attended Tulsa Tech, and was also president of the Tulsa Tech’s Teachers’ Association. Bradley taught the plumbing trade for 26 years, serving one year at Tri-County Tech in Bartlesville prior to being hired at Tulsa Tech by Dr. Joe Lemley to teach the same program. He holds both a plumbing and mechanical contractors license and a plumbing inspectors license. Bradley retired from Tulsa Tech in June 2007. Bradley has been actively involved in the Plumbing Contractors Association of North Eastern Oklahoma and has served on the City of Tulsa Board of Plumbing Appeals.
Elizabeth Ellison, Zone 4
Elizabeth Ellison currently serves as the executive director of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation and is responsible for oversight and direction of the family’s foundation that focuses on education, entrepreneurialism and civic engagement. She is this year’s chair of Tulsa’s business model competition, the StartUp Cup Powered by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. Elizabeth has served on the board of Street School and chaired its successful Street School annual fundraiser, providing more than $100,000 in funds to support Tulsa’s alternative high school.
John Selph, Zone 5
John Selph serves as the president and of Volunteers of America. He also chairs the INCOG (Indian Nation Council of Governments) and the State Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, in addition to serving on other community boards. Selph began his career in public service at the Tulsa Boys’ Home in 1969 and later served as executive director until 1984 when he was elected to represent the people of District 2 as Tulsa County Commissioner.
Sharon Whelpley, Zone 6
Sharon Whelpley brings many years of experience and knowledge to the Tulsa Tech community. After retiring from Tulsa Tech following 12 years of service, Whelpley was elected to the Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education, where she provided 20 years of service to help guide a path for student success. An avid volunteer, Whelpley has served the Broken Arrow community through organizations and events such as Gatesway Balloon Festival, Tulsa Garden Center, Broken Arrow and the Broken Arrow School Foundation.
Dr. Jim Baker, Zone 7
Dr. Jim Baker manages a dual role in education, both as a long-time and successful marketing education coordinator/instructor for Jenks Public Schools and as the Zone 7 member of the Tulsa Tech Board since 1988. Baker’s background in education serves him well as a board member by providing the perspective of a practitioner in formulating policy-making decisions. Baker was named to the 2000 Oklahoma State School Boards Association All-State School Board, a select group of five board members chosen from the more than 3,500 across the state.
Tulsa Tech is both honored and fortunate to have the leadership, guidance, and vision provided by our outstanding Board of Education, and we thank each board member for helping all of our great students “Make Their Own Path.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality corporate training, or a challenging new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000, or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 02-02-2015
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