Oklahoma Hall of Fame Elects New Board Chairman and Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY – DECEMBER 18, 2024 – The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board of Directors voted Bruce T. Benbrook of Woodward as its chairman. Benbrook will serve through December 2025, completing the term of Frank W. Merrick following his passing. Rebecca Dixon of Tulsa will remain Chair Emeritus.
Bruce T. Benbrook originally served as the Oklahoma Hall of Fame's chairman in 2020 and 2021 and since has been serving as a member of the organization's Chairman's Council. Benbrook is a graduate of Woodward High School and Oklahoma State University where he received his B.S. degree in finance. He has served as chairman & CEO of The Stock Exchange Bank since 1981. Benbrook has been a pillar of the Woodward community for decades, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Woodward Educational Foundation, Industrial Foundation, United Fund, and Lion’s Club. He was named Woodward’s Citizen of the Year in 1991.
Statewide, Benbrook has served as president of the Oklahoma Bankers Association, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, and OSU Alumni Association. Additionally, he has served as chairman of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, Leadership Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Tomorrow. Benbrook served two terms as State Highway Commissioner, and he currently serves on the board of OMRF.
In 2020 Benbrook was inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed by Oklahoma State University. In 2021, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Bankers Association Hall of Fame. Other recognitions include the Distinguished Alumni award from OSU, the Distinguished Leadership and Distinguished Graduate awards from Leadership Oklahoma, named one of the Top 100 Graduates from the OSU Spears School of Business, the American Red Cross “Community Hero” Award, the Most Admired CEOs Award from the Journal Record, and the Friend of Education award from the Woodward Education Association.
When stepping back into the role of Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board Chairman, Benbrook had these words to say:
"I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to serve… I'm doing this today certainly in honor of Frank and in honor of an organization that I truly believe in."
Benbrook discussed what the Oklahoma Hall of Fame means to him, with three words specifically coming to mind: investment, opportunity, and inspiration. He went on to give examples of how the board makes investments in the organization, in order to give people opportunities, and those opportunities turn into inspiration. He closed by saying,
"I know Frank would want us to go forward and make sure this organization is the best it can possibly be."
Supporting Benbrook will be the 2025 executive committee consisting of:
- Jennifer M. Grigsby, Chair-Elect, Edmond
- Steve Burrage, Treasurer, Antlers
- Bob Burke, Corporate Secretary, Oklahoma City
- Clayton I. Bennett, Executive Committee At Large, Oklahoma City
- Linda English Weeks, Executive Committee At Large, Norman
- Amanda Clinton, Vice Chairman, Northeast Zone, Rose
- Sam Combs, Vice Chairman, Tulsa Metro Zone, Tulsa
- Art Cotton, Vice Chairman, Oklahoma City Metro Zone, Oklahoma City
- Ken Fergeson, Vice Chairman, Southwest Zone, Altus
- Amy Anne Ford, Vice Chairman, Southeast Zone, Durant
- D. Scott Petty, Vice Chairman, Northwest Zone, Stillwater.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame added new directors to the board to fill vacant spots in six zones across the state. As a statewide organization, the board’s bylaws require representation from specified zones across Oklahoma. Newly elected board directors include:
- Michele Campbell Hockersmith, Durant, Southeast Zone
- Peter Regan, Tulsa, Tulsa Metro Zone
- Larry Rice, Claremore, Tulsa Metro Zone
- Anhna Vuong, Tulsa, Tulsa Metro Zone
- Meredith McCasland Woods, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Metro Zone.
Returning directors are as follows: Patrick Adams, Edmond; Steven C. Agee, Oklahoma City; Rita Aragon-Watson, Edmond; Jari Askins, Duncan; Chairman John A. “Rocky” Barrett, Shawnee; Chief Gary Batton, Durant; Patrick A. Brooks, Chickasha; Andre’ Caldwell, Oklahoma City; Jill Castilla, Edmond; Terri Cornett, Oklahoma City; Chad Dillingham, Enid; Stanley L. Evans, Oklahoma City; Cathryn Franks, Roosevelt; Anne M. Greenwood, Stillwater; AJ Griffin, Guthrie; Joe D. Hall, Elk City; Michelle Hardesty, Tulsa; Ann Hargis, Oklahoma City; Kim Henry, Edmond; Cathy Jameson, Davis; Jacqueline Price Johannsen, Tulsa; Hannibal B. Johnson, Tulsa; Mautra Staley Jones, Oklahoma City; Dian Jordan, Hochatown; Peggy Kates, Oklahoma City; Karen Keith, Tulsa; Kathy Laster, Shawnee; Greg Massey, Durant; Wes Milbourn, Oklahoma City; Mike Neal, Tulsa; Martie Oyler, Enid; Susan Chapman Plumb, Park Hill; Barry L. Pollard, Enid; Roger Ramseyer, Tulsa; Edie Roodman, Oklahoma City; Timila Rother, Norman; JoAnn Schaub, Afton; Suzanne Schreiber, Tulsa; Brandon D. Scott, Broken Arrow; Robyn Elliott Scribner, Ada; Renzi Stone, Oklahoma City; Lauren Warkentine, Oklahoma City; J.C. Watts, Jr., Norman; and Chad Wiginton, Altus.
The esteemed Chairman’s Council includes: Governor Bill Anoatubby, Ada; Calvin J. Anthony, Stillwater; Bruce T. Benbrook, Woodward; Clayton I. Bennett, Oklahoma City; Nevyle R. Cable, Jenks; Pat Henry, Lawton; Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma City; Roxana Lorton, Tulsa; Tom J. McDaniel, Oklahoma City; Frank W. Merrick (posthumous), Oklahoma City; Joe P. Moran III, Tulsa; Lee Allan Smith, Oklahoma City; and Mark A. Stansberry, Edmond.
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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame tells Oklahoma’s story through its people. From diverse statewide programming to the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the organization creates an enhanced sense of pride for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor extraordinary Oklahomans and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is recognized as Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. For more information, visit www.oklahomahof.com.
