People of Vision

By Julie Wenger Watson

TOM BIOLCHINI

Chair of the family-owned Vast Bank, Biolchini is also an avid outdoorsman, film buff and collector, with a passion for screen-used movie props. Recently, Biolchini added a new role as chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. The lifelong Tulsan brings his enthusiasm for the city and its community to the position, with plans to continue the Chamber’s efforts to recruit and retain businesses in Tulsa.

“Tulsa needs to think big and carry itself with confidence, continually reinvesting in itself and never calling it quits,” he said.

As chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, what is your primary focus for 2023? First and foremost, it’s the continuation of what the Chamber started in terms of business retention and recruitment. I think that’s key. It’s also going to be very important over the next year to focus on the homeless and the lack of affordable housing in Tulsa.

What are some of the bigger challenges for the Chamber in 2023 and beyond? It’s going to continue to be education and workforce development. That’s always a hot topic because it’s important. I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in Tulsa’s history since the oil boom of the ’20s and ’30s that we’ve had so much national attention in terms of economic development and opportunities in Tulsa. It’s a great thing, but we need to have the workforce to support that. In a perfect world, we’ll create an environment that our children will want to return to, not just to be with us, but because Tulsa has so much opportunity.

What does your role at the Chamber mean to you personally? I’ve been involved with the Chamber for close to eight years. To me, it’s an honor, and I take it pretty seriously. I was born and raised here, and Tulsa has given my family so much. This is a way for me to use my skills to give back to the city.

Francisco Trevi O

In 1978, at the age of 11, Treviño moved with his family from his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico, to Tulsa. At 19, he was already volunteering as a translator at Dolores Huerta (then Columbus) Elementary School.

“I saw that as my first activity as a volunteer in the community, and it just grew from there,” Treviño said. He helped found the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and revived the Hispanic Festival in downtown Tulsa through 2008.

Treviño and his wife, Margarita Vega-Treviño, are coowners of Vega and Treviño Consultants, a bilingual marketing and PR firm. Since 2018, he has led Casa de la Cultura, a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of the Hispanic arts in Tulsa.

What would you like people to know about Tulsa’s Hispanic communities? I think people don’t really know how to cater to the Hispanic community and other ethnic communities. For example, non-Hispanics think they can say something in Spanish and cater to all of the Hispanic community, and that’s not the case. You might say one thing, but the Venezuelan community will understand that differently, or the Guatemalan community will understand it differently. They think all Hispanics are Mexicans, and we’re not. The Hispanic community is very diverse. You have Venezuelans. You have Guatemalans. You have Hondurans. You have people from the Caribbean. The message needs to be more neutral, so everybody can understand it as one.

What are some thoughts on Tulsa heading into 2023? We still need to be more inclusive on many things. It’s always nice to talk about being diverse, but it takes commitment, too. Tulsa is a very welcoming city, especially with the current atmosphere nationwide. Tulsa is totally different than other cities that are not really open to immigrant communities. In the organizations in town that are helping these communities, I’d still like to see more inclusiveness in the board members. They need more “spice” in the sauce.

Molly Jarvis

Jarvis is the senior vice president of cultural tourism and economic development for Cherokee Nation Businesses. An Oklahoma State University graduate who was born and raised in Tulsa, Jarvis joined what was then called Cherokee Nation Enterprises in 2002. During her career, she’s worked in everything from business development and project management to directing marketing for the casinos.

“I think a common theme is that I really enjoy linking things together, and connecting people and networking — all the connections that come with living in Tulsa, being raised here and having a family here,” Jarvis said. Can you tell me a little about your involvement in the community? I’ve always had a background in and a passion for youth and youth development. When I got to OSU, I really yearned for that community and service connection, so I began a mentor relationship through Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’ve continued to volunteer for that organization since college. Today I serve on the statewide board.

That passion extends to my service to the YMCA with its focus on healthy lifestyle, community involvement and healthy avenues for youth development. I also serve on the board of trustees for Tulsa Community College. TCC provides educational opportunities to youth in the Tulsa area for a great quality education right here.

I’m also a board member for the OKPOP Foundation and serve on the board of trustees for Riverfield Country Day School.

What are you currently working on? Cherokee Nation Businesses recently opened a meat processing operation. This was a large project for me personally because I had no background in it. But I’ve learned a lot over the last year. This project was born out of a need for food security that Cherokee Nation saw during the pandemic. It’s called 1839 Cherokee Meat Co. 1839 is the year the Cherokee Nation signed a new constitution uniting the Nation, post-Removal.