CELEBRATE 47 years of
community
OKC FRIDAY okcfriday.com
Copyright © Nichols Hills Publishing Co., Inc.
facebook.com/okcfriday
Vol. 55 No. 8 • Five Sections 48 Pages July 2, 2021
50 Most Powerful Oklahomans
1. BILL ANOATUBBY Governor, Chickasaw Nation
2. CLAY BENNETT OKC Thunder Chairman, CEO, Dorchester Capital
3. DAVID HOLT Mayor, Oklahoma City
4. DAVID RAINBOLT Executive Chairman, BancFirst Corp.
Big three continue to rank at the top By Vicki Clark Gourley Publisher Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Thunder owner Clay Bennett and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt continue to be voted the Most Powerful Oklahomans in OKC FRIDAY’s poll of state leaders. BancFirst’s David Rainbolt edged Tricia Everest out of the number four spot by one vote. Judy Love moved up three spots and Sue Ann Arnall moved into the top 10 for the first time. U.S. Representative Tom Cole and Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm fell out of the top 10, but not far. Senator James Lankford and Larry Nichols ranked nine and 10, respectively. Governor Kevin Stitt received 30 percent fewer votes than Anoatubby, but still did better than last year. Votes shifted and shuffled from the 2020 poll. Burns Hargis dropped precipitously after announcing his retirement from OSU. We predict he will be back. Several new additions to the list are noted on the following pages. #1. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby is praised by business and nonprofit leaders as one of the smartest, most generous and nicest men they have ever known. There have been many suggesting he should run for the Governor of
Oklahoma. #2. Clay Bennett. OKC loves its Thunder and even an empty arena policy and trying to lose did not change that. Clay Bennett is second only to Anoatubby in the state’s power ranking. #3. OKC Mayor David Holt continues to move the city forward with MAPS projects and other initiatives to attract new businesses. He pays equal attention to the quality of life for all citizens. He was only one vote short of tying with Bennett. #4. David Rainbolt is not only a wise, talented banker, he also donates much of his time and money to major nonprofits for the betterment of the community. #5. Tricia Everest was recently appointed by the Governor as Secretary of Public Safety. This forced her to resign from the Jail Trust, and is probably limiting her formerly full-time volunteer work at Palomar and the Family Justice Center. We can’t wait to see what she can do in her new role. #6. Judy Love served as co-chairman of the 2020 United Way Drive, which raised a record amount. She and her co-chair Mike Turpen are known as the best nonprofit fundraisers in the state. Her generosity and enthusiasm elevate her to the See POWER on Page 2
5. TRICIA EVEREST Attorney, Sec. of Public Safety
6. JUDY LOVE Philanthropist, Community Volunteer
7. SUE ANN ARNALL President, Arnall Family Foundation
8. KEVIN STITT Governor, State of Oklahoma
9. JAMES LANKFORD U.S. Senator, State of Oklahoma
10. LARRY NICHOLS Co-founder Devon Energy, Civic Leader
INSIDE
Nonprofit community feels optimism, Page B1 Next Generation of Most Powerful, Pages C1-C6 Tourism is bouncing back, Pages D1-D2 Education adapts to the times, Page E1-E2
Fridayland to parade love for the red, white & blue! By Elyssa Gerstel Student Intern The Fourth of July is this Sunday and there are a variety of activities and celebrations for Fridaylanders to enjoy.
Nichols Hills is celebrating its 60th annual Ann Taylor Nichols Hills Fourth of July Celebration at Kite Park, which is located at the intersection of Bedford and Huntington this Saturday, July 3. The parade begins at
9 a.m. and attendees are encouraged to dress up in costume and to bring decorated bikes and their families, said Wiley Hugos, parade chairman. Prizes are awarded for the best-decorated bicycle.
Furthermore, there is an antique car show included in the parade. After the parade, there are games and The Nichols Hills Band plays patriotic music. There are also usually exotic reptiles, including a
python snake, Wiley said. Red White & Boom, sponsored by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, happens this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The events take place at See FOURTH, Page 7
