Most Admired

Grace among Journal Record's Most Admired CEOs

The Journal Record has unveiled the list of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs for 2021, and OEC's own Patrick Grace is among the honorees.

"I'm not at all surprised Patrick is among the Most Admired CEOs in Oklahoma," said CFO Preston O'Brien.

His leadership of OEC and OEC Fiber is unmatched, and we are proud to call him our own.

The 28 Most Admired CEO selections, as well as two financial stewardship award recipients, will be recognized at the 12th annual Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs & Financial Stewardship Awards event. The virtual celebration will be held on June 28.

CEOs and CFOs are honored in three categories – public company, private company and nonprofit. An overall winner will be chosen from each category and announced during the event.

“CEOs and CFOs are the driving force behind a business’s success or failure,” said Journal Record Interim Editor Joe Dowd. “They are the decision-makers whose actions can alter the fate of a company, as well as the community they serve. The Journal Record wants to recognize these leaders and let our audience know what makes them tick.”

Since taking the reigns in 2016, Grace has carefully guided OEC into a new era of service with the creation of OEC Fiber. He challenges OEC's leaders to become better leaders so the entire OEC team can provide the best, most reliable electric and broadband service.

"To say the board and I are proud of Patrick for being recognized as one of the Most Admired CEOs is an understatement," said OEC Board of Trustees President Rusty Grissom. "Not only is Patrick an outstanding CEO for employees, members and its governing board, but he is also an amazing family man and has a huge passion for serving our community. Congratulations Patrick on a job well done!"

Congratulations, Patrick, and thank you for your 21 years of dedicated service!