When Deb Marshall, the new Executive Director of the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation (OADC), talks about her journey, it feels like you’re listening to an adventurer’s tale. Her career, spanning healthcare, energy, retail, manufacturing, Chamber of Commerce roles, and even international development in Tanzania, is full of bold colored experiences. The OADC, dedicated to promoting economic growth in the Okmulgee area, now has a leader who has navigated countless paths and brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role. --- The Purpose of OADC The Okmulgee Area Development Corporation aims to boost economic development, attract new businesses, and support existing ones to ensure sustainable growth. By providing resources, strategic planning, and networking opportunities, OADC works tirelessly to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in Okmulgee and its surrounding communities. According to the OADC website, the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation (OADC) is a privately funded organization established in 1996 as a 501(c)3 to promote economic development in Okmulgee County. Serving as a “one-stop shop” for economic development, OADC coordinates efforts with city, county, state, and federal entities to ensure a smooth and straightforward development process. As the leading economic development entity in the county, OADC facilitates the development of industrial, commercial, and retail properties. Additionally, the organization partners with various stakeholders, including state and local governments, educators, training providers, financial institutions, and businesses, to support community development programs and promote the area. OADC’s focus includes retaining existing jobs, encouraging the expansion of current industrial partners, recruiting new industry and business, supporting new start-up firms, and enhancing public education in Okmulgee County with an emphasis on STEM classes from K-12. One of OADC’s core strengths is building and maintaining relationships with other development organizations in and around Okmulgee and throughout Oklahoma. --- Deb Marshall’s Career Journey Early Career & Education “I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Deb Marshall admits. Graduating from high school in 1977, she embarked on a professional journey without a clear career path. Despite societal expectations, she pursued higher education, earning a two-year degree. “I went to college because it was kind of expected and because my friends were going,” she recalls. Her initial foray into the workforce saw her in various roles, including retail and healthcare. “I worked in a children’s hospital’s radiology department, transcribing radiology reports. It was a stepping stone, but I didn’t have a vision or a path,” she says. --- Transitions Marshall’s career took a significant turn when she joined Prime Health, the first Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). “I was a pharmacy technician in a high-volume pharmacy,” she explains. “We were doing 700 prescriptions a day. It was a pretty fast-paced place, and I learned a lot about attention to detail.” From there, she moved into the natural gas industry, working for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. “I thought I was a city girl until I moved to Houston. It was like the land of the Jetsons with all the overpasses. It was before cell phones and GPS, and I had to navigate with a compass and a paper map,” she laughs. Marshall’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to open a consignment shop in a small town in Louisiana, Missouri. “I came from Houston with all the bling and cowboy boots. I opened a shop called The Myriad, selling Southwestern jewelry and consignment clothes. It wasn’t profitable, but it was a place for me to engage with the community,” she reminisces. Later, her administrative skills landed her a role in a local manufacturing plant, marking her entry into the manufacturing sector. “They called me Hollywood because I always had something blingy. I ended up becoming the plant controller, learning cost accounting from scratch,” she recalls. Marshall’s career took another significant turn when she joined the Bixby Chamber of Commerce as a part-time administrative person. “Eventually, the executive director left, and I coled the Bixby Chamber,” she says. This role, from 2001 to 2007, became one of her most cherished positions. “I loved the intellectual and creative blend. It was a time of growth and energy in the community.” In 2007, Marshall was recruited by Mickey Thompson to join the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation. She brought her extensive experience in economic development to Broken Arrow, working closely with community leaders and businesses. When she returned from Tanzania in 2018, she reconnected with Court Newkirk, who saw the potential in her diverse skill set. “Court knew what I brought to the table. He invited me to work parttime at OADC,” she recalls. Marshall quickly became an integral part of the two man team, eventually stepping into the role of Assistant Director. Taking over as Executive Director upon Court Newkirk’s retirement in 2023, Marshall brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement and listening to local needs. “I learned in Tanzania that people have the answers; they just need resources. It’s about sitting with them and asking, ‘What do you need?’ rather than telling them what to do,” she explains. Marshall’s focus on practical solutions is clear when she discusses OADC’s strategy. “We have to be realistic about what we can offer. If a company needs a million gallons of water a day, we can’t provide that. It’s about matching our capabilities with the right opportunities,” she says. --- A New Day Deb Marshall’s appointment as Executive Director of the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation is an exciting new chapter for the organization. Her journey, from the bustling pharmacies of Kansas City to the dusty roads of Tanzania, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. Under her leadership, OADC is poised to continue its mission of promoting sustainable economic growth, guided by Marshall’s unique insights and deep commitment to community engagement. In her words, “I’ve learned that every stage of life brings connections and lessons. It’s all about taking what you’ve learned and applying it to where you are now. I’m excited to see what we can achieve here in Okmulgee.” Stay tuned for future updates as we follow Deb Marshall and the journey with OADC as we look forward to many exciting developments and success stories in the months and years to come. For information, you can visit www.chooseokmulgee. com.