Speakers: 
Mike Koehler
New Media Director, Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR
@mkokc
Mike Koehler brings more than 15 years of journalism experience to Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR. He joined the firm in 2009 as new media director. In this role, he counsels the firm and its clients to assess how to best use social media for each campaign or project.
Before joining the firm, Koehler served as multimedia editor of The Oklahoman, a statewide newspaper with a circulation of over 200,000 daily. In this capacity, he oversaw the coordination of content between print and online editions in the news, features, business and sports departments. Often utilizing social media, he produced Web videos, podcasts and special news presentations for The Oklahoman’s Web site.
Koehler also previously served as deputy sports editor of The Oklahoman, where he supervised coverage of college and professional sports.
Koehler has a vast knowledge of different social media outlets, including social networking sites and blogs. He has more than 1,950 followers on Twitter and consistently ranks among the top 20 in Oklahoma City for the most followers. He spoke at a national conference on social media in New York in the summer of 2009.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, English; Missouri State University
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Leader, Pack 27, Boy Scouts of America
- Volunteer, Kids’ Ministry, People’s Church, Oklahoma City
- Volunteer, Will Rogers Elementary PTA
Acknowledgements
- Former chairman, Great Plains Region, AP Sports Editors
- Various Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Awards
Karen Wicker
Senior Vice President, Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR
@kwicker
Oklahoma native Karen Wicker has a 22-year background in media relations, health care marketing, corporate and alumni relations and donor development. Wicker joined Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR in 2006 and now serves as senior vice president of the Oklahoma City office. In this capacity, she oversees all phases of the company’s Oklahoma City operations, including client relations, business development and community activism. She provides strategic counsel to leaders in business, higher education and health care, including hands-on media and public speaking training.
Before joining the firm, Wicker managed external relations for the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. In addition, she previously worked as a broadcast journalist, where the Associated Press honored her for her work. She also created the syndicated television health series “Medical Minute,” which ran on the CBS and PBS affiliates in Oklahoma.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, Journalism; University of Oklahoma
- Master of Human Relations; University of Oklahoma
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Member and graduate, Leadership Oklahoma
- Member, Rotary Club of Oklahoma City
- Member of the executive committee and board, The Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, 2010
Acknowledgements
- Silver Link, Public Relations Society of America, 2007
- Award of Merit, Public Relations Society of America, 2007
- Bronze Quill, International Association of Business Communicators, 2006
- Award of Appreciation for Innovative Media, Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, 2000
Joe Dorman
Representative, Oklahoma House of Representatives
@dorman340
Rep. Joe Dorman (D-Rush Springs) received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Oklahoma State University where he was active as chairman of the OSU Student Senate, vice-president of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, senior senator for the Interfraternity Council and vice-president of the Intercollegiate Knights, the OSU branch of the National Sophomore Honor Society. He also completed course work at the University of Central Oklahoma, continuing his education towards a master's degree while working at the State Capitol.
Dorman most recently served as the special projects coordinator for the House of Representatives staff. In this position, he served as the lead staff member for the Legislator Back to School Week Program, International Student Awareness Day, the Pageville Mock Legislature and provided a daily bill summary for the representatives regarding their legislation. Dorman resigned from the House of Representatives in 2002 to seek the state representative position in House District 65 following the retirement of long-term State Rep. Jim Glover.
Besides his legislative duties, Dorman works as an independent researcher and consultant for various organizations in the governmental and political fields where he analyzes legislation and voting records for candidates around the country.
Dorman is a member of the Rules Committee, the Appropriations and Budget Committee, the Administrative Rule Review Committee and the Common Education Committee. He also serves as the House vice-chair for the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, an affiliate of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science; Oklahoma State University
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Member, Rush Springs Lions Club
- Member, Bricktown Rotary
- Member, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks
- Member, American Farmers & Ranchers
- Member, American Institute of Parliamentarians
- Volunteer, Future Business Leaders of America
Acknowledgements
- Grady County 4-H Alumni of the Year, 2003
- Grady County 4-H Hall of Fame, 1988
- National 4-H Winner, Entomology, 1989
- Honorary Member, Elgin FFA
Brian Downs
Executive Director, Oklahomans for Responsible Government
@DOWNSOKC
Brian Downs serves as executive director for Oklahomans for Responsible Government. Downs leads efforts with legislative and political strategy, as well as program development and overseeing daily operations.
Prior to joining OFRG, Downs served as legislative director for the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2003 to 2006. Downs has also worked for former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating and in the Office of Strategic Initiatives at the White House.
Downs is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where he played two years of collegiate golf, served as student body president and was elected to the Oklahoma Council for Higher Education Student Advisory Board.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, Corporate Communications; University of Central Oklahoma
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Oklahoma March of Dimes
- Edmond Young Professionals
- Presidential Associates - University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association
Jason Murphey
Representative, Oklahoma House of Representatives
@jwmurphey
First elected in 2006, Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) is the chairman of the House Modernization Committee where he has championed the cause of smaller government and reduced government spending. Murphey was re-elected in 2008 with nearly 13,000 votes which set a record for number of votes received by a House District 31 Representative.
Murphey started his own business at the age of 19 and started his second in 2000. In 2001, Murphey was elected Guthrie City Councilman. He worked two jobs to pay his way through college while balancing the duties of a city councilman, small business owner and family man.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies; Charter Oak State College
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Member, National Rifle Association
- Member, Church of God Outreach
Acknowledgements
- Toastmasters International's highest award for communication and leadership, 2002
- Graduated with national honors
Laura Wheeler
Web Site Manager, The State Chamber of Oklahoma
@lwheeler
Wheeler has 15 years of experience in chamber work. She came to The State Chamber in 2004 and previously worked for The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
During the past five years, she moved steadily from receptionist to administrative assistant for three managers simultaneously. Then in 2007, after completing rigorous training, she became The State Chamber’s Web site manager.
Since then, Wheeler has re-designed three of the twelve Web sites that she manages. She also developed a social media policy for The State Chamber and maintains three Twitter accounts, a Facebook account and two Facebook pages. Wheeler also serves as the “official” videographer and photographer for The State Chamber.
Education
• Certified Internet Web Professional
Michael Cross
Capitol Bureau Chief, KOSU Radio
@KOSUMichaelC
Michael Cross covers the state legislature as the capitol bureau chief for KOSU Radio.
Before taking the position at KOSU, he reported on Oklahoma City and county government with News Radio 1000 KTOK. Cross has also worked for KOKH Fox 25 and KWTV News 9.
Cross received a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma. He also has an associate degree in theatre arts from Oklahoma City Community College.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast/Journalism; University of Central Oklahoma
- Associate of Arts, Theatre Arts; Oklahoma City Community College
Professional Organizations and Memberships
Paul Monies
Database Editor, The Oklahoman
@pmonies
Paul Monies has been the database editor for The Oklahoman since 2007. He is responsible for maintaining the newsroom’s databases for everything from voter information and state finances to inspections and campaign finance.
Monies also writes the DataWatch blog about open government and data at http://blog.newsok.com/datawatch and maintains NewsOK's Your Right to Know page at www.newsok.com/righttoknow.
Monies has worked at newspapers in Texas and Missouri and spent five years as a business reporter for The Oklahoman. He is a native of Scotland who graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Education - Bachelor of Arts, Communications; Stephen F. Austin State University
- Master of Arts, Journalism; University of Missouri School of Journalism
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors
- Member, Freedom of Information Oklahoma Inc.
Acknowledgements
- National Freedom of Information Award, Society of Professional Journalists, 2009
- Sigma Delta Chi Award, Society of Professional Journalists, 2009
- Distinguished Service to the First Amendment Award, Society of Professional Journalists, 2009
Dick Pryor
Deputy Director/Managing Editor
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA)
@ONR
Dick Pryor is an Emmy award-winning journalist who is host and managing editor of Oklahoma Forum, A Conversation With…, and On the Record. He also anchors the Oklahoma News Report. A native of Norman, Pryor currently serves as a deputy director for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), Oklahoma’s public television network. He began anchoring the Oklahoma News Report in 1990 and served as OETA news and public affairs manager from 2002 to 2007.
While at OETA, Pryor anchored statewide election coverage every two years beginning in 1990 and hosted numerous programs including The People’s Business, Legislative Week, Oklahomans Against Fraud, Ask a Lawyer, State of the State, gubernatorial inaugurations and debates involving candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.
He was managing editor and anchor of OETA’s 2008 general election night program which earned the 2009 Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcaster’s Award for first place in Election Coverage. He spearheaded OETA’s Voter Voices project which was chosen to receive the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 2009 My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement. In 2008, he received a Heartland Emmy award for his role as talent in OETA’s Oklahoma World II project. His documentary, Oklahoma World War II Stories, was also nominated for an Emmy.
In 2007, Pryor served as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Radio-TV Journalism; University of Oklahoma
- Juris Doctor; University of Oklahoma
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Oklahoma March of Dimes
- Edmond Young Professionals
- Presidential Associates - University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association
Acknowledgements
- Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, 2009
- Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcaster’s Award, Election Coverage, 2009
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting, My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement, 2009
- Heartland Emmy, 2008
- Additional Emmy nominations
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