OCTOBER 2008

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – November 6 Holiday Dinner

Governor Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry will host Roundtable members and spouses/guests at the annual Holiday Reception and Dinner at the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, November 6.

FEDERAL RESERVE OFFICIAL/TOP STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS ADDRESS ROUNDTABLE

Tom Hoenig, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and two of Oklahoma’s top student entrepreneurs were featured speakers at the Roundtable membership meeting held October 7th at the Governor’s Mansion.

A record Roundtable attendance of 95 also heard state finance and economic development reports from Governor Brad Henry, Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley.

Keynote speaker Hoenig discussed the role of the Federal Reserve Board, provided Roundtable members with a comprehensive overview of the financial crisis and addressed questions from the audience. He indicated that all measures are being taken to secure the nation’s economy. He praised Oklahoma’s banking community and leadership. (Special thanks to Roundtable and former Federal Reserve member, Hans Helmerich, for helping secure Dr. Hoenig’s appearance).

The 10th District (Kansas City) office directs Federal Reserve activities in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and portions of New Mexico and Missouri.

Also addressing the Roundtable were student entrepreneurs Michelle Witt (University of Tulsa) and Brendon Quick (University of Oklahoma), who discussed their award winning projects in the recent i2e Donald W. Reynold’s Governor’s Cup Competition. Witt’s company, Cryptech Solutions is commercializing Red Vault, a hardware encryption device for document imaging machines. Quick presented Synthesized Nano Coatings, a patented nanotechnology-based fabric enhancing treatment for use with cotton.

In other business, Chairman Al Dearmon and the Roundtable executive committee approved plans for a 7th “Oklahoma Invitational” golf tourney to be held in the fall of 2009. This is a major business retention, expansion and recruitment event targeted to key executives. The Roundtable will support Lt. Governor Jari Askins with an upcoming economic development mission to Japan.

FIRST EVER IAMC REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE HELD IN OKLAHOMA – MAJOR SUCCESS

Over 300 global real estate and site location consultants visited downtown Oklahoma City September 13-17 for the Fall Professional Forum of the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC).

The Industrial Asset Management Council is the leading association of industrial asset management and corporate real estate executives, their suppliers and service providers and economic developers.

This was the first ever meeting of this prestigious organization in Oklahoma. The Business Roundtable, several of its members and staff of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce played a key role in supporting the conference. Initial surveys of conference participants (many who have never been to Oklahoma) were extremely positive.

Networking receptions were held at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Michelin North America Chairman and President Dick Wilkerson was keynote speaker. While in Oklahoma, he had the opportunity to visit their top U.S. manufacturing facility in Ardmore.

Corporations represented at the conference included 3M, Alcoa, Caterpillar, Deloitte, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, Kimberly Clark, Whirlpool and others.

Roundtable members serving as host sponsors included: Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Metro Tulsa Chamber, Ardmore Development Authority, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, OG&E Electric Services and Mid-America Industrial Park, along with staff from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

ACADEMY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ANNOUNCED

The Business Roundtable is assisting Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley with a special initiative to grow the music industry in Oklahoma.

A major piece of the puzzle was put in place this week when the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) announced formation of the Academy of Contemporary Music, ACM@UCO.

ACM@UCO is partnering with the original Academy of Contemporary Music in England to present what will be the first U.S. endeavor of its type.

ACM@UCO will provide unique educational opportunities for students who aspire to have a career in the music industry, with targeted, innovative classes in both performance and production taught by professionals with real world industry experience.

The Business Roundtable was a sponsor of the announcement press conference and reception.

WELCOME NEW REPRESENTATIVES TO THE ROUNDTABLE

The following are new representatives to the Roundtable: