Welcome to MUSKOGEE
July 13, 2011
Indian Capital Technology Center
8:30am Opening Session
Ann Brizendine
“Ingredients of Leadership”
A humorous look at what women need to consider and remember about being in leadership positions.
Ann Brizendine has served as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee for the past ten years. Rev. Brizendine has worked with several social and women’s issues over the years including; teen pregnancy prevention, domestic violence, victims of sexual violence and homelessness. Ann has just completed an extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education offered through Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center. Rev. Brizendine has previous experience in sales, motivation and time management and employee training programs in industry. Ann is married to Gary Brizendine and they have three children, one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.
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9:45am
Jan Bryant
“Welcome to Pooh’s World:
Understanding Different Personality Types”
In this session, Jan uses a very whimsical and entertaining way to help you understand the different personality types and how they interact.
Jan Bryant is the Head Librarian of the Muskogee Public Library with over 24 years experience in Library Services. Jan has a Masters in Library Science and a Bachelors of Arts with a major in English. She is a Presenter for Oklahoma Department of Libraries - Library Certification Classes and is very involved with the community as a Member of the Muskogee Noon Rotary Club; Muskogee Chamber of Commerce; and the Muskogee Nighthawks Squadron - Oklahoma Civil Air Patrol.
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Dr. Gina Caravaglia, MT (ASCP), DO
“Health Issues Associated with ‘Hurried Woman Syndrome’”
Dr. Caravaglia will define “Hurried Woman Syndrome”, explain how to identify it and discuss the short and long-term health effects of this condition.
Dr. Gina Caravaglia is certified by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine and has her Certificate of completion from the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. She was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and attended medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving her Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon DO degree. She also attended Medical Technology School at Saint Vincent School of Medical Technology receiving her MT (ASCP) degree.
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Phyllis Spriggs
“Sticking Your Neck Out: Leadership lessons learned from giraffes”
In this session, you’ll learn how to be thick-skinned, different and above all the others by sticking your neck out.
Phyllis Spriggs is a certified Human Resource Professional and former Dale Carnegie instructor. She has coached, counseled and advised employees and managers for over 27 years. A graduate of NSU, Phyllis has been an active leader in HR professional associations at both the local and state level and has served on the Board of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce and the Eastern Workforce Investment Board where she was named Business Leader of the Year in 2006. Phyllis currently conducts leadership training at Indian Capital Technology Center.
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11:00am
Dr. Barbara Rackley
“How To Be A Successful Entrepreneur”
In this session, Barbara will address business issues that women face and how to overcome these challenges.
Barbara Rackley is the coordinator at REI’s Women’s Business Center assisting women entrepreneurs wishing to start or expand a business. An native Oklahoman, Barbara completed degrees in Home Economics Education from OSU and Southeastern Oklahoma State University acquiring a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at OSU. Ms. Rackley spent nearly 30 years teaching at high school and university levels. She has been active in many professional organizations serving in local, state and national positions and was named the 2004 SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year.
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Jana Christian
“The Winning Edge”
This comprehensive seminar equips individuals with skills and information that will boost their confidence and finesse in business and social dining settings. Topics include: American and Continental Styles of Dining, Decoding the Place Setting, Napkin Savvy, Handling Difficult Foods, The Art of Toasts, The Role of a Host, The Role of a Guest, Mix & Mingle with Ease, and much more.
Jana Christian is a leading expert in the etiquette and protocol industry. She has been a speaker, teacher and consultant in this arena for more than twenty years and founded The Etiquette School of Oklahoma. Ms. Christian holds a national certification from the prestigious American School of Protocol and is affiliated with the American Business Etiquette Trainers Association. She has extensive experience in sales, management and education, is involved in Toastmasters International and is a certified judge for the Miss America pageant organization.
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Phyllis Spriggs
“Sticking Your Neck Out: Leadership lessons learned from giraffes”
In this session, you’ll learn how to be thick-skinned, different and above all the others by sticking your neck out.
Phyllis Spriggs is a certified Human Resource Professional and former Dale Carnegie instructor. She has coached, counseled and advised employees and managers for over 27 years. A graduate of NSU, Phyllis has been an active leader in HR professional associations at both the local and state level and has served on the Board of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce and the Eastern Workforce Investment Board where she was named Business Leader of the Year in 2006. Phyllis currently conducts leadership training at Indian Capital Technology Center.
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12:00pm Lunch and Keynote Address
“Taking Care of Fashion” Business Show presented by LeAnne Cox and Ed Wilson of Dillard’s Department Store. There will be two, $200 wardrobe vouchers redeemable at Dillard’s Department Store in Muskogee given away during lunch!
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kara Gae Neal
“Have We Really Come A Long Way, Baby?”
Remember the Virginia Slims’ cigarette slogan, “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby? Things HAVE changed…Nobody smokes anymore. We may be healthier, but are we strong in the workplace? A review of where we have been, where we are going and tips on how to get the next career boost you want.
Dr. Kara Gae Neal is Superintendent and CEO of Tulsa Tech with over 30 years of experience as a professional educator. Dr. Neal began her teaching career in Woodbridge, Virginia and returned to Dewey, Oklahoma as an English teacher. Moving to Tulsa to work on a doctorate, she became an administrative intern to the Graduate Dean at the University of Tulsa. She next served as Assistant Principal at Broken Arrow High School and later advanced to become Principal of North Intermediate. Dr. Neal became the Superintendent at Glenpool Public Schools and later was elected as the last serving Tulsa County Superintendent of Schools holding the position for seven years. From there she became Superintendent of Metro Tech Vocational-Technical Center in Oklahoma City. After seven years she returned to the private sector as a volunteer and educational consultant. She is active with numerous civic activities and non-profit organizations. Dr. Neal officially became the Superintendent and CEO of Tulsa Tech on July 1, 2008. She serves as only the third superintendent in the school’s history.
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2:00pm
Jana Christian
“Techno Etiquette”
The use of telephones, cell phones, Speakerphones, voice mail, email and faxes has become a way of life in business. However, the rules of etiquette have not always kept pace with the innovations of technology. When it comes to your business communications, it is important to make an impression, that you are a credible professional and someone who will be trustworthy and competent.
Jana Christian is a leading expert in the etiquette and protocol industry. She has been a speaker, teacher and consultant in this arena for more than twenty years and founded The Etiquette School of Oklahoma. Ms. Christian holds a national certification from the prestigious American School of Protocol and is affiliated with the American Business Etiquette Trainers Association. She has extensive experience in sales, management and education, is involved in Toastmasters International and is a certified judge for the Miss America pageant organization.
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Dr. Sandy Locke
“Maintaining Confidence and Self-esteem
in a Male-Dominated Society”
In this session, Dr. Locke discusses what causes low self-esteem in women and explains how current family dynamics and lifestyles lead to the verbal and emotional abuse of women. Dr. Locke will talk about the effects of low self-esteem in the workplace and how to deal with it.
Sandy Locke is a licensed psychologist. She was born and raised in Muskogee and has spent the majority of her life here. Sandy is married to Bob, an attorney. They have four sons and seven granddaughters. Dr. Locke’s employment history includes work in agencies, universities, forensics and private practice. For the last three years she has been employed as Team Leader for Addictions at Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center here in Muskogee. Sandy also serves on the board of directors of Monarch, Inc.
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Jan Bryant
“Welcome to Pooh’s World:
Understanding Different Personality Types”
In this session, Jan uses a very whimsical and entertaining way to help you understand the different personality types and how they interact.
Jan Bryant is the Head Librarian of the Muskogee Public Library with over 24 years experience in Library Services. Jan has a Masters in Library Science and a Bachelors of Arts with a major in English. She is a Presenter for Oklahoma Department of Libraries - Library Certification Classes and is very involved with the community as a Member of the Muskogee Noon Rotary Club; Muskogee Chamber of Commerce; and the Muskogee Nighthawks Squadron - Oklahoma Civil Air Patrol.
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3:00pm
2011 LEGENDS
Marjorie Szabo
was born in Keefeton, Oklahoma at her grandparents home in the back of the local grocery store. Her family remained in Keefeton until they moved to Muskogee when she was 16 years old. She has loved living, working and raising a family in Muskogee. Marjorie shared her passion for the Muskogee Area, working on staff for several civic organizations and managing the Muskogee Civic Center after its completion in 1967. She spent 16 years with the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce as administrative assistant and office manager. Marjorie says she enjoyed the Chamber more than any other career, working with business people in the community to create a better business environment for Muskogee. Ms. Szabo has been retired for many years but has been called a “professional volunteer”. Marjorie has spent countless hours volunteering for the Tourist Information Center, the Muskogee Garden Club and numerous other local organizations. She is also very passionate about the Arts, dedicating much of her time and talents to furthering The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Muskogee Little Theatre. Her positive attitude and “get-it-done” mentality have inspired younger women for many years.
Leona Mitchell
has emerged as one of America’s most beloved and celebrated Sopranos. Ms. Mitchell spent 18 seasons as a leading Spinto Soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York where she essayed many dramatic and lyrical roles. Ms. Mitchell has sung for US Presidents Reagan, Ford, Carter, Clinton and Bush, Sr., when he was Vice President. Leona sang at some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses all over the world and has collaborated with many of the world’s greatest conductors and their symphonies. She is a highly regarded recitalist having been presented in concert at New York’s Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Los Angeles Music Center and concert halls in Geneva, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris and Australia also making appearances on television and starring with Luciano Pavarotti in a film called “Yes Giorgio”. Her fellow Oklahomans have bestowed on her awards from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Jazz Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2003, Governor Brad Henry named her Oklahoma’s Cultural Ambassador. Leona holds a Bachelor’s in Music from OCU and two honorary Doctorates: one from OU and the other from OCU. Ms. Mitchell also attended the Masters program at the Julliard School of Music. Leona is married to Elmer Bush, who is also her manager. They have one son, Elmer Bush IV.
Ann Barker Ong
currently serves as Vice President of CCOM Medical Group and is actively involved in various community groups. She has served on the Bacone College Board of Trustees since 2001 and has served as its Chair since 2007. She is a member of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the Success Expo and Vision committees. Ann was born and educated in Kentucky, graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts. She taught English at schools in Kentucky and West Virginia before moving to Muskogee with her husband Yee Se Ong, M.D., a cardiologist, in 1979. They have one daughter, Jasmine, and one son, Emil. Ann is an avid supporter for the development of the arts and culture in Muskogee and advocates for access to the arts for everyone. She is a member of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), and a supporter of Muskogee Little Theatre, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Five Civilized Tribes Museum and Three Rivers Museum. She is also an avid reader and a member of the New Century Club (a book club that was established in Muskogee, Indian Territory in September 1902) as well as being a champion of the new Muskogee Public Library project and a member of its building committee. Ong holds a Masters from Long Island University in New York and an honorary doctorate from Bacone College.
ShIronbutterfly Ray
is the Founder, Director and Programmer of the Bare Bones International Independent Film & Music Festival, the Bare Bones Script-2-Screen Independent Film Festival & Screenwriting Conference and the Bare Bones/Soonercon Sci-Fi/Horror Film Festivals. She has over thirteen years of progressive training and experience in the motion picture industry working on more than twenty productions as Producer, Casting Director, Production Manager, Sound Supervisor, Production Designer, Make-up and Effects Artist, Marketing and Public Relations Consultant. She has been an Actress in more than nine independent movies. ShIron is involved in finding innovative methods to educate, motivate and train the next generation of filmmakers, actors, writers, directors and crew. ShIron holds a Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University, a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills and numerous Certifications in Financial Services and Marketing. She is constantly involved in continuous research for all aspects of the motion picture industry, both major and independent.
