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March 10, 2013

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The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — CART promotes two

CART recently announced the promotion of planner and grant specialist Cody Ponder, an OU graduate, to assistant director for OU Transportation Services. Karleene Smith of Norman, a longtime planner in the transit industry, was hired as the new planner and grant specialist.

Ponder, a native of Lone Grove, began his career at CART in 2006 as the planner and grant specialist.

He served as director of transportation at Norman Public Schools in 2007, but returned to CART after just a few months.

He sees his new role as more administrative and is working on the transition to a new CART transfer station in May.

Ponder said he enjoys working at the university and living in Norman, and working at CART brings both of those worlds together.

Smith, originally from Oklahoma, returned to the state to attend college at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.

She holds a master’s degree in geography and planning from the University of New Mexico. She began her career in planning in Albuquerque, N.M., moving to Auburn, Ala., then New Orleans where she worked for a planning and engineering consulting firm.

Patrice Douglas appointed to

Arvest OKC board

Arvest Bank announced the appointment of Patrice Douglas to the Arvest Bank Oklahoma City Board of Directors.

 Douglas joins the Arvest Oklahoma City Board of Directors, which currently consists of  Bill Fowler, Melvin C. Hall, June O’Steen, Steve Owens, Iva Salmon, Steve Shawn, Lindy Ritz, Bradley W. Krieger and Kelly Brander.

“Patrice brings a wealth of experience and expertise in banking and economics. We believe she will be a key contributor in leading Arvest Oklahoma City towards continued success,” said Brander, president of Arvest Bank Oklahoma City.

 A native Oklahoman, Douglas attended Oklahoma Christian University and went on to receive her law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Douglas practiced law full-time for 13 years until she joined her family’s business, ACP Sheet Metal.

During her five years at ACP, she served as vice president and general counsel.

 Douglas later entered the banking industry, serving as president of SpiritBank, and executive vice president of First Fidelity Bank.

In 2009, she was elected mayor of Edmond, serving two consecutive terms. In May 2011, she was appointed to the Oklahoma Bankers Association Board of Directors, and in September 2011 Governor Mary Fallin appointed her to serve as Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.

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