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March 5, 2013

Leadership Oklahoma honors First American Bank

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Leadership Oklahoma honored First American Bank with the Business Leadership Award at its annual Excellence in Leadership Gala on Feb. 23 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.

More than 270 people from across the state were present at the event chaired by Rick and Paula Huck, of Tulsa.

The bank was honored for its impact in promoting leadership principles and practices while implementing programs worthy of example. First American Bank is an Oklahoma-owned bank with nine central and western Oklahoma locations, headquartered in Norman. 

Over the last 12 months, First American Bank has donated to nearly 200 organizations and provided countless volunteer hours within their communities. Bank employees have visited area schools volunteering their skills and expertise to students in an effort to improve financial literacy.

Kristin Collins, president of the United Way of Norman, presented the award to Jim McAuley, the bank’s chairman and CEO.

In addition to the Business Leadership Award, Leadership Oklahoma also presented awards for Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Graduate and Statewide Community Leadership. All four awards are designed to honor state leaders and entities that make a meaningful difference in Oklahoma.

This year’s Leadership Oklahoma Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Charles Hollar, posthumously, of Ponca City, for his work establishing the Great Expectations program in Oklahoma.

The Distinguished Graduate Award went to Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

The Statewide Community Award acknowledged the Oklahoma City Thunder as the organization that has reached across valued differences to develop a sense of common purpose and a more profound sense of loyalty to the state. 

Leadership Oklahoma is a statewide organization with more than 1,280 graduates from 164 Oklahoma communities whose mission is to create, inspire and support a dynamic network of leaders whose increased awareness and commitment to service will energize Oklahomans to shape the future.

“We were humbled to be counted among such notable Oklahomans who have made significant contributions to our state,” McAuley said. “We hope to continue to live up to the honor this award bestows so we can do our part in making our communities and our state better for all Oklahomans.”

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