DeBee Gilchrist recently announced that Blaine M. Peterson, Norman, has been named a shareholder of the firm.

Peterson's practice encompasses a broad range of business matters, including tax planning and controversies, comprehensive estate planning and business valuation. In addition to earning his juris doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1999, he obtained a bachelor's of business administration in accounting from the University of Oklahoma in 1994. Peterson also is a certified public accountant and certified valuation analyst.

Allyson Crank has been named Employee of the Month at First State Bank's Noble location. Crank, Loan Operations Assistant/Loan Teller since June 2008, joined the bank's staff in 2007. A Noble High School graduate, she studied Mathematics while attending the University of Oklahoma. Crank attends Oklahoma City Community College where she is earning her banking certificate. She resides in Noble.

"This is the second time in the last eight months Allyson has been named Employee of the Month," says Kim King, CEO of First State Bank. "Allyson is always eager to serve our customers with a friendly, confident and helpful attitude. She interacts with our staff in the same way while performing her responsibilities in a most professional and caring manner," said King.

Vicki Clary, personal banker and teller supervisor, has been named First State Bank's Norman branch Employee of the Month. Clary has been on staff at First State Bank since 2003. She became a full-time teller in 2004 followed by a promotion to Bank Services Representative before advancement to her current responsibilities in 2006. Kim King, First State's CEO/Chairman of the Board states, "Vicki works diligently to deliver our promise of treating everyone the way we would want to be treated. She is very talented and it's apparent in her personality and work ethic that she cares about others. Vicki bolsters FSB's long-standing reputation of a caring, friendly, community bank," King said.

Clary continues her banking education by attending banking seminars and courses including classes on savings products and services, loans and customer appreciation/retention seminars. Mrs. Clary and husband of 15 years, Gerry, have a combined family of five plus three grandchildren.



The governing board of the Oklahoma Health Care Workforce Center (OHCWC) has appointed Jim Durbin as the executive director for the organization. Durbin will lead efforts to establish and position the Center to address both current and future health care workforce needs in Oklahoma. His position became effective on January 27.

"We are delighted to have Jim onboard with the Oklahoma Health Care Workforce Center. He brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience to his new role," said Dr. Phil Berkenbile, chair of the OHCWC governing board and state director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

Previously, Durbin has served as the executive director of the INTEGRIS Rural Health Foundation where he worked with hospital presidents across the state. He worked specifically to identify ways to increase philanthropic giving for each of the nine rural INTEGRIS hospitals, while managing campaigns, overseeing the development production and distribution of fundraising proposals, and implementing a redesigned governance structure for bylaws and certificates of incorporation.

From 2002-2006, Durbin exemplified his leadership skills in his role as the director of institutional advancement at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School. He increased the school's enrollment by 30 percent, raised $6 million for an endowment (including $4 million from co-sponsors) and had the school operating more successfully within two years. Durbin also has experience in budgeting, financial analysis, proposal writing and marketing reports, which will complement him in his new position at the Center.



First Fidelity Bank Names Office Manager

Brakebill to oversee West Moore Office operations



First Fidelity Bank has named Tammy Brakebill Assistant Vice President, Office Manager, for the bank's West Moore Office located at 11919 S. Pennsylvania Ave.

Brakebill brings more than 20 years of banking experience to her new position, including 12 years of experience with First Fidelity as the bank's Merchant Services Manager.

As Office Manager, Brakebill is responsible for oversight and management of the bank office as well as client development and retention.

Brakebill will continue to serve as First Fidelity Bank's Merchant Services Manager.

First Fidelity Bank, N.A., a nationally chartered bank established in 1920, is a family-owned, privately held full-service financial institution. Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2010, the bank has grown to 28 offices serving the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Phoenix and Scottsdale metro markets. With total assets of more than $1 billion, First Fidelity provides commercial and retail banking, investment and trust services, mortgage origination and merchant services. For more information, visit www.first-fidelity.com.



McClain Bank has announced the promotions of

several key employees in different areas of the Bank. New officers

include Tina Tucker, Assistant Cashier and Kaona Mixon, AVP/Technology. Tucker joined McClain Bank in 1997 as a teller and in the mail department. She then worked as a teller at McClain Bank's Lexington Branch for several years. Recently she has taken on the responsibility of training new tellers and is Co-Supervisor of the Tellers. Tucker is actively involved with the Purcell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and lives in Purcell with her son, Toby, who is a Junior at Purcell High School. Mixon began working at McClain Bank in 1995 in the Bookkeeping Department and transferred to the Proof Department later that year. She has continued to work in the Technology Department for 14 years and has stayed abreast of the many technological changes in the banking

industry. Mixon currently lives in Lexington with her husband of 16 years, Terry, and their daughter, Brooklyn, who is a seventh grader at Lexington Junior High. They stay busy with Brooklyn's activities and are members of the First Baptist Church in Lexington. They also have three older children; Shane -- Felicia Mixon of Lexington, Kristi Adkins of Lindsay, Skye Uhlenhake and husband James of Noble and seven grandchildren who range in ages from 11 years to 9 months.

McClain Bank is located in Purcell and other branches are located in Norman, Lexington and Noble. McClain Bank has been serving customers in McClain and Cleveland Counties for over 85 years.

-- Transcript Staff